### Bureau of Labor Statistics U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Phlebotomists Summary
                        
            
                                                        
                                                                
                        
            
            
            
                            
                                                
                                                
                                                
                                                
            						
							
				                                                
                                            




            			phlebotomists imagePhlebotomists draw blood for tests, transfusions, research, or blood donations.							
						Quick Facts:     Phlebotomists2023     Median Pay
            						$41,810     per year
										$20.10     per hourTypical Entry-Level Education
                                    Postsecondary nondegree awardWork Experience in a Related Occupation
                                    NoneOn-the-job Training
                                    NoneNumber of Jobs, 2022
                                    139,400Job Outlook, 2022-32
                                    8% (Faster than average)Employment Change, 2022-32
                                    10,800What Phlebotomists Do
                                                
                        
                        
Phlebotomists draw blood for tests, transfusions, research, or blood donations.
            
                        Work Environment
                        
Phlebotomists are employed in a variety of settings, including hospitals, medical and diagnostic laboratories, blood donor centers, and doctors’ offices.
            
                                                How to Become a Phlebotomist
                                                
                        
Phlebotomists typically enter the occupation with a certificate from a postsecondary phlebotomy program, but some qualify with a high school diploma and on-the-job training. Employers may prefer to hire candidates who have earned professional certification.
            
                        Pay
                        												                            																				    														The median annual wage for phlebotomists was $41,810 in May 2023.									                                					
						
            
                        Job Outlook
                        						
												Employment							of phlebotomists is projected to grow							 8 percent from 2022 to 2032, faster than the average for all occupations.
						About 19,500 openings for phlebotomists are projected each year, on average, over the decade.
            			
            			 Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
						State & Area Data
                       Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for phlebotomists.
            
            
						
                        Similar Occupations
                        
                                                    Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of phlebotomists with similar occupations.
            
            
                        More Information, Including Links to O*NET
                        
                                               
                        Learn more about phlebotomists by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
 What Phlebotomists Do 
            

			phlebotomists imagePhlebotomists talk with patients and donors so they are less nervous about having their blood drawn.			
Phlebotomists draw blood for purposes such as tests, research, or donations. They help patients or donors who are anxious before or have an adverse reaction after the blood draw.
Duties
Phlebotomists typically do the following:
Draw blood from patients or blood donors
Explain their work to help relax patients or donors who feel nervous about having blood drawn
Verify a patient’s or donor’s identity
Label the collected blood for testing or processing
Label sterile containers for other samples, such as urine, and instruct patients on proper collection procedures.
Enter sample information into a database
Assemble, maintain, and dispose of medical instruments such as needles, test tubes, and blood vials
Keep work areas and equipment clean and sanitaryPhlebotomists primarily draw blood, which is then used for different kinds of medical laboratory testing or for procedures, such as transfusions. In medical and diagnostic laboratories, patients sometimes interact only with the phlebotomist. In donation centers or locations that have blood drives, phlebotomists draw blood from donors. Because all blood looks the same, phlebotomists must carefully identify and label the blood they have collected and enter the information into a database.
In addition to drawing blood, phlebotomists also may collect urine or other samples. They instruct patients on procedures for proper collection and ensure that the sample is acceptable and clearly labeled in its container.
Phlebotomists must keep their work area and instruments clean and sanitary to avoid causing infections or other complications. Some phlebotomists also ship or transport blood or other samples to different locations.
 Work Environment
			phlebotomists imagePhlebotomists work mainly in hospitals, medical and diagnostic laboratories, and doctor’s offices.			

	    
				
	
	
	
	
	
	
	    					 Phlebotomists held about 139,400 jobs in 2022. The largest employers of phlebotomists were as follows:
        Hospitals; state, local, and private
                34%Medical and diagnostic laboratories
                34All other ambulatory healthcare services
                15Offices of physicians
                7Outpatient care centers
                2Phlebotomists who collect blood donations sometimes travel to different offices or sites in order to set up mobile donation centers. Some phlebotomists travel to long-term care centers or patients’ homes.
Phlebotomists may be required to stand for long periods of time.
Injuries and Illnesses
Phlebotomists must be careful when handling blood, needles, and other medical supplies. Injuries may occur if they are not careful with medical equipment.
Work Schedules
Most phlebotomists work full time. Phlebotomists who work in hospitals and labs may need to work nights, weekends, and holidays.
 How to Become a Phlebotomist

			phlebotomists imageMany employers look for phlebotomists who have completed some kind of professional certification.			
Phlebotomists typically enter the occupation with a certificate from a postsecondary phlebotomy program, but some qualify with a high school diploma and on-the-job training. Employers may prefer to hire candidates who have earned professional certification.
Education and Training
Phlebotomists typically enter the occupation with a postsecondary nondegree award from a phlebotomy program. These programs are available from community colleges, vocational schools, or technical schools and usually take less than 1 year to complete. They involve instruction in anatomy, physiology, and medical terminology and laboratory work and lead to a certificate.
The National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS) and the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) are among the organizations that accredit phlebotomy education programs.
Some employers hire candidates with a high school diploma and train them on the job. Whether through formal education or employer-provided training, the training that all phlebotomists receive includes instruction on how to identify, label, and track blood samples.
Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations
States may require that phlebotomists complete an accredited training program, have a license or certification, or meet other requirements. For specific requirements, contact your state licensing agency.
Some employers prefer to hire phlebotomists who have earned professional certification, such as those offered by professional organizations. Requirements vary by organization but may include education and clinical experience, passing an exam, and practical components, such as drawing blood.
Phlebotomists also may need to have Basic Life Support certification. Those who transport samples may need a driver’s license.
Important Qualities
***Communication skills.***Phlebotomists must be able to clearly explain procedures and provide instruction to patients.
***Compassion.*** Some patients become anxious about having blood drawn, so phlebotomists should be considerate in performing their duties.
***Detail oriented.*** Phlebotomists must draw the correct amount of blood for the tests ordered, carefully label the vials collected, and enter information into a database to avoid misplacing samples or injuring patients.
***Dexterity.*** Phlebotomists must be able to use their equipment efficiently to minimize patients’ discomfort.
***Interpersonal skills.*** Phlebotomists work with other members of the medical staff and must interact with them cooperatively.
***Physical stamina.***Phlebotomists stand for long periods and are often on the move throughout the workday.
 Pay

			



	
 
                                                     
            
    
                PhlebotomistsMedian annual wages, May 2023Total, all occupations$48,060  Other healthcare support occupations$43,330  Phlebotomists$41,810Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics
 

	
	



		
	
	
	
The median annual wage for phlebotomists was $41,810 in May 2023. 


The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $33,310, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $55,330.





		
	    					 In May 2023, the median annual wages for phlebotomists in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:	
        Outpatient care centers
                $46,130Medical and diagnostic laboratories
                45,100Hospitals; state, local, and private
                39,920Offices of physicians
                39,800All other ambulatory healthcare services
                37,750Most phlebotomists work full time. Phlebotomists who work in hospitals and labs may need to work nights, weekends, and holidays.
 Job Outlook

   
        
    
          
        
    
                PhlebotomistsPercent change in employment, projected 2022-32Other healthcare support occupations11%  Phlebotomists8%  Total, all occupations3%Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program
            
            
			 
	
	
	

			Employment				of phlebotomists is projected to grow				 8 percent from 2022 to 2032, faster than the average for all occupations.
			
			About 19,500 openings for phlebotomists are projected each year, on average, over the decade.
			
			 Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
			Employment
	
			
The growing population, with its rising share of older people, will continue to increase demand for medical services, including blood testing.
Blood analysis remains an essential part of medical care, as it is used to check for a wide range of issues. Therefore, demand for phlebotomists will remain high as doctors and other healthcare professionals require bloodwork for analysis and diagnosis.
			

                        Employment projections data for     phlebotomists, 2022-32
                Occupational Title
                        SOC Code
                        Employment, 2022
                        Projected Employment, 2032
                        Change, 2022-32
                        Employment by IndustryPercent
                        NumericSOURCE: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program**Phlebotomists**
			31-9097
			139,400
			150,200
			8
			10,800
			Get data
 State & Area Data **Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)** The Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program produces employment and wage estimates annually for over 800 occupations. These estimates are available for the nation as a whole, for individual states, and for metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas. The link(s) below go to OES data maps for employment and wages by state and area. Phlebotomists **Projections Central** Occupational employment projections are developed for all states by Labor Market Information (LMI) or individual state Employment Projections offices. All state projections data are available at www.projectionscentral.com. Information on this site allows projected employment growth for an occupation to be compared among states or to be compared within one state. In addition, states may produce projections for areas; there are links to each state’s websites where these data may be retrieved. **CareerOneStop** CareerOneStop includes hundreds of occupational profiles with data available by state and metro area. There are links in the left-hand side menu to compare occupational employment by state and occupational wages by local area or metro area. There is also a salary info tool to search for wages by zip code.
 Similar Occupations This table shows a list of occupations with job duties that are similar to those of phlebotomists. Occupation
                Job Duties
                ENTRY-LEVEL EDUCATION
                2023     MEDIAN PAY**Dental Assistants**
            Dental assistants provide patient care, take x rays, keep records, and schedule appointments.
            Postsecondary nondegree award
            $46,540**Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians**
            Clinical laboratory technologists and technicians perform medical laboratory tests for the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disease.
            Bachelor's degree
            $60,780**Medical Assistants**
            Medical assistants complete administrative and clinical tasks, such as scheduling appointments and taking patients’ vital signs.
            Postsecondary nondegree award
            $42,000**Medical Records Specialists**
            Medical records specialists compile, process, and maintain patient files.
            Postsecondary nondegree award
            $48,780**Medical Transcriptionists**
            Medical transcriptionists use electronic devices to convert voice recordings from physicians and other healthcare workers into formal reports.
            Postsecondary nondegree award
            $37,060**Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers**
            Veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers handle routine animal care and help scientists, veterinarians, and others with their daily tasks.
            High school diploma or equivalent
            $36,440**Veterinary Technologists and Technicians**
            Veterinary technologists and technicians do medical tests that help diagnose animals’ injuries and illnesses.
            Associate's degree
            $43,740
 Contacts for More Information
								
For more information about phlebotomy careers, including professional certification, visit
American Medical Technologists (AMT)
American Society of Phlebotomy Technicians, Inc.
American Society for Clinical Pathology
National Center for Competency Testing
National Certification Medical Association
National Healthcareer Association
National Phlebotomy Association
National Phlebotomy Certification Examination
CareerOneStop
For a career video on phlebotomists, visit
Phlebotomists

                                                
                                                        
                                                                                                    O*NET
                                        Phlebotomists
 Suggested citation: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S.  Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Phlebotomists, 
        	 at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/phlebotomists.htm (visited *May 21, 2024*).
 **Last Modified Date:**
                        Wednesday, April 17, 2024


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