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Phlebotomist: pay, job outlook and how to become one

Updated October 23, 2026. Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and O*NET data. Published by Humblebee.

$45,230median pay per year, or $21.75 an hour, May 2025[3]
  1. $35,780lowest 10% earn less
  2. $38,19025th percentile
  3. $45,230median
  4. $48,93075th percentile
  5. $58,780top 10% earn more
Middle half of workers in the inner band[7]Median for all US jobs, $50,980[4]

A phlebotomist draws blood for tests, donations and research, and the usual way in is a certificate program that often takes less than a year[1][2]. The median pay was $45,230 a year in May 2025, below the median for all jobs, and the field is projected to grow faster than average[3][4][5][6].

Job growth, 2025–35
+6.8%[5]
Openings per year
18,000[8]
Typical entry education
Postsecondary nondegree award[9]

How much do phlebotomists make?

The median wage for phlebotomists was $45,230 a year, or $21.75 an hour, in May 2025[3]. Half of workers earned more than that and half earned less[3]. The average (mean) was close to the median at $45,520 a year and $21.88 an hour[10].

That is below the median for all US occupations, which was $50,980[4].

Pay for this job sits in a fairly narrow band. These are the BLS percentile wages[7][11]:

Percentile Per year Per hour
10th $35,780 $17.20
25th $38,190 $18.36
50th (median) $45,230 $21.75
75th $48,930 $23.53
90th $58,780 $28.26

A percentile is a boundary, not a pay step[12]. The lowest-paid 10% earned less than $35,780 a year, and the top 10% earned more than $58,780[7]. The BLS wage survey publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary[12].

These figures count full-time and part-time workers on a wage or salary[13]. They leave out the self-employed, and they do not include the value of benefits like health insurance or retirement contributions[13].

Pay by state and city

California had the highest state median at $56,040[14]. Next came the District of Columbia ($51,980), New York ($50,530), Massachusetts ($50,170) and Oregon ($49,160)[14]. The lowest medians were in Louisiana ($36,120) and Mississippi ($36,290)[14].

The states with the most phlebotomist jobs were California (13,520), Texas (12,820), Florida (10,220), Illinois (7,910) and New York (6,400)[15]. Big job counts do not always mean higher pay. Texas had a median of $40,450 and Florida $40,230, both under the national figure[14][3].

All eight of the best-paying metro areas were in California[16]. Santa Rosa-Petaluma led at $62,350, followed by San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara at $60,600 and Santa Maria-Santa Barbara at $60,290[16].

The New York-Newark-Jersey City area had the most jobs, 7,390, with a median of $49,980[17]. Chicago-Naperville-Elgin (5,310 jobs) and Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim (4,720 jobs) came next[17].

Show median pay in 50 states and DC
StateMedian per yearJobs
California[14]$56,04013,520
District of Columbia$51,980180
New York$50,5306,400
Massachusetts$50,1702,580
Oregon$49,1601,800
Washington$48,8802,820
New Hampshire$48,660630
New Jersey$48,6505,230
Delaware$48,110430
Hawaii$47,750110
North Dakota$47,430220
Colorado$47,1802,420
Wisconsin$46,4703,610
Rhode Island$46,380970
Virginia$46,3403,600
Arizona$46,2603,430
Illinois$46,0107,910
Minnesota$46,0002,090
Vermont$46,000200
Alaska$45,900210
Georgia$45,8405,280
Connecticut$45,8201,630
Nevada$45,7601,300
Maine$45,640500
Montana$45,470370
Pennsylvania$43,9105,510
Maryland$43,4802,040
Idaho$43,4001,010
North Carolina$43,3305,410
Missouri$43,1201,890
New Mexico$42,910760
Kentucky$42,4802,500
Utah$40,6301,680
Texas$40,45012,820
Florida$40,23010,220
Michigan$39,8603,540
Ohio$39,7705,120
South Dakota$39,560320
Nebraska$39,540920
Indiana$39,2502,410
West Virginia$39,2501,530
Kansas$39,1001,120
Oklahoma$39,0301,670
South Carolina$39,0102,760
Tennessee$38,5503,520
Iowa$38,2401,100
Wyoming$38,180190
Arkansas$37,4501,100
Alabama$37,2202,350
Mississippi$36,2901,200
Louisiana$36,1203,410

How to become a phlebotomist

BLS lists a postsecondary nondegree award as the usual education for this job, with no related work experience and no on-the-job training needed on top of it[9]. In practice, the path looks like this:

1) Finish high school, since some employers hire people with a diploma and teach them on the job[18]. 2) Complete a phlebotomy program at a community college, vocational school or technical school[2]. These programs usually last under 1 year[2]. Classes cover anatomy, physiology and medical terms, plus lab work, and you finish with a certificate[2]. 3) Learn to identify, label and track samples, which every phlebotomist is trained to do, whether in school or at work[18]. 4) Check your state's rules, because your state may require an accredited program, a license, a certification or other steps[19]. Your state licensing agency has the details[19]. 5) Think about professional certification, which some employers prefer[20][21]. Certifying groups set their own rules, which may include schooling, clinical experience, an exam and a hands-on blood draw[21].

You may also need Basic Life Support certification, and a driver's license if you carry samples from place to place[22].

O*NET rates the job as needing medium preparation (Job Zone Three)[23]. That sounds like more than the short certificate BLS describes, while BLS gives the more specific program length of under 1 year[2].

The qualities BLS stresses are clear communication with patients, kindness toward anxious patients, careful attention to labels and amounts, steady hands, good teamwork and the stamina to be on your feet much of the day[24][25][26][27][28][29].

What phlebotomists do

Phlebotomists collect blood for lab tests, transfusions, donations and research[1]. They may also explain the draw to patients and help anyone who reacts badly to it[1]. Common tasks include[30]:

Job titles you may see include phlebotomy technician, patient service technician, mobile examiner and lab liaison technician[31].

Where they work

Hospitals (state, local and private) were the largest employer, with 36% of phlebotomists[32].

Not every phlebotomist stays in one building. Those who handle blood donations sometimes move between sites to set up mobile donation centers, and some visit long-term care centers or patients at home[33].

Most phlebotomists work full time[34]. In hospitals and labs, the schedule may include nights, weekends and holidays[34].

The job is physical. You may stand for long stretches[35]. Phlebotomists also have one of the highest injury and illness rates of any occupation, so careful handling of needles, blood and equipment matters[36].

Job outlook

BLS expects the number of phlebotomist jobs to rise by 6.8% between 2025 and 2035, reaching about 153,700[5]. That is faster than the 3.5% growth projected for all occupations[6].

About 18,000 openings are expected each year, on average[8]. These include jobs that open up when people retire or move into other work, not just new positions[8]. Each year about 4.7% of phlebotomists are expected to leave the workforce and 6.7% to switch to another occupation[37].

The projection counts include self-employed workers, which is one reason they differ from the 143,540 wage and salary jobs in the pay survey[5][38].

Is it a good fit?

Phlebotomy is a short path into healthcare work, since programs usually take less than a year[2]. Pay is modest, with a median of $45,230 against $50,980 for all occupations, though it runs higher in California and some other states[3][4][14]. Growth of 6.8% beats the all-jobs rate, and about 18,000 openings a year point to regular chances to get hired[5][6][8]. It may suit someone who is good with nervous people, careful with details and fine with standing, needles and possibly nights or weekends[25][26][35][34]. For comparison, medical assistants need the same level of entry education and had a median of $45,690 with 12.9% projected growth[39].

Related occupations from O*NET, with BLS median pay and projected growth[39].

Frequently asked questions

How much does a phlebotomist make an hour?
The median hourly wage was $21.75 in May 2025[3]. The lowest-paid 10% earned less than $17.20 and the top 10% earned more than $28.26 an hour[11].
How long does it take to become a phlebotomist?
Phlebotomy certificate programs usually take less than 1 year[2]. Some employers hire high school graduates and train them on the job instead[18].
What degree do you need to be a phlebotomist?
You do not need a college degree. The typical entry education is a postsecondary nondegree award, usually a certificate from a phlebotomy program[9][2].
What is the highest paying state for phlebotomists?
California, with a median of $56,040 a year[14]. Among metro areas with at least 100 phlebotomist jobs, Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA paid the most, at $62,350[16].
Are phlebotomists in demand?
Jobs are projected to grow 6.8% from 2025 to 2035, faster than the 3.5% for all occupations, with about 18,000 openings a year[5][6][8].

Facts and sources

  1. O*NET description of Phlebotomists. O*NET OnLine
  2. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education and Training. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  3. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median wage for Phlebotomists in the US was $45,230 per year and $21.75 per hour. Half of workers earned more and half earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  4. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median annual wage for all occupations in the US was $50,980. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  5. BLS Employment Projections: employment of Phlebotomists is projected to grow 6.8% from 2025 to 2035, from about 143,900 to 153,700 jobs (a change of +9,800). These counts include self-employed workers. BLS Employment Projections
  6. BLS Employment Projections: employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5% from 2025 to 2035. BLS Employment Projections
  7. BLS OEWS, May 2025, annual wage percentiles for Phlebotomists: 10th percentile $35,780, 25th percentile $38,190, 75th percentile $48,930, 90th percentile $58,780. The 10th percentile means 10% of workers earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  8. BLS Employment Projections: about 18,000 openings for Phlebotomists are projected each year, on average, from 2025 to 2035. Openings include jobs that open when workers retire or move to other occupations, not only new jobs. BLS Employment Projections
  9. BLS Employment Projections, typical path into Phlebotomists: education needed for entry: Postsecondary nondegree award; work experience in a related occupation: None; typical on-the-job training: None. BLS Employment Projections
  10. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the mean (average) wage for Phlebotomists was $45,520 per year and $21.88 per hour. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  11. BLS OEWS, May 2025, hourly wage percentiles for Phlebotomists: 10th percentile $17.20, 25th percentile $18.36, 75th percentile $23.53, 90th percentile $28.26. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  12. BLS OEWS FAQ: a percentile wage is a boundary. The median (50th percentile) separates the highest-paid 50% from the lowest-paid 50% of workers in the occupation. OEWS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  13. BLS OEWS FAQ: OEWS covers part-time and full-time workers paid a wage or salary. It does not cover the self-employed, owners and partners in unincorporated firms, household workers or unpaid family workers. OEWS wages do not include nonproduction bonuses or employer costs of benefits such as health insurance or retirement contributions. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  14. Median annual wage for Phlebotomists in every state with published data, May 2025 (table on this page). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  15. BLS OEWS, May 2025, states with the most Phlebotomists jobs: California 13,520; Texas 12,820; Florida 10,220; Illinois 7,910; New York 6,400. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  16. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the highest median annual wage for Phlebotomists (areas with at least 100 jobs): Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA $62,350; San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $60,600; Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA $60,290; Vallejo, CA $59,920; Chico, CA $59,100; San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $58,900; San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA $58,170; Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA $55,740. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  17. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the most Phlebotomists jobs: New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ 7,390 (median $49,980); Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN 5,310 (median $47,190); Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA 4,720 (median $52,940); Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX 3,840 (median $46,480); Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL 3,360 (median $45,210); Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ 2,940 (median $46,260). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  18. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education and Training. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  19. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  20. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  21. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  22. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  23. O*NET 31-9097.00: Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed. Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job. O*NET OnLine
  24. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  25. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  26. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  27. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  28. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  29. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  30. O*NET task list for Phlebotomists. O*NET OnLine
  31. O*NET 31-9097.00 sample job titles reported by workers: Lab Liaison Technician, Mobile Examiner, Patient Service Technician (PST), Phlebotomist Lab Assistant (Phlebotomist Laboratory Assistant), Phlebotomy Technician (Phlebotomy Tech), Registered Phlebotomist, Registered Phlebotomy Technician (RPT). O*NET OnLine
  32. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, largest employers of phlebotomists in 2025: Hospitals; state, local, and private 36%. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  33. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  34. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Work Schedules. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  35. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  36. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Injuries and Illnesses. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  37. BLS Employment Projections, 2025-35 annual average for Phlebotomists: 4.7% of workers leave the labor force each year and 6.7% move to a different occupation. BLS Employment Projections
  38. BLS OEWS, May 2025: about 143,540 people were employed as Phlebotomists in the US (wage and salary jobs, not counting self-employed workers). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  39. Related occupations (O*NET) with BLS pay, growth and entry education. O*NET OnLine

Notes are for reading the data only. They are not facts and cannot be cited: use the wage_scope and percentile_meaning facts instead. OEWS employment (jobs in May 2025) and Employment Projections employment (2025, includes self-employed) are different measures and can differ. O*NET education shares come from a small survey of workers in the occupation, not from all workers.

This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerFacts has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.