Healthcare support
Phlebotomist
Draw blood for tests, transfusions, donations, or research. May explain the procedure to patients and assist in the recovery of patients with adverse reactions.
Median pay
$45,230
Growth to 2035
+7%
faster than average
Openings a year
18,000
Time to qualify*
12 months
* From a bachelor's degree in an unrelated field.
Pay
Phlebotomist
Getting in
- Typical entry education
- Postsecondary nondegree award
- On-the-job training
- None
- Prior experience
- None
What the work is like
Dealing with the public
Unpleasant or angry people
Time pressure
Cost of a mistake
Freedom to make decisions
Repeating the same tasks
Time sitting
Time standing
Hazardous conditions
Exposure to disease
Phlebotomist: 24% usually work over 40 hours a week
Core tasks
- Confirm the identities of patients by verifying their personal information.
- Match laboratory requisition forms to specimen tubes.
- Dispose of contaminated sharps, in accordance with applicable laws, standards, and policies.
- Dispose of blood or other biohazard fluids or tissue, in accordance with applicable laws, standards, or policies.
- Collect specimens at specific time intervals for tests, such as those assessing therapeutic drug levels.
- Draw blood from veins by vacuum tube, syringe, or butterfly venipuncture methods.
- Organize or clean blood-drawing trays, ensuring that all instruments are sterile and all needles, syringes, or related items are of first-time use.
- Enter patient, specimen, insurance, or billing information into computer.
Also called: 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)
Outlook and AI
Phlebotomists held 143,900 jobs in 2025. BLS projects 153,700 by 2035 (+7%, faster than average; all jobs: +3.5%).
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