Phlebotomist salary
We don't have enough pay data for this role yet. Browse open jobs below — many listings state pay directly.
See what's hiring now
Browse open phlebotomists.
What a phlebotomist does
Phlebotomists draw blood for testing, donation and research. Training is short — often a few months — making it one of the quicker clinical roles to enter.
Day-to-day duties
- Draw blood from patients of all ages
- Label and process specimens correctly
- Reassure nervous or needle-phobic patients
- Maintain equipment and stock
- Follow strict infection control procedures
Skills employers look for
- Steady hand and confident technique
- Calming anxious patients quickly
- Meticulous labelling — mix-ups have serious consequences
- Working through a high patient volume
Requirements Licence required
- Phlebotomy training programme (a few months)
- Certification required in some states, preferred in others
- CPR certification
- Hepatitis B vaccination usually required
How to get started
- 1 Complete a phlebotomy programme
- 2 Certify through NHA, ASCP or AMT
- 3 Start in a lab, hospital or donation centre
- 4 Progress into laboratory or medical assisting roles
Job outlook: Consistent demand from diagnostic labs, hospitals and blood donation services.
Common questions about phlebotomists
What does a phlebotomist do?
Phlebotomists draw blood for testing, donation and research. Training is short — often a few months — making it one of the quicker clinical roles to enter. Day to day, that means draw blood from patients of all ages, label and process specimens correctly, reassure nervous or needle-phobic patients and maintain equipment and stock.
How do you become a phlebotomist?
The usual route is: (1) complete a phlebotomy programme, (2) certify through NHA, ASCP or AMT, (3) start in a lab, hospital or donation centre, (4) progress into laboratory or medical assisting roles. Employers typically look for phlebotomy training programme (a few months), certification required in some states, preferred in others and CPR certification.
Do you need a certification to work as a phlebotomist?
Yes. Working as a phlebotomist requires formal certification or licensing — specifically certification required in some states, preferred in others and CPR certification. Requirements are set at state level in most cases, so check your own state's rules before committing to a programme.
Are phlebotomists in demand?
Consistent demand from diagnostic labs, hospitals and blood donation services.
Where are phlebotomists most in demand?
See the metro and rural areas with the highest concentration of this work, ranked from Bureau of Labor Statistics employment data.
Similar roles
Pay figures are estimates for guidance only, not an offer or guarantee. Advertised ranges come from job postings on LocalWork; government figures come from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Actual pay depends on experience, certifications, shift and employer.