Top Skills for This Career
BLS identifies these as the three highest-rated skills for this detailed occupation. TrustInEd adds the plain-language explanations so visitors understand what each skill means.
Paying close attention to accuracy, quality, instructions, and small but important details.
Working effectively with people by building relationships, understanding others, and responding appropriately.
Adjusting effectively when priorities, conditions, tools, or expectations change.
How Do You Prepare for This Career?
BLS describes the typical preparation for this occupation. Requirements can vary by employer, state, licensing rules and individual circumstances.
How to Become One
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. PayThe median annual wage for phlebotomists was $45,230 in May 2025. Job Outlook Employment of phlebotomists is projected to grow 7 percent from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations. About 18,000 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.
Your Next Step
Explore shorter-term education and training pathways that may prepare you for this type of work.
Pay
The median annual wage for phlebotomists was $45,230 in May 2025. Job Outlook Employment of phlebotomists is projected to grow 7 percent from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations. About 18,000 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.
Job Outlook
Employment of phlebotomists is projected to grow 7 percent from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations. About 18,000 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 They 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 $45,230 in May 2025.
Job Outlook
Employment of phlebotomists is projected to grow 7 percent from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations.
About 18,000 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.
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 $45,230 in May 2025.
Job Outlook
Employment of phlebotomists is projected to grow 7 percent from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations.
About 18,000 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.
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.
More Information
Learn more about phlebotomists by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Take the Next Step
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Start with ED →Career data and occupational profile text are sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook and Employment Projections program. Education requirements are typical entry-level requirements and may vary by employer, state, occupation or individual circumstance. View the official BLS profile.