Phlebotomist Salary (2026), outlook and how to become one

Phlebotomists earn a median of $45,230 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025), 11% below the $50,980 median for all US occupations. That works out at $21.75/hr. The middle half earn between $38,190 and $48,930. The top 10% earn $58,780 or more.

The median hourly wage for phlebotomists is $21.75 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). On a full-year basis the $45,230 annual median works out to about $3,770 a month before tax.

BLS does not publish a starting salary. The nearest measure is the low end of the pay range: the lowest-paid 10% of phlebotomists earn less than $35,780 a year and the bottom quarter less than $38,190 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). New workers often start near that end, but where a particular job starts depends on the employer, the state and the credentials you bring, so read these as the bottom of the range rather than a guaranteed entry wage.

The highest state medians for Phlebotomists are California ($56,040), District of Columbia ($51,980), New York ($50,530) (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Adjusted for local prices using BEA Regional Price Parities, North Dakota moves to the top at $53,317.

BLS does not split phlebotomists' pay by specialty or employer, but its range shows how far the top end runs: the highest-paid 10% earn more than $58,780, against a median of $45,230 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Location moves pay the most in the published data: the best-paying states are California ($56,040), District of Columbia ($51,980), New York ($50,530).

Not a degree, but you do need credentialed training: BLS lists a postsecondary non-degree award (a certificate or license program) as the typical entry route for Phlebotomists.

Yes. Employment is projected to grow 6.8% over 2025–2035, faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations (BLS EP, 2025–2035). BLS still projects about 18,000 openings a year, mostly from workers retiring or moving to other work.

Phlebotomists draw blood for purposes such as tests, research, or donations. A core O*NET task: confirm the identities of patients by verifying their personal information. Employers most often ask for Electronic mail software, Medical software, Office suite software.

Yes, for most. In O*NET's survey of people in the job, 24% of phlebotomists usually work more than 40 hours a week, 76% work exactly 40 and 0% work fewer. 96% say their schedule is regular and 4% irregular. Source: O*NET 31.0 Database, Work Context.

O*NET scores Phlebotomists highest on the Realistic, Conventional and Investigative interest areas, so the work mixes hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors with organising, following procedures and working precisely with data. On NueCareer's MBTI-to-interest mapping that lines up most closely with ISTJ personalities. Personality is a fit signal, not a gate. The free NueCareer quiz scores your own profile against all 1,731 careers in the bank.

Less than 1 year. Postsecondary phlebotomy programs at community, vocational and technical schools usually take less than 1 year and lead to a certificate. Some employers instead hire candidates with a high school diploma and train them on the job.

Not a state license. Most states do not license phlebotomists, and in those states national certification is voluntary rather than a legal requirement, even though employers often prefer or require it. A few states do regulate the role: California requires a phlebotomy certificate from CDPH Laboratory Field Services, which involves documented academic and clinical training or on-the-job experience, verification of a national certification examination, and annual renewal with a fee and continuing education; Washington requires a medical assistant-phlebotomist credential from the Department of Health, based on a completed phlebotomy training program and high school education, renewed every two years. Other states may require an accredited training program, a license or a certification, so check your state licensing agency. Phlebotomists may also need Basic Life Support certification, and a driver's license if they transport specimens.

The PBT(ASCP) (Phlebotomy Technician, PBT(ASCP)) and the CPT (Certified Phlebotomy Technician). Certification examination with several eligibility routes, all requiring high school graduation or equivalent: completion of a NAACLS-accredited phlebotomy program within the last 5 years; or a two-part structured phlebotomy program within the last 5 years consisting of 40 clock hours of classroom training plus documented clinical training including a minimum of 100 successful unaided venipunctures; or 1 year of full-time clinical experience as a phlebotomy technician in an acceptable laboratory within the last 5 years; or completion of an RN, LPN or other accepted accredited allied health program.

Women make up 88.2% of phlebotomists, against 47.1% of all employed people: a female-dominated occupation. Only 13.9% are 55 or older (23.2% across all jobs): a young workforce, with 19.4% under 25. The median worker is 38.8 years old (all workers: 42.1). Source: BLS Current Population Survey, 2025 annual averages.