Occupation salary profile

Phlebotomists

SOC 31-9097 BLS OEWS May 2025

Draw blood for tests, transfusions, donations, or research. May explain the procedure to patients and assist in the recovery of patients with adverse reactions.

National median · BLS
$45,230
▲ +3.6% YoY
H-1B sponsor median
—
Too few H-1B filings
Average salary · BLS
$45,520
Mean annual wage
U.S. employment
143,540
Jobs (BLS)
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Pay range for Phlebotomists

Annual base pay at each percentile. BLS covers all U.S. workers in this occupation.

Percentile All U.S. workers (BLS)
10th — entry pay$35,780
25th$38,190
Median (50th)$45,230
75th$48,930
90th — top pay$58,780

Hourly ⇄ annual pay

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Based on hrs/week × weeks/year = 2,080 hrs
Projections 2025–2035

Job outlook for Phlebotomists

BLS projects employment of phlebotomists to grow 6.8% from 2025 to 2035, faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 18,000 openings are projected each year, on average, from new jobs and from replacing workers who retire or move to other occupations.

Jobs 2025 → 2035
143,900 → 153,700
+9,800 jobs
Projected change
+6.8%
All occupations: +3.5%
Openings per year
18,000
Average, 2025–2035
Typical entry education
Postsecondary nondegree award
No related experience required
Preparation needed (O*NET Job Zone 3)
Medium Preparation Needed. Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Fastest-growing jobs → Best-paying jobs that need a postsecondary certificate (nondegree award) →

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections 2025–2035 · BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook →

Skills & tools

Skills needed for Phlebotomists

How important each skill and knowledge area is for this job, rated by O*NET on a 1–5 scale from surveys of workers and occupational analysts.

Top skills
  • Service Orientation3.6
  • Social Perceptiveness3.5
  • Speaking3.5
  • Active Listening3.3
  • Critical Thinking3.3
  • Coordination3.1
  • Instructing3.1
  • Monitoring3.1
  • Reading Comprehension3.1
  • Active Learning3.0
Top knowledge areas
  • Customer and Personal Service4.4
  • English Language4.2
  • Administrative3.5
  • Education and Training3.4
  • Computers and Electronics3.4
  • Public Safety and Security3.1
  • Psychology3.0
  • Production and Processing2.8
Software and technology used
Microsoft Office softwareJavaScriptMEDITECH softwareMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft OutlookMicrosoft WordDonor management system softwareElectronic medical record EMR softwareIatric Systems MobiLabLaboratory information system LISMedical procedure coding softwareMEDITECH Blood BankMEDITECH Laboratory and MicrobiologyScheduling software

Highlighted = in demand: frequently listed in employer job postings for this occupation (O*NET).

Source: 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.

About the job

What phlebotomists do

  • 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 TechnicianPhlebotomy Technician (Phlebotomy Tech)Registered PhlebotomistRegistered Phlebotomy Technician (RPT)Mobile ExaminerPatient Service Technician (PST)Phlebotomist Lab Assistant (Phlebotomist Laboratory Assistant)
More job titles for this occupation (13)
Certified PhlebotomistCertified Phlebotomy Technician (Certified Phlebotomy Tech)Clinical PhlebotomistLab Phlebotomist (Laboratory Phlebotomist)Long Term Care PhlebotomistMobile PhlebotomistOutpatient PhlebotomistPhlebotomy Services RepresentativePhlebotomy Services Technician (Phlebotomy Services Tech)Phlebotomy TechnologistResearch PhlebotomistTravel PhlebotomistVenipuncturist

Source: O*NET 31.0 (USDOL/ETA, CC BY 4.0). These are general job titles, not H-1B filings; for titles employers actually filed, see “Job titles” above.