Other Healthcare Support Occupations

How to become a Phlebotomist

Official title: Phlebotomists

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)

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

Main 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.

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.

Typical education to start: Postsecondary nondegree award

Read the full guide from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Ways in

Apprenticeship: Phlebotomist.
Certificate or associate's degree: Postsecondary nondegree award. Programs such as Phlebotomy Technician/Phlebotomist

Pay · Outlook · AI and this job

Median pay: $45,230 a year The middle half earn $38,190 to $48,930.
About 143,900 people work in this job now, and about 153,700 are projected by 2035. (+6.8%)
People use generative AI for relatively little of this work so far. Microsoft Research rates its AI applicability as low.

Questions people ask

How do I become a Phlebotomist?

How much does a Phlebotomist earn in the US?

Median full-time pay is $45,230 a year (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). The middle half earn $38,190 to $48,930.

Is a Phlebotomist a growing career in the US?

Yes. Employment is projected to grow 7% by 2035, from about 143,900 to about 153,700 people (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).

Do you need a degree to become a Phlebotomist?

Usually not. Only 10% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Ways in include: Postsecondary nondegree award; Phlebotomist.

Will AI change the work of a Phlebotomist?

People use generative AI for relatively little of this work so far. Microsoft Research rates its AI applicability as low.

Sources

Microsoft Research: Working with AI: AI applicability by occupation (2025-12-22 (built on O*NET 29.0)), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-03
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Employment Projections (2025-35 (released 2026-08-27)), Public domain (BLS), retrieved 2026-10-03
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Outlook Handbook (2025-35 edition (published 2026-08-27)), Public domain (BLS); photographs excluded, retrieved 2026-10-03
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Public domain (BLS), retrieved 2026-10-03

Updated 2026-10-03

This page includes information from the 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.