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Phlebotomist

$45,230
median pay per year
full range coming in the next data update

What the job actually is

Draw blood from patients for tests, donations, and transfusions, then label and prepare samples.

Where you work

Hospitals, labs, and clinics; standing, close patient contact.

The hours

Full-time and part-time; some early mornings, evenings, and weekends.

By the numbers

May 2024–25 BLS wage data · 2024–34 BLS employment projections.

Median pay
$45,230
per year
What most earn
range coming soon
Openings a year
~18,400
projected, 2024–34
Outlook to 2034
+6%
Faster than average
Working in the U.S.
coming soon

Openings a year counts new jobs plus the ones that open when people retire or move on — a truer picture of your odds than growth alone.

“Median” means half earn more and half earn less. Your city, employer, and years on the job move it a lot — that is what the 10th-to-90th range shows.

How you get in

Typical starting education

Certificate program

Training path: A weeks-long certificate course.

License or certification

No license in most states; certification is often preferred by employers.

What it takes

Manual dexterityCompassionAttention to detailSteady hands

The honest take

One skill, every hospital — often the first healthcare paycheck.

Standard Occupational Classification 31-9097. Pay, employment, and outlook from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS wage survey and 2024–34 employment projections). See something off? Tell us.