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What is a phlebotomist and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
Quoted expert
Eve Leija AAS, NCMA
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A phlebotomist specializes in drawing blood. They collect blood samples and prepare them for laboratory testing. They also keep patients comfortable and safe during the process. Phlebotomists require an understanding of anatomy, physiology, and medical terminology to accurately locate veins for blood collection. They also need communication skills to interact with patients and healthcare providers. Phlebotomists play a role in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of medical conditions by providing reliable blood samples for analysis.

What general advice would you give to a phlebotomist?

Eve Leija AAS, NCMA

Medical Assistant Program Director, Website

To maximize salary for a medical assistant obtaining certification from one of the credentialing organizations such as American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) can make a new hire more competitive. Continuing educations along with developing any specialized skills such as phlebotomy. Demonstrating professionalism initiative and reliability, along with gaining a strong reference from previous employers.
ScorePhlebotomistUS Average
Salary
2.6

Avg. Salary $33,713

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level
10.0

Growth rate 10%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity
9.9
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 1.12%

Asian 9.27%

Black or African American 9.05%

Hispanic or Latino 20.71%

Unknown 4.11%

White 55.74%

Gender

female 83.29%

male 16.71%

Age - 40
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 40
Stress level
10.0

Stress level is very high

7.1 - high

Complexity level
7.0

Complexity level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work life balance
7.3

Work life balance is good

6.4 - fair

What are the pros and cons of being a phlebotomist?

Pros

  • High demand for phlebotomists

  • Short training program to become certified

  • Opportunity for advancement within the healthcare industry

  • Good starting salary

  • Ability to work in a variety of settings (hospitals, clinics, labs, etc.)

Cons

  • Exposure to bloodborne pathogens and infectious diseases

  • Possibility of encountering needle phobia in patients

  • Limited patient interaction beyond blood draw

  • Low pay compared to other healthcare professions

  • Potential for workplace injuries such as needle sticks or slips and falls

Phlebotomist career paths

Key steps to become a phlebotomist

  1. Explore phlebotomist education requirements

    Most common phlebotomist degrees

    Certificate

    30.7 %

    Associate

    22.2 %

    Bachelor's

    15.9 %
  2. Start to develop specific phlebotomist skills

    SkillsPercentages
    Patients21.16%
    Customer Service9.13%
    Blood Samples5.37%
    Blood Specimens4.89%
    Data Entry4.85%
  3. Complete relevant phlebotomist training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of Less than 1 month on post-employment, on-the-job training. New phlebotomists learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a phlebotomist based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real phlebotomist resumes.
  4. Gain additional phlebotomist certifications

    Phlebotomist certifications can show employers you have a baseline of knowledge expected for the position. Certifications can also make you a more competitive candidate. Even if employers don't require a specific phlebotomist certification, having one may help you stand out relative to other applicants.

    The most common certifications for phlebotomists include Certified Phlebotomy Technician (CPT) and Phlebotomist.

    More About Certifications
  5. Research phlebotomist duties and responsibilities

    • Take patient histories and vital signs; record all information on patients EHR.
    • Measure vital signs including but not limit to blood pressure, pulse, height, weight, body measurements and EKG.
    • Perform triage for oncology and radiology patients that require sedation.
    • Verify patient information and carefully follow all safety procedures during phlebotomy work.
  6. Prepare your phlebotomist resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your phlebotomist resume.

    You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a phlebotomist resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

    Choose from 10+ customizable phlebotomist resume templates

    Build a professional phlebotomist resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your phlebotomist resume.
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  7. Apply for phlebotomist jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for a phlebotomist job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How did you land your first phlebotomist job

Zippi

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Average phlebotomist salary

The average phlebotomist salary in the United States is $33,713 per year or $16 per hour. Phlebotomist salaries range between $26,000 and $42,000 per year.

Average phlebotomist salary
$33,713 Yearly
$16.21 hourly

What am I worth?

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How do phlebotomists rate their job?

4.4/5

Based on 5 ratings

5 stars

4 stars

3 stars

2 stars

1 star

Phlebotomist reviews

profile
5.0
A zippia user wrote a review on Dec 2021
Pros

The interaction, conversations and making the patients feel safe as I make it my main priority to do my job.

Cons

When I miss the vein


profile
5.0
A zippia user wrote a review on Jul 2021
Pros

Providing patient care and a safe environment for people that needs my services.

Cons

Missed orders or anything that hinders patient care.


profile
5.0
A zippia user wrote a review on Jan 2021
Pros

Being able to know that your helping people

Cons

Lazy people who don’t want to do their jobs and people who don’t care about the patients


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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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