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The differences between phlebotomists and certified nursing assistants can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 1-2 years to become a phlebotomist, becoming a certified nursing assistant takes usually requires 1-3 months. Additionally, a phlebotomist has an average salary of $33,713, which is higher than the $32,597 average annual salary of a certified nursing assistant.
The top three skills for a phlebotomist include patients, customer service and blood samples. The most important skills for a certified nursing assistant are patients, vital signs, and home health.
| Phlebotomist | Certified Nursing Assistant | |
| Yearly salary | $33,713 | $32,597 |
| Hourly rate | $16.21 | $15.67 |
| Growth rate | 10% | 9% |
| Number of jobs | 11,707 | 225,834 |
| Job satisfaction | 4.4 | 3.12 |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 22% | High School Diploma, 29% |
| Average age | 41 | 42 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 3 |
Phlebotomists are workers in the medical field who specialize in drawing blood from patients. They ensure that patients are prepared by explaining the procedure to them, showing them tools they will use and where their blood will be stored, and answering any questions the patients may have. Phlebotomists then draw blood from the patient, patch up the area where the blood was drawn, and store the blood samples in properly labeled vials or blood bags. After the procedure, they send the blood samples to the laboratory for testing, transfusion, or any other use that there may be.
A certified nursing assistant generally assists patients in their healthcare needs and medical procedures. They support patients in their daily activities by monitoring patients' temperature and food intake, ensuring the cleanliness of the patient's room, and keeping documentation of patients' conditions for reference of nurses and doctors. A certified nursing assistant should also communicate with patients' families and provide updates as often as needed. It is also important that a nursing assistant is patient and compassionate enough to attend to direct patient needs, which could get demanding or challenging at times.
Phlebotomists and certified nursing assistants have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Phlebotomist | Certified Nursing Assistant | |
| Average salary | $33,713 | $32,597 |
| Salary range | Between $26,000 And $42,000 | Between $24,000 And $42,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Portland, ME |
| Highest paying state | California | Hawaii |
| Best paying company | University of California, Berkeley | Valley Presbyterian Hospital |
| Best paying industry | Health Care | Health Care |
There are a few differences between a phlebotomist and a certified nursing assistant in terms of educational background:
| Phlebotomist | Certified Nursing Assistant | |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 22% | High School Diploma, 29% |
| Most common major | Medical Assisting Services | Nursing |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between phlebotomists' and certified nursing assistants' demographics:
| Phlebotomist | Certified Nursing Assistant | |
| Average age | 41 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 16.7% Female, 83.3% | Male, 12.3% Female, 87.7% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 9.1% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 20.7% Asian, 9.3% White, 55.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1% | Black or African American, 9.3% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 14.5% Asian, 7.8% White, 62.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 7% |