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The differences between phlebotomists and licensed practical nurses can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a phlebotomist and a licensed practical nurse. Additionally, a licensed practical nurse has an average salary of $52,912, which is higher than the $33,713 average annual salary of a phlebotomist.
The top three skills for a phlebotomist include patients, customer service and blood samples. The most important skills for a licensed practical nurse are patients, CPR, and home health.
| Phlebotomist | Licensed Practical Nurse | |
| Yearly salary | $33,713 | $52,912 |
| Hourly rate | $16.21 | $25.44 |
| Growth rate | 10% | 6% |
| Number of jobs | 11,707 | 614,369 |
| Job satisfaction | 4.4 | 3.33 |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 22% | Associate Degree, 33% |
| Average age | 41 | 46 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 2 |
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.
Licensed practical nurses are considered leading front liners in the clinic or hospital setting. They assist nurses and doctors in conducting various activities related to sick or injured patients. Licensed practical nurses are primarily expected to provide routine care for patients and assist registered nurses in creating care plans. They maintain and update medical records, prepare patients for medical examinations, help patients dress, bath, or eat, take vital signs, administer and monitor medicine intake, monitor patients and update nurses and doctors on patient status, and assist during medical examinations.
Phlebotomists and licensed practical nurses have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Phlebotomist | Licensed Practical Nurse | |
| Average salary | $33,713 | $52,912 |
| Salary range | Between $26,000 And $42,000 | Between $37,000 And $74,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Boston, MA |
| Highest paying state | California | Hawaii |
| Best paying company | University of California, Berkeley | The Citadel |
| Best paying industry | Health Care | Health Care |
There are a few differences between a phlebotomist and a licensed practical nurse in terms of educational background:
| Phlebotomist | Licensed Practical Nurse | |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 22% | Associate Degree, 33% |
| Most common major | Medical Assisting Services | Nursing |
| Most common college | - | Emory University |
Here are the differences between phlebotomists' and licensed practical nurses' demographics:
| Phlebotomist | Licensed Practical Nurse | |
| Average age | 41 | 46 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 16.7% Female, 83.3% | Male, 11.3% Female, 88.7% |
| 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, 12.5% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 16.1% Asian, 6.5% White, 59.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 7% |