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The differences between phlebotomists and 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 nurse. Additionally, a nurse has an average salary of $57,564, 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 nurse are patients, home health, and CPR.
| Phlebotomist | Nurse | |
| Yearly salary | $33,713 | $57,564 |
| Hourly rate | $16.21 | $27.68 |
| Growth rate | 10% | 6% |
| Number of jobs | 11,707 | 696,124 |
| Job satisfaction | 4.4 | 4 |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 22% | Bachelor's Degree, 43% |
| Average age | 41 | 44 |
| 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.
Nurses are medical professionals assigned to a specific department in the hospital and provide their trusted department services. Nurses are in charge of taking patients' medical histories, getting vital signs, preparing patients for checkups or procedures, explaining upcoming practices, answering any questions, and communicating any concerns to the assigned doctor. Nurses should ensure that patients follow the medical advice given to them. They also assist patients in completing administrative requirements, such as filling out forms, validating details, and endorsing payments.
Phlebotomists and nurses have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Phlebotomist | Nurse | |
| Average salary | $33,713 | $57,564 |
| Salary range | Between $26,000 And $42,000 | Between $38,000 And $86,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | University of California, Berkeley | Conviva |
| Best paying industry | Health Care | Government |
There are a few differences between a phlebotomist and a nurse in terms of educational background:
| Phlebotomist | Nurse | |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 22% | Bachelor's Degree, 43% |
| Most common major | Medical Assisting Services | Nursing |
| Most common college | - | Duke University |
Here are the differences between phlebotomists' and nurses' demographics:
| Phlebotomist | Nurse | |
| Average age | 41 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 16.7% Female, 83.3% | Male, 14.0% Female, 86.0% |
| 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, 11.5% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 9.6% Asian, 8.9% White, 65.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 9% |