← All careers

Healthcare

Phlebotomists

Draw blood for tests, transfusions, donations, or research. May explain the procedure to patients and assist in the recovery of patients with adverse reactions.

Median salary (BLS)

$45,230

10th–90th percentile (BLS)

$36k – $59k

Job outlook

+6% (faster than average)

AI exposure

Early-career check: graduates of the matching programs below typically earn $93,000 ten years after starting college — an early-career figure, vs. the all-experience BLS median above. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard.

Plan a path to Phlebotomists

Qualification costsStack incomeBest cities/statesSchool ROIJob-posting fitTailored resume

Education

Typical entry: Associate degree

Plan my path to this →

How to qualify

EstimateLicense required

Cost to qualify

$8,200–$23,000

Time to qualify

2.2 yr

Renewal

$75/yr

  1. 1

    Associate degree (community college)

    Degree

    Two years at in-district rates — average published tuition & fees ≈ $4,050/yr, plus ~$1,200/yr books & supplies.

    $8,000–$22,000 · 2 years source

  2. 2

    National & state licensure

    License

    A national board/registry exam plus a state license application (the NCLEX pattern). Exact exam and fees depend on the role and state.

    $200–$1,000 · 2 months · varies by state · renews every 2 yr source

Estimated typical U.S. route for "Phlebotomists" — built from BLS education requirements and College Board 2024–25 average published prices (public, in-state tuition + fees + books). Not yet verified against a specific state's licensing rules — confirm with your state licensing board or program.

Typical progression

  1. Junior Phlebotomists

    Entry / Junior

    $35,780

    ~2 yrs to advance

  2. Phlebotomists

    Established

    $45,230

    ~3 yrs to advance

  3. Senior Phlebotomists

    Senior

    $52,005

Key skills

A typical day

  • •Dispose of contaminated sharps, in accordance with applicable laws, standards, and policies.
  • •Organize or clean blood-drawing trays, ensuring that all instruments are sterile and all needles, syringes, or related items are of first-time use.
  • •Draw blood from veins by vacuum tube, syringe, or butterfly venipuncture methods.
  • •Match laboratory requisition forms to specimen tubes.
  • •Dispose of blood or other biohazard fluids or tissue, in accordance with applicable laws, standards, or policies.

Fields of study

Any field

Top colleges for Healthcare

Explore all

Reputation-based selection; stats shown are outcome data per school.