How Much Do Phlebotomists Make? 2023 Salary Guide (2024)

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Discover the ins and outs of how much phlebotomists make and the factors that determine salaries.

How Much Do Phlebotomists Make? 2023 Salary Guide (1)

Phlebotomy is a growing career in the health care field with competitive salaries and opportunities for advancement. As the population ages and medical professionals are needed more than ever, phlebotomists can find both full-time and part-time employment in a diverse range of medical settings or as traveling professionals. In this article, you'll learn more about what a phlebotomist is, what they do, and their job outlook. You'll also find common certificates and tips for maximizing your earning potential.

What is a phlebotomist?

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, is a health care professional that draws blood from patients for laboratory testing, transfusions, and research. As a phlebotomist, you’ll have opportunities to work one-on-one with patients of all ages or as a specialist with pediatric or geriatric patients.

Read more: Phlebotomist: What They Do and How to Become One

Where they work

Phlebotomists work in a wide variety of health care environments in both full-time and part-time positions. Some of the most common work environments include:

There are many employment opportunities for traveling phlebotomists as well. Insurance companies and home health companies have positions that require in-home and in-facility visits.If you're not looking for permanent employment, temporary agencies hire phlebotomists to fill short and long-term positions.

Job outlook

The US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicts the number of job opportunities for phlebotomists will grow by 10 percent, which is faster than average for all occupations, between 2021 and 2031 [1]. This increase in jobs, they predict, will lead to an average of 19,500 openings for phlebotomists every year during the decade.

A career as a phlebotomist typically offers job security, competitive pay, and flexible work hours. Job opportunities exist in many health care environments and provide the opportunity to work with and meet many people from various walks of life.

How much do phlebotomists make?

The US Bureau of Labor Statistics lists the mean annual salary for phlebotomists at $37,380 [2]. Here are the salaries you can expect to make depending on where you work:

  • Outpatient care centers: $38,220

  • Medical and diagnostic labs: $38,040

  • Physician offices: $36,410

  • Hospitals: $36,980

  • Other ambulatory health care services: $35,360

Generally, hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, state government-owned medical facilities, and colleges and universities offer the highest-paid positions.

There are several factors impacting the salary you can expect to earn as a phlebotomist such as your geographical location, education, and experience level.

Location and salary

Location is a particularly critical factor in determining the salary of a phlebotomist. The most promising states for phlebotomist careers are:

Looking beyond geographical locations, your level of education and experience also affect your salary.

Traveling phlebotomists are in high demand as the population ages. Salaries range from $29,000 to $46,000 [8], depending on experience, but you get to experience different clinics and environments. Many employers offer additional compensation for gas and time spent traveling.

Experience level and salary

According to Indeed, the average salary for phlebotomists is $48,895 [9]. Entry level phlebotomists might make $47,072, while those with six or more years of experience can make $54,007 and up.

Education level and salary

To become a phlebotomist, you do not need a bachelor's degree. A high school diploma or GED is enough to enter a phlebology certification program and go on to take the certification exam. Typically, salaries do not change much even if you do have a bachelor's degree, though some employers might regard it favorably.

Tips for increasing earning potential

A career in phlebotomy offers opportunities for increased earning potential. Some include gaining experience, location, obtaining a degree, and becoming certified. Here’s a closer look at each.

Gain experience. The more experience you have, the more you can generally increase your earning potential. Some employers only require experience for promotions, while others prefer continuing education.

You can gain experience with in-house training offered by hospitals and other health care facilities. You’ll learn venipuncture techniques and get hands-on equipment experience. Phlebotomy opportunities can include internships, so check with any medical facility you’d like to work at to see what’s available.

Consider specializing. You may want to work with a specific age demographic, and there are opportunities available in pediatric and geriatric phlebotomy. Because these populations require more challenging blood draws, you must typically complete specialized training and exams to work with them.

Choose a location. The geographic location you work in can impact your earning potential. Highly populated and affluent metro areas offer more earning opportunities.

You can also look beyond geographical locations and consider around-the-clock care facilities where you can earn shift-differential pay.

Consider getting a degree. Although a degree isn’t necessary to work as a phlebotomist, accredited degree programs provide classroom training and job experience. Associate degree programs are available at many colleges, and bachelor’s degree programs in medical technology are also options to consider if you aspire to be a phlebotomist.

A degree can result in a more competitive salary and it can be beneficial if your goal is to seek a higher position in the future, such as a medical technologist.

Get certified. Even if your state doesn’t require certification, it can be advantageous to earn one. Certified phlebotomists can often earn a higher salary than non-certified phlebotomists.

Some programs provide online learning. However, clinical experience is needed for course completion that will require completing a specified number of venipunctures on patients or mannequins. When choosing an online program, make sure the school has a nearby place for you to complete your clinical hours.

Types of phlebotomy certifications

There are many types of certifications for phlebotomists, each with different requirements. While one isn’t necessarily better than the others, the prerequisites are less challenging for some certifications [10]. Here are some examples:

  • Phlebotomy Technician Certification (PBT-ASCP) offered by the American Society of Phlebotomy Technicians: This certification requires a high school diploma and 40 hours of class training, and 100 hours of practice.

  • Phlebotomy Technician Certificate (PTC-ASPT) offered by the American Society of Phlebotomy Technicians: To qualify for this certification, you must have completed a phlebotomy training program and six months of full-time or one year of part-time experience as a phlebotomist.

  • Certified Phlebotomy Technician (CPT-NHA) offered by the National Healthcareer Association: This certification requires completing classes through the National Healthcareer Association.

  • Registered Phlebotomy Technician (RPT-AMT) offered by the American Medical Technologists: For the RTT-AMT certification, you’ll need to pass an accredited phlebotomy course within the past four years and 1,040 cumulative hours working as a phlebotomist within the past three years.

  • Certified Phlebotomist Technologist (CPT-NPA) offered by the National Phlebotomy Association: Along with venipuncture training, requirements include 160 hours of classroom lessons and 200 hours of practical application.

Take a class on anatomy

As you’re thinking about a career in phlebotomy, you might consider joining a professional association or taking an online course to expand your knowledge and skill set. The National Phlebotomy Association offers many benefits for professional development, including a job board and a schedule of events for phlebotomists and those interested in entering the career field.The University of Pennsylvania's Vital Signs: Understanding What the Body Is Telling Us explores the anatomy and physiology underlying vital signs in just 14 hours.

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This content has been made available for informational purposes only. Learners are advised to conduct additional research to ensure that courses and other credentials pursued meet their personal, professional, and financial goals.

How Much Do Phlebotomists Make? 2023 Salary Guide (2024)

FAQs

How Much Do Phlebotomists Make? 2023 Salary Guide? ›

Location and salary

What is the highest pay for a Phlebotomist? ›

The best Phlebotomist jobs can pay up to $70,000 per year.

The samples are then sent to a medical lab for analysis; physicians use the results to diagnose conditions such as chronic disease, high cholesterol, and diabetes.

What is the highest hourly pay for a Phlebotomist? ›

Certified Phlebotomist Salary in Los Angeles, CA
Annual SalaryHourly Wage
Top Earners$62,495$30
75th Percentile$56,000$27
Average$45,127$22
25th Percentile$38,800$19

What is the hourly rate for a Phlebotomist in CA? ›

As of Jul 21, 2024, the average hourly pay for an Entry Level Phlebotomist in California is $18.36 an hour.

What can a Phlebotomist do to make more money? ›

As you continue to gain phlebotomy experience, consider applying for a position as a phlebotomy supervisor, which may also require a bachelor's degree. You can gain an increase in salary and manage a team of fellow phlebotomists.

What is the next career above a phlebotomist? ›

Clinical Lab Technician

As a phlebotomist, you already have experience handling blood samples, which will help you transition into a clinical lab technician position. Clinical laboratory technicians typically complete an associate's degree program in clinical laboratory science.

What states pay phlebotomists the most? ›

Best-Paying States for Phlebotomists

The states and districts that pay Phlebotomists the highest mean salary are California ($50,470), Massachusetts ($47,530), District of Columbia ($47,160), Washington ($47,090), and New York ($46,960). How Much Do Phlebotomists Make in Your City?

How much do phlebotomists make at Kaiser in California? ›

How much does a Phlebotomy Technician make at Kaiser Permanente in California? The estimated average pay for Phlebotomy Technician at this company in California is $26.27 per hour, which is 30% above the national average.

How many patients do Phlebotomist draw in one hour? ›

On average 12 per hour depending on the difficulty. Closer to 7 minutes per patient rather than a specific # of patients.

How much does a phlebotomy supervisor earn in California? ›

The average phlebotomy supervisor salary in California is $89,739 per year or $43.14 per hour.

What is the biggest mistake a phlebotomist can make? ›

Drawing Blood From the Wrong Patient

This is one of the rarest but arguably most costly mistakes a phlebotomy technician can make.

Can you make a living off of being a phlebotomist? ›

A phlebotomist makes an average annual salary of $38,530, with pay ranging from $30,250 to $51,610 or more per year. Phlebotomists with advanced education, experience, certification, and additional skills, as well as travel phlebotomists, can earn more.

Is there a phlebotomist shortage? ›

As people were overworked during the pandemic, phlebotomists also suffered from burnout. This means that there are fewer candidates who are willing to take on this type of work, which has contributed to the shortage. However, for those who are up to the challenge, the rewards can be significant.

What is higher than a Phlebotomist? ›

LVNs typically earn higher salaries than Phlebotomists, but both can vary based on location and experience. Demand for both LVNs and Phlebotomists is expected to grow. LVNs require in-person training and licensing, while Phlebotomists can often complete online or hybrid training programs.

How much does a phlebotomy technician make in New Jersey? ›

$34,500 is the 25th percentile. Salaries below this are outliers. $43,100 is the 75th percentile.

How much does phlebotomy make in Oklahoma? ›

Avg Salary

Phlebotomists earn an average yearly salary of $30,100. Wages typically start from $24,100 and go up to $44,870.

How much does a certified Phlebotomist make an hour in Louisiana? ›

As of Jul 21, 2024, the average hourly pay for a Phlebotomist in Louisiana is $14.83 an hour.

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