Draw blood for tests, transfusions, donations, or research. May explain the procedure to patients and assist in the recovery of patients with adverse reactions.
Phlebotomists
SOC: 31-9097 O*NET: 31-9097.00
Median Salary
$43,660
per year
Job Growth
📈 5.6%
Faster (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
18.4
projected jobs/year
Education Level
Vocational school, on-the-job training, or associate degree
Job Zone 3
Draw blood for tests, transfusions, donations, or research. May explain the procedure to patients and assist in the recovery of patients with adverse reactions.
What does a Phlebotomists do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$34,860
10th percentile
Early Career
$37,540
25th percentile
Median
$43,660
50th percentile
Experienced
$48,170
75th percentile
Top Earners
$57,750
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$34,860
25th
$37,540
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$43,660
Mean: $44,390
75th
$48,170
90th
$57,750
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $22,890 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $37,540 and $48,170
- •Salary spread is 24.3% around the median, showing low variation
- •Total national employment: 138,880 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Medium Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:139,700
Top Industries
Ambulatory Health Care Services59.3%
Medical and Diagnostic Laboratories32.9%
Hospitals30.2%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:+5.6%
Annual Openings:18,400
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)139,700
Current
2034 (Projected)147,500
+5.6%
+7,900
Employment Change
+5.6%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: As fast as average
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Phlebotomists professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 50 locations
Texas
13,410 jobs$39,7701.08x
California
13,150 jobs$55,4600.81x
Florida
9,760 jobs$38,5701.10x
Illinois
7,640 jobs$45,6201.40x
Georgia
5,470 jobs$43,3401.25x
New York
5,190 jobs$49,0800.60x
Pennsylvania
5,140 jobs$40,1400.95x
North Carolina
5,120 jobs$39,4101.16x
Ohio
4,640 jobs$38,8300.93x
New Jersey
4,160 jobs$46,8401.09x
Wisconsin
3,820 jobs$45,2301.45x
Arizona
3,660 jobs$42,8301.27x
Virginia
3,300 jobs$45,7200.90x
Michigan
3,070 jobs$39,7600.78x
Tennessee
3,000 jobs$38,4401.02x
Understanding the Data
Location Quotient (LQ):
- • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
- • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
- • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average
Data Source:
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024
Key Growth Factors
- •Average growth expected
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Service Orientation
100%
#2
Social Perceptiveness
94%
#3
Active Listening
86%
#4
Speaking
80%
#5
Critical Thinking
74%
#6
Writing
66%
#7
Reading Comprehension
60%
#8
Coordination
54%
#9
Monitoring
46%
#10
Active Learning
40%
Skills Overview
Service Orientation
advanced5.0
100%
Social Perceptiveness
advanced4.7
94%
Active Listening
intermediate4.3
86%
Speaking
intermediate4.0
80%
Critical Thinking
intermediate3.7
74%
Writing
intermediate3.3
66%
Reading Comprehension
basic3.0
60%
Coordination
basic2.7
54%
Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.
Filter:
Sort by:
Service Orientation
advancedImportance100%
skills
5.0/5.0
Social Perceptiveness
advancedImportance94%
skills
4.7/5.0
Active Listening
intermediateImportance86%
skills
4.3/5.0
Speaking
intermediateImportance80%
skills
4.0/5.0
Critical Thinking
intermediateImportance74%
abilities
3.7/5.0
Writing
intermediateImportance66%
skills
3.3/5.0
Reading Comprehension
basicImportance60%
abilities
3.0/5.0
Coordination
basicImportance54%
skills
2.7/5.0
Monitoring
basicImportance46%
skills
2.3/5.0
Active Learning
basicImportance40%
abilities
2.0/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Medical Assistants100%
5 shared skills
Ophthalmic Medical Technicians100%
5 shared skills
Physical Therapist Aides100%
5 shared skills
Registered Nurses82%
5 shared skills
Freight Forwarders82%
5 shared skills
Community Health Workers82%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Must Have:
- ✓Service Orientation
- ✓Social Perceptiveness
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Speaking
Learn on the Job:
- →Writing
- →Coordination
- →Reading Comprehension
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Service Orientation
- ✓Social Perceptiveness
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Speaking
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Service Orientation
- ★Social Perceptiveness
- ★Active Listening
- ★Speaking
- ★Critical Thinking
Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
- •Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
- •Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
- •Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time
What technology will you use?
Technology & Digital Skills
Essential technology proficiencies for Phlebotomists
Technology Intensity
High
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires advanced digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Proficiency with specialized softwareTechnical documentationData analysis toolsSystem integration
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
Microsoft Outlook
🔥 Hot TechMEDITECH software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Office software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Excel
🔥 Hot TechJavaScript
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Word
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
Microsoft Outlook
MEDITECH software
Microsoft Office software
Microsoft Excel
JavaScript
Microsoft Word
📚 Technology Learning Resources
Recommended Certifications
- •Vendor-specific software certifications
- •Industry-recognized technology credentials
- •Professional development courses
Online Learning Platforms
- •LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
- •Coursera - University-level programs
- •Udemy - Practical skills training
💡 Technology Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
- •Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
- •Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
- •Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers
What's the work environment like?
🏢
Location
MOSTLY INDOOR
💪
Physical Demand
MODERATE
👥
Team Orientation
MOSTLY TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
CONSTANT
💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?
Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:
- •Are you comfortable working in mostly indoor environments?
- •Can you meet moderate physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy mostly team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
21
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
General Responsibilities (19)Documentation & Record-Keeping (1)Analysis & Evaluation (1)
1
Collect fluid or tissue samples, using appropriate collection procedures.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities100% perform100%
2
Dispose of blood or other biohazard fluids or tissue, in accordance with applicable laws, standards, or policies.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities97% perform98%
3
Dispose of contaminated sharps, in accordance with applicable laws, standards, and policies.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities94% perform96%
4
Document route of specimens from collection to laboratory analysis and diagnosis.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities91% perform94%
5
Draw blood from arteries, using arterial collection techniques.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities88% perform92%
6
Draw blood from capillaries by dermal puncture, such as heel or finger stick methods.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities85% perform90%
7
Draw blood from veins by vacuum tube, syringe, or butterfly venipuncture methods.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities82% perform88%
8
Explain fluid or tissue collection procedures to patients.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities79% perform86%
9
Match laboratory requisition forms to specimen tubes.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities76% perform84%
10
Organize or clean blood-drawing trays, ensuring that all instruments are sterile and all needles, syringes, or related items are of first-time use.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on general responsibilities activities
- •33% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
- •Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities
What career paths are available?
Career Pathways
0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase
Advancement Opportunities
Typical career progression paths from Phlebotomists
💡 Career Planning Tips
- •Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
- •Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
- •Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
- •Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves
Is this career right for you?
Personality & Values Fit
Is This Career Right for You?
Phlebotomists professionals typically have a RCI Holland code and highly value support
RRealistic
CConventional
IInvestigative
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Phlebotomists
Attention to Detail
CriticalAttention to Detail
Importance Level4.91
Concern for Others
CriticalConcern for Others
Importance Level4.82
Dependability
CriticalDependability
Importance Level4.73
Integrity
CriticalIntegrity
Importance Level4.68
Stress Tolerance
CriticalStress Tolerance
Importance Level4.59
Cooperation
CriticalCooperation
Importance Level4.50
Complete Work Styles Profile
Attention to Detail
4.9
Concern for Others
4.8
Dependability
4.7
Integrity
4.7
Stress Tolerance
4.6
Cooperation
4.5
Self-Control
4.3
Independence
4.3
Adaptability/Flexibility
4.1
Achievement/Effort
4.0
💡 Tips for Career Fit Success
- •While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
- •Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
- •Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
- •Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career
What education is required?
Education Level
Vocational school, on-the-job training, or associate degree
Typical duration: Varies
Preparation Level
Job Zone 3
Medium Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience required
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:Vocational school, on-the-job training, or associate degree
Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Training:
Training of more than one year
💼 Experience Requirement
Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience required
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • Associate degree programs
- • Apprenticeships (1-2 years)
- • Vocational training with related experience
3
Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Associate degree programsApprenticeships (1-2 years)Vocational training with related experience
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