Phlebotomy Salary & Career Outlook

 

If needles and blood don’t bother you, then a phlebotomist career may be for you. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), phlebotomists draw blood for transfusions, tests, research and donations. They also assist patients who may have a negative reaction to the procedure, assemble and maintain medical equipment, help keep patients calm and much more.

To become a phlebotomist, the BLS reports, typically requires a postsecondary non-degree award from a phlebotomy program. These programs are available at technical schools, community colleges and vocational schools, and they usually take less than a year to complete. Most employers also prefer a professional certification, which several organizations grant, and the following skills: compassion, dexterity, hand-eye coordination and to be detail-oriented.

If you’re looking for an important, health-focused career that’s both growing and sustainable, then it might be worth checking out one of the many good phlebotomy programs available in the U.S.

Phlebotomist Salary

You can make a living as a phlebotomist. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics(BLS), phlebotomists in the United States as of May 2018 earned a median annual wage of $34,480, with the lowest-paid 10 percent earning an annual wage of $25,020 and the highest-paid 10 percent earning an annual wage of $49,060.

Keep in mind that the industry in which you’re employed as a phlebotomist can affect how much you earn. According to the BLS, the top-paying industries in the United States for phlebotomists as of May 2018 were:

  • Outpatient care centers: $39,420
  • Medical and diagnostic laboratories: $36,060
  • Offices of Physicians: $33,110
  • Hospitals; state, local and private: $33,040
  • All other ambulatory healthcare services: $32,870

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