Career guide

How to become a phlebotomist

Education, licensing, training, and outlook from the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook (2025-35 projections), with BLS May 2025 pay.

Source: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook: Phlebotomists, read October 23, 2026. Publisher page

Quick answer

Typical entry-level education: postsecondary nondegree award. States may require that phlebotomists complete an accredited training program, have a license or certification, or meet other requirements. For specific requirements, contact your state licensing agency. BLS median pay: $45,230 a year (May 2025).

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Quick facts

2025 Median Pay: $45,230 per year $21.75 per hour
Typical Entry-Level Education: Postsecondary nondegree award
Work Experience in a Related Occupation: None
On-the-job Training: None
Number of Jobs, 2025: 143,900
Job Outlook, 2025 to 2035: 7% (Much faster than average)
Employment Change, 2025 to 2035: 9,800

Source: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, read October 23, 2026. Publisher page

Steps to become a phlebotomist (BLS)

Phlebotomists typically enter the occupation with a certificate from a postsecondary phlebotomy program, but some qualify with a high school diploma and on-the-job training. Employers may prefer to hire candidates who have earned professional certification.

Education and Training

Phlebotomists typically enter the occupation with a postsecondary nondegree award from a phlebotomy program. These programs are available from community colleges, vocational schools, or technical schools and usually take less than 1 year to complete. They involve instruction in anatomy, physiology, and medical terminology and laboratory work and lead to a certificate.

Some employers hire candidates with a high school diploma and train them on the job. Whether through formal education or employer-provided training, the training that all phlebotomists receive includes instruction on how to identify, label, and track blood samples.

Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations

States may require that phlebotomists complete an accredited training program, have a license or certification, or meet other requirements. For specific requirements, contact your state licensing agency.

Some employers prefer to hire phlebotomists who have earned professional certification, such as those offered by professional organizations. Requirements vary by organization but may include education and clinical experience, passing an exam, and practical components, such as drawing blood.

Phlebotomists also may need to have Basic Life Support certification. Those who transport samples may need a driver’s license.

Source: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One, read October 23, 2026. Publisher page

Job outlook, 2025 to 2035

Employment of phlebotomists is projected to grow 7 percent from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations.

About 18,000 openings for phlebotomists are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.

BLS employment projections
Occupation	SOC	Employment	Projected	Change %	Change
Phlebotomists	31-9097	143,900	153,700	7%	9,800

Source: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, Job Outlook, read October 23, 2026. Publisher page

Pay

Median pay, BLS May 2025
Role	Median annual	Median hourly
Phlebotomist	$45,230	$21.75

Highest-paying states: California ($56,040), District of Columbia ($51,980), New York ($50,530), Massachusetts ($50,170), Oregon ($49,160).

Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Publisher page

Questions

What degree do you need to be a Phlebotomist?

BLS lists "Postsecondary nondegree award" as the typical entry-level education.

Do phlebotomists need a license?

What is the job outlook for phlebotomists?