All About Phlebotomists
Job Description & Duties Draw blood for tests, transfusions, donations, or research. May explain the procedure to patients and assist in the recovery of patients with adverse reactions.
A Day in the Life of a Phlebotomist
- Train other medical personnel in phlebotomy or laboratory techniques.
- Draw blood from arteries, using arterial collection techniques.
- Enter patient, specimen, insurance, or billing information into computer.
- Conduct standards tests, such as blood alcohol, blood culture, oral glucose tolerance, glucose screening, blood smears, or peak and trough drug levels tests.
- Explain fluid or tissue collection procedures to patients.
- Match laboratory requisition forms to specimen tubes.
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What Every Phlebotomist Should Know
Phlebotomists state the following job skills are important in their day-to-day work.
Service Orientation: Actively looking for ways to help people.
Social Perceptiveness: Being aware of others’ reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Writing: Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Related Job Titles for this Occupation:
- Lab Asst
- Phlebotomy Services Representative
- Phlebotomy Director
- Phlebotomy Technologist
- Phlebotomy Technician
Phlebotomist Job Outlook
There were about 122,700 jobs for Phlebotomist in 2016 (in the United States). New jobs are being produced at a rate of 24.5% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 30,100 new jobs for Phlebotomist by 2026. There will be an estimated 16,900 positions for Phlebotomist per year.

The states with the most job growth for Phlebotomist are Utah, Arizona, and Colorado. Watch out if you plan on working in Rhode Island, Connecticut, or Mississippi. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Do Phlebotomists Make A Lot Of Money?
The average yearly salary of a Phlebotomist ranges between $25,020 and $49,060.

Phlebotomists who work in California, District of Columbia, or New York, make the highest salaries.
How much do Phlebotomists make in different U.S. states?
State | Annual Mean Salary |
---|---|
Alabama | $31,420 |
Alaska | $42,290 |
Arizona | $32,810 |
Arkansas | $28,690 |
California | $45,030 |
Colorado | $35,800 |
Connecticut | $39,310 |
Delaware | $39,120 |
District of Columbia | $41,600 |
Florida | $32,280 |
Georgia | $32,190 |
Idaho | $31,920 |
Illinois | $36,090 |
Indiana | $34,290 |
Iowa | $30,760 |
Kansas | $32,890 |
Kentucky | $31,130 |
Louisiana | $29,970 |
Maine | $31,190 |
Maryland | $39,760 |
Massachusetts | $39,970 |
Michigan | $32,450 |
Minnesota | $38,630 |
Mississippi | $29,460 |
Missouri | $31,320 |
Montana | $32,240 |
Nebraska | $32,000 |
Nevada | $38,320 |
New Hampshire | $39,870 |
New Jersey | $38,090 |
New Mexico | $29,700 |
New York | $40,630 |
North Carolina | $32,070 |
North Dakota | $33,340 |
Ohio | $34,230 |
Oklahoma | $31,570 |
Oregon | $39,150 |
Pennsylvania | $34,370 |
Rhode Island | $39,930 |
South Carolina | $31,180 |
South Dakota | $27,670 |
Tennessee | $30,090 |
Texas | $33,000 |
Utah | $31,290 |
Vermont | $35,740 |
Virginia | $35,960 |
Washington | $39,410 |
West Virginia | $30,200 |
Wisconsin | $35,530 |
Wyoming | $32,160 |
What Tools & Technology do Phlebotomists Use?
Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Phlebotomists may use on a daily basis:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- JavaScript
- Microsoft Outlook
- MEDITECH software
- Scheduling software
- Medical procedure coding software
- Electronic medical record EMR software
- Laboratory information system LIS
- Iatric Systems MobiLab
How to Become a Phlebotomist
Learn what Phlebotomist education requirements there are.

How Long Does it Take to Become a Phlebotomist?

Phlebotomists Sector

The table below shows the approximate number of Phlebotomists employed by various industries.

References:
Image Credit: Staff Sgt. Jerilyn Quintanilla via U.S. Air Force photo
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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