How Much Do Phlebotomists Make?

If you’ve found yourself on a page about how much phlebotomist's make, you may be entertaining the thought of becoming one in the future. This article takes an in-depth look at what job growth and salaries of phlebotomists will look like for the coming years.

Phlebotomists play a critical role in healthcare and are responsible for collecting blood for donation and testing. The samples they collect are then analyzed in a diagnostic laboratory, and blood tests are conducted to diagnose illnesses, elevate proper nutrition levels, and determine the effective level of medication dosage.

If you’re considering a career in healthcare, phlebotomy can be a very attractive option due to the low bar-of-entry and above-average growth rate over the coming decade.

How Much Do Phlebotomists Make?

How much a phlebotomists can make via salary can vary greatly depending on the location of the job, experience of the individual, and the current demand for phlebotomists. Use the table at the end of this article to find out whether your state, or the state you eventually want to work in, pays its phlebotomists above or below the national average.

As represented in the graph below, phlebotomists can expect to earn a median hourly wage of $14.75, or $30,670 per year:

Return on Investment

In order to become a phlebotomist, you need only to complete a qualifying phlebotomy training program, typically found at your local community college, and earn the state-required certification.

Certifications are available through the American Society of Pathologists (ASCP), American Medical Technologists (AMT), or the American Association of Medical Personnel (AAMP).

Due to the incredibly low levels of debt that students are required to take on (many of which graduate with zero) and a job growth rate of 25%, becoming a phlebotomist remains a solid option for advancing your career in the healthcare industry.

Best States for Phlebotomist Salaries

A major factor in determining what your salary may look like is the location in which you plan to work. However, this principle applies to nearly all occupations largely due to the varying cost-of-living rates across the country.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics collects salary and employment data for nearly all positions, nationwide. The following table includes all data compiled from the BLS from each state including total number of jobs and wages as of May 2016.

Search or sort the table to find out what you can expect to make if phlebotomy is in your future:

*Location quotients serve as a statistical representation of the concentration of a resource, like jobs, with a broader base area.