If you’re considering a career in the healthcare industry in a job that is less demanding when it comes to schooling, consider becoming a phlebotomist. You do not require a bachelor’s degree, and it offers the fastest entry route to a career in healthcare.
When considering this career path, it’s normal to wonder how much phlebotomists make. Here’s how much you can make as a phlebotomist, factors that affect a phlebotomist salary, and job outlook.
What is a Phlebotomist?
A phlebotomy technician is a medical professional that draws blood from patients for transfusions, tests, research, or donations. They explain the procedure to patients and can help assist patients with adverse reactions to recover.
A phlebotomist can work in different settings, such as hospitals, blood donor centers, and medical and diagnostic laboratories.
Phlebotomist Job Outlook
According to the US Bureau of Labor and Statistics, phlebotomy jobs are expected to grow at a rate of 10% from 2021 to 2031—compared to an average growth rate of about 5% for other occupations.
The BLS estimates an average of 21,500 phlebotomist job openings will become available annually over the decade. As such, the demand for trained phlebotomists will likely increase to fill the new openings and replace workers who exit the labor force or transfer to other professions. Besides creating new opportunities, this could potentially raise the average phlebotomist salary.
How Much Do Phlebotomists Make?
The national mean hourly wage for phlebotomists is $18.49, and the mean annual phlebotomist income is $38,450. Top-paying industries include grant-making and giving services and scientific research and development services.
Factors That Affect a Phlebotomist’s Salary
- Education and training: While you can qualify to become a phlebotomist with on-the-job training, attaining certification shows you’re a professional and can increase your hourly wage. The National Association of Phlebotomy Technician Professionals (NAPTP) offers a fully-online, self-paced phlebotomy prep course.
- Location: How much a phlebotomy technician earns also depends on the city and state where they practice. For instance, phlebotomists in California earn a mean hourly wage of $23.11 and an annual mean of $48,070, while those in Illinois earn a mean hourly wage of $15.39 and an annual mean of $32,010.
- Years of experience: Phlebotomists with more experience typically earn more than those with less experience.
- Your workplace: Different companies pay varying salaries to the phlebotomists they’ve hired, depending on their salary policies and job description.
Enroll for a Phlebotomy Course and Maximize Your Pay
While you have little control over some factors that will affect your salary as a phlebotomist, such as your workplace, you can maximize your pay by taking a phlebotomist course and obtaining certification.
The NAPTP Phlebotomy Review course is 100% online and self-paced to help you learn and equip you with the necessary knowledge and skills to pass the NAPTP exam. It includes study guide videos, PDFs, and modules in a six-week course that you can fit into your schedule.
Whether you’re looking to sit for the NAPTP exam for the first time or you’re an existing NAPTP Certified Technician looking to renew your certification, this course will give you the best chance of passing the exam on the first try.
Register for our phlebotomy courses and exams and maximize your pay.
