# Phlebotomists

> Draw blood for tests, transfusions, donations, or research. May explain the procedure to patients and assist in the recovery of patients with adverse reactions.

- Edition: Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition
- Page: https://www.collegesref.com/careers/phlebotomists
- SOC code: 31-9097.00
- Career family: Healthcare support
- Median annual pay: $45,230 (10th percentile $35,780, 90th percentile $58,780)
- Projected growth: Faster than average, +6.8%
- Openings a year: 18,000
- Typical entry education: Postsecondary certificate
- Bright outlook: yes
- Data years: BLS 2025 wages · 2025–35 projections

## Interest profile (code RCI)

| Interest area | Score (0–100) |
| --- | ---: |
| Realistic (R) | 74 |
| Investigative (I) | 62 |
| Artistic (A) | 0 |
| Social (S) | 43 |
| Enterprising (E) | 7 |
| Conventional (C) | 74 |

## What you'd do

- Assisting and Caring for Others (importance 87/100)
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates (importance 87/100)
- Working with Computers (importance 85/100)
- Documenting/Recording Information (importance 81/100)
- Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships (importance 79/100)
- Getting Information (importance 79/100)
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems (importance 76/100)
- Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards (importance 75/100)
- Developing and Building Teams (importance 73/100)
- Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials (importance 73/100)

## Skills

Service Orientation, Social Perceptiveness, Speaking, Active Listening, Critical Thinking, Coordination, Instructing, Monitoring, Reading Comprehension, Active Learning

## Knowledge

Customer and Personal Service, English Language, Administrative, Education and Training, Computers and Electronics, Public Safety and Security, Psychology, Production and Processing, Biology, Telecommunications

## Also called

Certified Phlebotomist, Certified Phlebotomy Technician (Certified Phlebotomy Tech), Clinical Phlebotomist, Lab Liaison Technician, Lab Phlebotomist (Laboratory Phlebotomist), Long Term Care Phlebotomist, Mobile Examiner, Mobile Phlebotomist, Outpatient Phlebotomist, Patient Service Technician (PST)

## Majors that lead here (NCES CIP–SOC crosswalk, 4-digit CIP)

- [Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/5110) (CIP 5110, 824 colleges)

## Colleges with strong outcomes (College Scorecard, 2025)

| College | Program | Earnings 1 yr | Earnings 4 yrs | Median debt |
| --- | --- | ---: | ---: | ---: |
| [Loma Linda University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/loma-linda-university-1516) | Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions | $112,525 | $125,835 | $20,000 |
| [CUNY York College](https://www.collegesref.com/college/cuny-york-college-749) | Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions | $118,710 | $122,313 | not reported |
| [Stony Brook University SUNY](https://www.collegesref.com/college/stony-brook-university-suny-2611) | Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions | $115,173 | $110,827 | $19,000 |
| [Mercy College-New York](https://www.collegesref.com/college/mercy-college-new-york-1643) | Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions | $116,152 | $110,519 | $25,000 |
| [California State University-Dominguez Hills](https://www.collegesref.com/college/california-state-university-dominguez-hills-367) | Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions | $46,385 | $109,642 | $21,625 |
| [CUNY Hunter College](https://www.collegesref.com/college/cuny-hunter-college-739) | Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions | $96,335 | $104,791 | not reported |
| [Farmingdale State College](https://www.collegesref.com/college/farmingdale-state-college-941) | Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions | $107,484 | $104,169 | not reported |
| [Marist College](https://www.collegesref.com/college/marist-college-1597) | Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions | $108,720 | $101,370 | not reported |

## Related careers

- [Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technicians](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/medical-and-clinical-laboratory-technicians): $62,930 median pay
- [Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/medical-and-clinical-laboratory-technologists): $62,930 median pay
- [Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/cardiovascular-technologists-and-technicians): $74,310 median pay
- [Histotechnologists](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/histotechnologists): $62,930 median pay
- [Medical Assistants](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/medical-assistants): $45,690 median pay
- [Paramedics](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/paramedics): $60,600 median pay

## Sources

- [O*NET Database](https://www.onetcenter.org/database.html), version 31.0 (CC BY 4.0)
- [BLS Employment Projections](https://www.bls.gov/emp/tables.htm), version 2025-35, data year 2025 (Public domain (U.S. government work))
- [BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics](https://www.bls.gov/oes/tables.htm), version 2025, data year 2025 (Public domain (U.S. government work))
- [NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk](https://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/cipcode/resources.aspx?y=56), version 2020, data year 2020 (Public domain (U.S. government work))

O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. CollegesRef has modified all or some of this information.