PHLEBOTOMY • CAREER PLANNING
Phlebotomy career outlook
Explore the work, employment settings, and questions to consider as you plan a career in specimen collection.
What does a phlebotomist do?
Phlebotomists collect blood for testing, donation, and other purposes. Their work may include confirming patient identity, explaining the collection process, labeling specimens, recording information, and maintaining clean equipment and work areas.
Where do phlebotomists work?
Potential settings include hospitals, diagnostic laboratories, physicians’ offices, and blood-donation services. Some jobs involve mobile collection. Hospital and laboratory schedules may include nights, weekends, or holidays. Duties and requirements vary by employer.
National employment and wage snapshot
7% projected growth
Employment growth from 2025 to 2035.
About 18,000 openings annually
Averaged over that projection period, including replacement openings.
$45,230 national median annual wage
May 2025. The median is not an entry-level wage or a promised graduate salary.
These U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics figures describe the occupation nationwide. Local demand, experience, employer, and work schedule can affect opportunities and compensation.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Phlebotomists. Reviewed September 21, 2026.
Plan your path into the field
01 · Research the jobs you would apply for
Compare several recent postings in your intended work area. Look for required education, certification, documented collection experience, scheduling expectations, and whether the employer provides additional training. Keep a list of requirements that appear repeatedly.
02 · Compare training with those requirements
Review the curriculum, learning format, skills practice, completion requirements, and available instructor support. Ask how skills are assessed and documented. Choose a program based on how its training fits your goals and circumstances.
03 · Check the credential pathway
Course completion does not automatically confer national certification. Before selecting an exam, confirm the certifying organization’s current education and practical-experience requirements. Ask employers which credentials they accept.
04 · Prepare an accurate application
Describe your completed coursework and demonstrated skills honestly. Identify a school certificate and any independently earned certification separately. Retain documentation that an employer or certifier may request.
Questions to ask before choosing training
- Can I meet the study schedule and technology requirements?
- What practice and documentation will I need for my intended credential?
- What additional requirements appear in local job postings?
- Does this role fit my comfort with patient interaction, specimen handling, and workplace schedules?
Stonecrest Health does not guarantee employment, certification, licensure, or wage outcomes. Enrollment is pending approval.
Explore your learning path.
Review the Phlebotomy Technician program, explore the curriculum, or ask Stonecrest a question.