Trade Career Comparison

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Phlebotomist

Draw blood for tests, transfusions, donations, or research. Verify patient identity, label samples, and maintain equipment and supplies.

$43,660/yr median

$34,860$57,750

Faster Than AvgModerateUnion: LowEntry: Low

Training Path

Postsecondary certificate program (a few months)

Environment

Indoor

Outlook

Faster Than Avg (+6%)

BLS Code

31-9097

Pros

✓Extremely fast entry into healthcare — phlebotomy certificate programs take as little as 4-8 weeks, making this one of the quickest paths to a healthcare paycheck.
✓Steady demand with 6% projected job growth and about 18,400 annual openings. Every hospital, lab, blood bank, and many clinics need phlebotomists, so job availability is consistent.
✓A great foot in the door for the healthcare industry. Once you are working in a hospital or lab, you gain exposure to many other healthcare roles and can pursue further education while employed.
✓Relatively focused job scope — you draw blood, label specimens, and ensure proper handling. The training is learnable for most people, and the skill becomes second nature with practice.
✓Flexible scheduling options — hospitals need phlebotomists around the clock, so you can often find shifts that fit your life, including early mornings, part-time, or per diem work.

Cons

✗Pay is modest — the median is around $43,700 a year, and in many areas starting pay is closer to $15-18 per hour. This can be a struggle in expensive markets, and the pay ceiling without further credentials is low.
✗The work is physically repetitive and can become monotonous. You are performing essentially the same procedure dozens of times per day, which some people find tedious after the initial learning period.
✗Needlestick injuries are a genuine occupational hazard. Despite safety protocols, accidental needle pokes happen, and each one carries the anxiety of potential exposure to bloodborne pathogens like HIV or hepatitis.
✗Difficult patients are part of the job — people with hard-to-find veins, patients who are afraid of needles, children who scream, and people who are simply angry about being in a medical setting. You need patience and a thick skin.
✗Limited advancement without additional education. Phlebotomy alone does not lead to promotions. To move up, you will need to pursue certification as a medical laboratory technician, medical assistant, or nurse.

What the Life Is Like

A phlebotomist's day revolves around drawing blood — a lot of it. In a hospital setting, you typically start early (often 5 or 6 AM) to collect morning blood draws ordered by physicians overnight. You move from room to room with your phlebotomy cart, verifying patient identity, selecting the right tubes for ordered tests, finding a suitable vein, performing the draw, labeling specimens, and transporting them to the lab. A busy hospital phlebotomist may draw 20-40 patients in a shift.

In an outpatient lab or clinic, the pace is different — patients come to you, and you work at a draw station. The flow is steadier and more predictable, but high-volume labs can still be fast-paced, especially in the morning when most fasting blood work is done. Blood bank and donation center work involves longer draws but fewer patients per day.

Physically, phlebotomy is lighter than many healthcare jobs — you are not lifting patients or standing in one place for hours. You walk between patient rooms, sit or stand for draws, and carry supplies. The main physical demands are fine motor precision (hitting veins consistently) and the stamina to repeat the same careful movements all day. Emotionally, you need to be calm and reassuring — many patients are anxious about blood draws, and your demeanor directly affects their experience. The best phlebotomists develop a quick, confident technique and a warm bedside manner that puts patients at ease.

How to Get Started

Complete a phlebotomy training program

Community colleges, vocational schools, and some hospitals offer phlebotomy certificate programs ranging from 4 weeks to 6 months. Programs include classroom instruction (anatomy, safety, specimen handling) and hands-on practice performing venipunctures and capillary sticks. Look for programs that include a clinical externship — real-world practice is essential. Tuition is typically $1,000-$3,000, making this one of the most affordable healthcare credentials.

Earn your national phlebotomy certification

While not required in every state, national certification significantly improves your job prospects and pay. The main certifying bodies are ASCP (American Society for Clinical Pathology), NHA (National Healthcareer Association), and AMT (American Medical Technologists). ASCP's PBT certification is the most widely recognized. Note: California, Washington, Nevada, and Louisiana require state certification.

Get CPR certified

Basic Life Support or CPR certification through the American Heart Association is expected by most employers. Complete this before applying for positions — it is quick and inexpensive.

Apply for entry-level positions

Hospitals, commercial laboratories (Quest Diagnostics, Labcorp), blood donation centers (American Red Cross), outpatient clinics, and physician offices all hire phlebotomists. Hospitals generally pay the best and offer the most benefits. New graduates should expect to build speed and confidence over the first few months — no one is perfect at finding veins on day one.

Build experience and consider your next step

After gaining experience, you can pursue specialized areas like blood bank collections, pediatric phlebotomy, or point-of-care testing. More importantly, use this role as a springboard — many phlebotomists move into medical laboratory technician (MLT) programs, medical assisting, nursing, or other healthcare careers. Working in healthcare while deciding your long-term path is one of the biggest advantages of starting in phlebotomy.

Felony Record & Licensing

Varies by State

Certification requirements vary by state. Some states require background checks; others do not require phlebotomist certification at all.

Check your state's licensing board before enrolling in a program. Rules vary significantly.

Training Funding & Support

Pell Grants Are Available Again

As of July 2023, the FAFSA no longer asks about drug convictions. The FAFSA Simplification Act restored Pell Grant eligibility for incarcerated and formerly incarcerated students. If a past drug conviction kept you from financial aid before, you can apply again.

WIOA Workforce Funding

The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) funds free job training, career counseling, and supportive services (transportation, work clothes, childcare) for people reentering the workforce. Contact your local American Job Center (careeronestop.org) to see what's available in your area.

Ban-the-Box & Fair Chance Hiring

Over 37 states and 150+ cities have "ban-the-box" or fair chance hiring laws that prevent employers from asking about criminal history on job applications. Many require waiting until after an interview or conditional job offer. These laws are expanding rapidly — check your state's specific rules.

Licensing laws vary by state and change frequently. This is general guidance, not legal advice. Always verify with your state's licensing board before enrolling in a training program.

Data last verified March 2026 · View sources

We verify our data against official sources. Verification dates show when we last checked — they do not guarantee the information is still current. Laws, rates, and thresholds can change at any time. Always confirm critical information at the official source or with a qualified professional.

National Employment Law Project (NELP) — Fair Chance Hiring

General trade accessibility levels for people with felony convictions — categorized as generally-accessible, varies-by-state, often-restricted, or highly-restricted

https://www.nelp.org/policy-issue/criminal-records-and-employment/

Verified March 2026

trade-schools.net — Jobs for Felons

Trade accessibility and reentry employment guidance for specific trades

https://www.trade-schools.net/articles/jobs-for-felons

Verified March 2026

Hire Felons — Reentry Employment Guide

Employer reentry hiring policies and trade accessibility for people with felony convictions

https://www.hirefelons.org/

Verified March 2026

ASE — About ASE Testing

ASE (Automotive Service Excellence) certification — no criminal history screening

https://www.ase.com/certification-series/

Verified March 2026

OSHA — Powered Industrial Trucks

OSHA forklift certification — employer-provided, no criminal history screening

https://www.osha.gov/powered-industrial-trucks

Verified March 2026

EPA — Section 608 Technician Certification

EPA Section 608 refrigerant certification — no criminal history screening

https://www.epa.gov/section608

Verified March 2026

Federal Student Aid — FAFSA Simplification Act

Pell Grant eligibility restored for people with drug convictions and incarcerated individuals, effective July 1, 2023; PELL_GRANT_RESTORED_DATE: "July 2023"

FAFSA Simplification Act, Pub. L. 117-103 (2021); 20 U.S.C. § 1070a

https://studentaid.gov/announcements-events/fafsa-simplification

Verified March 2026

National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) — Ban the Box Legislation

Ban-the-box and fair chance hiring laws — 37+ states + DC + 150+ localities as of 2026; BAN_THE_BOX_STATE_COUNT: 37; BAN_THE_BOX_CITY_COUNT: 150

https://www.ncsl.org/labor-and-employment/ban-the-box-legislation

Verified March 2026

NELP — Ban the Box: U.S. Cities, Counties, and States

Fair chance hiring law coverage — 37+ states + DC + 150+ localities; BAN_THE_BOX_PRIVATE_EMPLOYER_STATES: ["California", "Illinois", "New Jersey", "Washington"]

https://www.nelp.org/publication/ban-the-box-fair-chance-hiring-state-and-local-guide/

Verified March 2026

U.S. Department of Labor — Reentry Employment Opportunities (REO)

WIOA Section 169 workforce funding for reentry — job training, career counseling, and supportive services

Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, 29 U.S.C. § 3224; WIOA Sec. 169

https://www.dol.gov/agencies/eta/reentry

Verified March 2026

Legal Information Institute — 18 U.S.C. § 922

18 U.S.C. § 922(g) — federal prohibition on felons possessing firearms, effectively barring law enforcement careers

18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1)

https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/18/922

Verified March 2026