Is it in Your Blood? Find Your Phlebotomist Salary

Phlebotomists are responsible for obtaining blood samples from patients and preparing them for storage, transport or testing. According to 2009 surveys done by ADVANCE for Medical Laboratory Professionals and the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP), the following are typical for a phlebotomist salary:

After attaining your high school diploma or GED, most aspiring phlebotomists undergo a 1-semester to 1-year certificate or training program that includes the following courses: 

• Anatomy and physiology
• Medical terminology
• Basic safety skills
• Bloodborne pathogen procedures
• Basic phlebotomy techniques.

These education courses may increase your chances of getting hired. Technicians who want to focus on a specific area of phlebotomy, such as blood bank services, may require additional experience or degrees.

Most states do not require certification or licensure to become a phlebotomist, but certification is highly recommended, as most employers require it—as well as annual recertification. Testing and certification programs are offered by the following certifying bodies:

• National Phlebotomy Association
• American Society of Phlebotomy Technicians
• American Society for Clinical Pathology

If a medical phlebotomy career sounds like a field of health care you'd enjoy, start researching top accredited health schools and get started on your phlebotomy training or certification today.