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Phlebotomist vs Lab Assistant: pay, jobs and what each takes
Phlebotomists and laboratory assistants side by side: what each earns by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics and by the jobs open today, how many jobs there are, and the education and credentials each takes.
Phlebotomist vs Lab Assistant, side by side
| Phlebotomist | Laboratory assistant | |
|---|---|---|
| Open jobs on this board today | 2,091 | 969 |
| Median posted hourly pay (open jobs) | $22.56 | $23.28 |
| Median hourly pay (BLS, May 2025) | $21.75 | $30.26 |
| Median yearly pay (BLS) | $45,230 | $62,930 |
| Projected employment change (BLS, 2025-2035) | +6.8% | +2.7% |
| Openings a year (BLS) | 18,000 | 20,800 |
| Typical education to enter (BLS) | Postsecondary nondegree award | Bachelor's degree |
| Credentials | Phlebotomy technician, PBT(ASCP); Registered phlebotomy technician (RPT) | None required nationally |
Phlebotomist vs Lab Assistant: common questions
Who makes more, a phlebotomist or a laboratory assistant?
Laboratory assistants, by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025): a median of $30.26 an hour ($62,930 a year), against $21.75 ($45,230 a year) for phlebotomists, $8.51 an hour more. The open jobs on this board today post medians of $22.56 an hour for phlebotomists and $23.28 for laboratory assistants.
Are there more phlebotomist or laboratory assistant jobs?
On this board today: 2,091 open phlebotomist jobs and 969 laboratory assistant jobs, read from each employer's own job board. BLS expects about 18,000 openings a year for phlebotomists and 20,800 for laboratory assistants, with employment changing +6.8% and +2.7% over 2025-2035.
What is the difference between a phlebotomist and a laboratory assistant?
Phlebotomists draw blood from patients for tests and donations, label samples and keep patients calm, in hospitals, outpatient labs, blood banks and plasma centers. Laboratory assistants receive, label and prepare specimens, load analyzers and often draw blood, keeping samples moving through the lab.
How do you become a phlebotomist or a laboratory assistant?
A short phlebotomy program (a few weeks to a few months) or on-the-job training. (BLS: Postsecondary nondegree award.) A high school diploma; many employers train on the job or hire phlebotomists. (BLS: Bachelor's degree.) Each occupation's page lists its credentials and who grants them: Phlebotomists, Laboratory assistants.
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Sources and method
Pay and outlook are BLS's figures for each occupation's main SOC code; open jobs and their posted median are this board's, counted as each occupation's own page counts them.
- US Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025) and Employment Projections (2025-2035)
- CareJobs.Now job board: open jobs read every night from each employer's own careers site
Cite this page
CareJobs.Now. (2026). Phlebotomist vs Lab Assistant: Pay, Jobs and Requirements Compared. Data as of 9 Nov 2026. https://carejobs.now/compare-careers/phlebotomist-vs-lab-assistant