Jobs Similar to Phlebotomists
The careers below use the most similar skills, knowledge and work activities to phlebotomists, according to O*NET 31.0. The closest are Ophthalmic Medical Technologists, Ophthalmic Medical Technicians and Nuclear Medicine Technologists.
Phlebotomists: $45,230 median pay · usual preparation: Training or associate.
Updated October 2026 · Data: O*NET 31.0 and BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
The 20 most similar careers
| # | Career | Similarity | Median pay (vs. Phlebotomists) | Usual preparation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ophthalmic Medical Technologists | 81% | $50,290Broader BLS group · not compared | Training or associate |
| 2 | Ophthalmic Medical Technicians | 80% | $45,570+1% | Training or associate |
| 3 | Nuclear Medicine Technologists | 78% | $101,370+124% | Training or associate |
| 4 | Dental AssistantsSame group | 78% | $48,070+6% | Training or associate |
| 5 | Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal CaretakersSame group | 78% | $38,150−16% | High school |
| 6 | Neurodiagnostic Technologists | 78% | $50,290Broader BLS group · not compared | Training or associate |
| 7 | Medical AssistantsSame group | 77% | $45,690+1% | Training or associate |
| 8 | Radiologic Technologists and Technicians | 77% | $80,110+77% | Training or associate |
| 9 | Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians | 76% | $74,310+64% | Training or associate |
| 10 | Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | 76% | $64,400+42% | Training or associate |
| 11 | Orderlies | 76% | $38,290−15% | High school |
| 12 | Animal Caretakers | 76% | $35,360−22% | High school |
| 13 | Endoscopy TechniciansSame group | 75% | $48,430Broader BLS group · not compared | High school |
| 14 | Respiratory Therapists | 75% | $82,280+82% | Training or associate |
| 15 | Physical Therapist Aides | 75% | $35,240−22% | High school |
| 16 | Registered Nurses | 75% | $97,550+116% | Bachelor's degree |
| 17 | Nursing Assistants | 74% | $42,260−7% | Training or associate |
| 18 | Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | 74% | $33,580−26% | High school |
| 19 | Veterinary Technologists and Technicians | 74% | $47,380+5% | Training or associate |
| 20 | Pharmacy Technicians | 74% | $45,750+1% | Training or associate |
- 1Ophthalmic Medical Technologists
81% similar · $50,290 (broader group) · Training or associate
- 2Ophthalmic Medical Technicians
80% similar · $45,570 (+1%) · Training or associate
- 3Nuclear Medicine Technologists
78% similar · $101,370 (+124%) · Training or associate
- 4Dental Assistants
78% similar · $48,070 (+6%) · Training or associate · Same group
- 5Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers
78% similar · $38,150 (−16%) · High school · Same group
- 6Neurodiagnostic Technologists
78% similar · $50,290 (broader group) · Training or associate
- 7Medical Assistants
77% similar · $45,690 (+1%) · Training or associate · Same group
- 8Radiologic Technologists and Technicians
77% similar · $80,110 (+77%) · Training or associate
- 9Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians
76% similar · $74,310 (+64%) · Training or associate
- 10Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses
76% similar · $64,400 (+42%) · Training or associate
- 11Orderlies
76% similar · $38,290 (−15%) · High school
- 12Animal Caretakers
76% similar · $35,360 (−22%) · High school
- 13Endoscopy Technicians
75% similar · $48,430 (broader group) · High school · Same group
- 14Respiratory Therapists
75% similar · $82,280 (+82%) · Training or associate
- 15Physical Therapist Aides
75% similar · $35,240 (−22%) · High school
- 16Registered Nurses
75% similar · $97,550 (+116%) · Bachelor's degree
- 17Nursing Assistants
74% similar · $42,260 (−7%) · Training or associate
- 18Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers
74% similar · $33,580 (−26%) · High school
- 19Veterinary Technologists and Technicians
74% similar · $47,380 (+5%) · Training or associate
- 20Pharmacy Technicians
74% similar · $45,750 (+1%) · Training or associate
Similarity: weighted correlation of O*NET 31.0 transferable skills (35%), knowledge (25%), work activities (15%) and interests (15%). Pay and schooling do not change it. Pay change compares BLS May 2025 national medians; careers with only a broader BLS group wage are not compared. “Same group”: the same BLS occupation group (SOC minor group). Methodology
Similar jobs that pay more
Only careers that usually need no more preparation than phlebotomists.
- Nuclear Medicine Technologists78% similar · $101,370 (+124%)
- Respiratory Therapists75% similar · $82,280 (+82%)
- Radiologic Technologists and Technicians77% similar · $80,110 (+77%)
- Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians76% similar · $74,310 (+64%)
- Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses76% similar · $64,400 (+42%)
- Dental Assistants78% similar · $48,070 (+6%)
Similar jobs that need less preparation
- Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers78% similar · High school
- Orderlies76% similar · High school
- Animal Caretakers76% similar · High school
- Endoscopy Technicians75% similar · High school
- Physical Therapist Aides75% similar · High school
- Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers74% similar · High school
Thinking of a career change?
Similar is not the same as a good next step. Our career-change list for phlebotomists also weighs pay drops and extra schooling, and puts jobs outside the field first.
Jobs that can lead here
Careers where phlebotomists is one of the best career-change matches (match score in brackets).
Questions about jobs like phlebotomists
What jobs are most similar to phlebotomists?
By O*NET 31.0 data, the closest are Ophthalmic Medical Technologists (81% similar), Ophthalmic Medical Technicians (80% similar), Nuclear Medicine Technologists (78% similar), Dental Assistants (78% similar) and Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers (78% similar).
Which jobs like phlebotomists pay more?
Among the 20 most similar careers, Nuclear Medicine Technologists ($101,370, +124%; usually training or an associate degree), Registered Nurses ($97,550, +116%; usually a bachelor's degree) and Respiratory Therapists ($82,280, +82%; usually training or an associate degree) have the highest BLS median pay compared with phlebotomists ($45,230). Without more preparation than phlebotomists usually need: Nuclear Medicine Technologists, Respiratory Therapists and Radiologic Technologists and Technicians.
How is the similarity percentage worked out?
We compare how important each transferable skill, knowledge area, work activity and interest area is in both jobs (O*NET 31.0 ratings) with a weighted correlation. 100% would mean the same profile. Unlike our career-change matches, pay and extra schooling do not lower the similarity on this page.