Certification

• The state of Michigan does not regulate the occupation of phlebotomy, but job postings at the job search website Indeed.com indicate that many employers require phlebotomists to hold certification from a professional organization, such as the American Society of Phlebotomy Technicians or the National Phlebotomy Association. Certification requires completing a training course and passing an exam. The credential provides evidence of a certain level of competency and skill.
  
  

Comparisons

• Phlebotomists earn varying median salaries in Michigan depending on the city. Those in Traverse City, for instance, were making a median salary of $26,500 per year in January 2011, translating to about $12.70 per hour, while those in Detroit had an average salary of $30,930, or about $14.90 per hour. Phlebotomists earned an amount between these figures in Marquette, with an annual median salary of $26,520, in Benton Harbor at $28,270, in Flint $28,410, in Bay City, $29,020, and in Lansing, $29,740. Phlebotomists in the middle 50 percent of earnings in this group of cities were making $23,850 to $34,250 per year, or about $11.50 to $16.50 per hour.
  
  

Nationwide Rates

• The nationwide median wage for phlebotomy workers was $29,330 in January 2011, or about $14.10 per hour, similar to the pay rate in many Michigan regions. The middle 50 percent range nationwide was $26,400 to $32,490 per year, or about $12.70 to $15.60 per hour.
  
  

Specifics

• Indeed.com listed about 100 job openings for phlebotomists throughout Michigan in January 2011. Positions were available in hospitals and plasma resource centers; temporary agencies also were looking for phlebotomists. Hourly pay rates ranged from about $10.60 to $18.20 per hour. First- and second-shift jobs were available, and some required working every other weekend and participating in a holiday-coverage schedule. Aside from phlebotomist certification, many employers required a high school diploma or equivalent, excellent customer service and interpersonal skills, basic computer skills, a certain level of physical fitness and certification in cardiopulmonary resuscitation, or CPR.