How to Become a Phlebotomy Technician in Illinois (2026)
Illinois employs about 7,910 phlebotomy technicians earning a median $46,010 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Training as a Phlebotomy Technician here means completing an approved phlebotomy program, a national exam, and state certification where required. Confirm credential rules with the program and employer.
Key Facts
- Median wage (Illinois): $46,010/yr (Source: BLS OEWS, 2025)
- Employed in Illinois: 7,910 workers (Source: BLS OEWS, 2025)
- Location quotient: 1.40x U.S. average (Source: BLS OEWS, 2025)
- Projected growth: 5.6% (2024-2034) (Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024)
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Compare Phlebotomy Technician Schools in Illinois
| # | School | BOC Score (0–100) | Tuition | Median grad earnings (all majors) | Graduation rate | Online | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Moraine Valley Community College | 60.0 | Contact school for pricing | $51,357 | 37% | Yes* | 74 mi |
| 2 | Waubonsee Community College | 59.6 | Contact school for pricing | $51,678 | Not reported | Yes* | 60 mi |
| 3 | William Rainey Harper College | 59.2 | Contact school for pricing | $56,704 | Not reported | Yes* | 87 mi |
| 4 | Illinois Valley Community College | 58.3 | $4,200 - $16,385 | $48,989 | 43% | Yes* | 22 mi |
| 5 | Spoon River College | 56.1 | Contact school for pricing | $35,368 | 42% | Yes* | 68 mi |
| 6 | Joliet Junior College | 55.1 | $4,530 - $13,800 | $51,121 | 21% | Yes* | 52 mi |
| 7 | Richland Community College | 53.4 | Contact school for pricing | $51,785 | 52% | Yes* | 78 mi |
| 8 | Kankakee Community College | 53.4 | $5,220 - $25,830 | $50,343 | 35% | Yes* | 57 mi |
| 9 | Heartland Community College | 51.7 | $5,550 - $16,727 | $48,942 | 53% | Yes* | 33 mi |
| 10 | Elgin Community College | 50.2 | Contact school for pricing | $54,220 | 41% | — | 77 mi |
Schools closest to the page's primary location are gathered first, then ranked by BOC Score; distance from the page's primary location is shown for reference. The BOC Score is an independent measure of school outcomes (graduation, earnings, net price, retention) expressed as a 0–100 percentile within each school's peer group; higher is better and advertising never affects it. *Online availability refers to coursework; hands-on trade training is completed in person. Read the full methodology.
Illinois employs approximately 7,910 phlebotomy technicians according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $46,010 1. The state’s concentration of phlebotomy technician jobs is 1.40x the national average, indicating strong demand. Nationally, phlebotomy technician employment is projected to grow 5.6% from 2024 to 2034, with about 18,400 openings per year 2. This page covers how to become a Phlebotomy Technician in Illinois, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.
At a Glance
- Training paths: approved phlebotomy program (find programs)
- Typical timeline: an approved phlebotomy program, a national exam, and state certification where required
- Exam: NHA CPT, ASCP PBT, or the exam the state accepts
- Median wage (Illinois): $46,010 per year 1
Quick Answers About How to Become a Phlebotomy Technician in Illinois
How to become a Phlebotomy Technician in Illinois? Complete an approved phlebotomy program, a national exam, and state certification where required. Confirm credential rules with the program and employer.
How long does it take? Most people finish an approved phlebotomy program, a national exam, and state certification where required. Confirm current hour totals with the program and employer.
Do I need a license in Illinois? Licensing varies. Confirm with the program and employer. See the licensing section below.
What do phlebotomy technicians earn in Illinois? The median annual wage for phlebotomy technicians in Illinois is $46,010 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $37,370 and experienced professionals can earn $54,920 or more 1.
How to Become a Phlebotomy Technician in Illinois
- Meet entry rules. Programs typically require a high school diploma or GED. Confirm rules with the program.
- Complete an approved phlebotomy program. Finish a phlebotomy program in Illinois. This is not a registered apprenticeship.
- Pass a national exam the state accepts. Most states use NHA CPT, ASCP PBT, AMT RPT, or NCCT. Confirm which exam the employer accepts where the state certifies phlebotomists.
- Apply for state certification where required. Apply for state certification where required. Confirm with the employer.
Steps and hour totals vary by credential level; confirm current requirements with the state board before you apply.
Phlebotomy Technician License Requirements in Illinois
Most states do not license phlebotomists separately; employers want a national exam. Some states certify this role; most do not. Confirm with the employer when a state credential exists.
Typical path
Complete an approved phlebotomy program.
Pass a national exam the state accepts.
Apply to the employer when the state certifies phlebotomists.
Hour totals, fees, and reciprocity rules change. Confirm current requirements with the employer before you enroll.
Phlebotomy Technician Wages by Metro Area in Illinois
Phlebotomists Wages by Metro Area in Illinois
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), phlebotomists wages in Illinois vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin | 5,310 | $47,190 | $47,420 | $38,150 | $56,200 |
| St. Louis | 670 | $45,750 | $44,200 | $35,890 | $49,730 |
| Kankakee | 540 | $40,230 | $41,970 | $38,170 | $47,960 |
| Rockford | 260 | $44,080 | $43,260 | $37,120 | $48,270 |
| Champaign-Urbana | 250 | $45,480 | $45,120 | $37,520 | $59,170 |
| Springfield | 240 | $41,420 | $43,820 | $37,250 | $48,220 |
| Peoria | 220 | $44,020 | $43,290 | $38,810 | $45,150 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island | 190 | $44,510 | $43,520 | $37,430 | $49,100 |
| Bloomington | 120 | $40,540 | $42,580 | $37,910 | $47,790 |
| Paducah | 70 | $38,500 | $41,500 | $36,200 | $46,730 |
| Decatur | 60 | $47,720 | $44,830 | $36,550 | $50,290 |
| Cape Girardeau | 50 | $36,140 | $37,800 | $33,130 | $46,010 |
Wages reflect survey data and vary based on experience, credentials, employer, and local market conditions. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May .
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for phlebotomy technicians in Illinois? Illinois currently employs approximately 7,910 phlebotomy technicians 1. Nationally, phlebotomy technician employment is projected to grow 5.6% from 2024 to 2034 2.
Can I work as a phlebotomy technician in Illinois with an out-of-state license? Confirm reciprocity rules with the program and employer.
What training programs are available in Illinois? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and state-approved training programs. Use the school finder above to search for programs in Illinois.
How much do phlebotomy technicians earn in Illinois compared to the national average? The median annual wage for phlebotomy technicians in Illinois is $46,010, which is $2,350 above the national median of $43,660 according to BLS data 1.
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In Illinois
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Citations
About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.
References
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Data sources
Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.
| Data | Provider | Vintage |
|---|---|---|
| Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | May 2025 |
| Employment Projections | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | 2024-2034 |
| Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System | National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS) | 2024 |
| College Scorecard (school-level outcomes) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release |
| College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release (updated 2026-06-12) |
| Occupational licensing requirements | CareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2026-02-22) |
| Registered apprenticeship programs | CareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2025-10-25) |
| O*NET occupation profiles (skills, tasks, tools, job zones) | U.S. Department of Labor (O*NET / Employment & Training Admin.) | O*NET 29.1 (updated 2026-06-13) |