How to Become a Phlebotomy Technician in Texas (2026)
Texas employs about 12,820 phlebotomy technicians earning a median $40,450 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.
Texas employs approximately 12,820 phlebotomy technicians according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $40,450 1. 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 Texas, 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 (Texas): $40,450 per year 1
Quick Answers About How to Become a Phlebotomy Technician in Texas
How to become a Phlebotomy Technician in Texas? 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 Texas? Licensing varies. Confirm with the program and employer. See the licensing section below.
What do phlebotomy technicians earn in Texas? The median annual wage for phlebotomy technicians in Texas is $40,450 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $32,570 and experienced professionals can earn $53,560 or more 1.
How to Become a Phlebotomy Technician in Texas
- 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 Texas. 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 Texas
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 Texas
Phlebotomists Wages by Metro Area in Texas
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), phlebotomists wages in Texas vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington | 3,840 | $46,480 | $45,680 | $37,490 | $56,220 |
| Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands | 2,620 | $45,540 | $44,230 | $35,880 | $55,650 |
| San Antonio-New Braunfels | 1,210 | $38,810 | $41,660 | $34,480 | $48,680 |
| Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos | 920 | $45,570 | $45,650 | $37,350 | $55,580 |
| McAllen-Edinburg-Mission | 430 | $35,050 | $36,440 | $29,450 | $43,750 |
| El Paso | 420 | $35,820 | $38,120 | $30,390 | $46,510 |
| Brownsville-Harlingen | 230 | $35,460 | $36,260 | $30,270 | $44,970 |
| Corpus Christi | 210 | $36,670 | $39,760 | $31,710 | $48,430 |
| Lubbock | 210 | $37,210 | $39,160 | $30,990 | $48,370 |
| Tyler | 200 | $38,150 | $39,600 | $31,430 | $46,890 |
| Killeen-Temple | 150 | $37,930 | $39,530 | $32,060 | $45,980 |
| Beaumont-Port Arthur | 130 | $36,500 | $39,310 | $31,410 | $46,320 |
| Amarillo | 110 | $38,480 | $38,760 | $31,130 | $45,630 |
| Longview | 110 | $38,620 | $40,430 | $31,630 | $48,980 |
| Waco | 110 | $42,440 | $40,880 | $32,090 | $48,110 |
| College Station-Bryan | 100 | $36,710 | $38,680 | $31,550 | $46,980 |
| Laredo | 90 | $33,950 | $35,250 | $28,900 | $45,060 |
| Sherman-Denison | 80 | $36,230 | $39,130 | $31,640 | $47,490 |
| Odessa | 70 | $36,340 | $39,080 | $33,100 | $47,360 |
| Texarkana | 70 | $35,140 | $36,510 | $29,980 | $45,540 |
| Wichita Falls | 70 | $40,440 | $39,400 | $29,340 | $51,380 |
| Victoria | 60 | $35,840 | $37,760 | $31,430 | $47,470 |
| Abilene | 50 | $36,100 | $36,340 | $28,560 | $44,530 |
| San Angelo | 50 | $38,590 | $41,210 | $31,200 | $50,840 |
| Eagle Pass | 40 | $31,370 | $33,250 | $28,510 | $38,490 |
| Midland | 40 | $41,890 | $43,650 | $36,810 | $54,770 |
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 Texas? Texas currently employs approximately 12,820 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 Texas with an out-of-state license? Confirm reciprocity rules with the program and employer.
What training programs are available in Texas? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and state-approved training programs. Use the school finder above to search for programs in Texas.
How much do phlebotomy technicians earn in Texas compared to the national average? The median annual wage for phlebotomy technicians in Texas is $40,450, which is $3,210 below the national median of $43,660 according to BLS data 1.
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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) |