Career comparison
Certified Nursing Assistant vs. Phlebotomist
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
Phlebotomists earn more at the median ($45,230 vs. $42,260), while certified nursing assistants usually get to work faster (4–12 weeks of training). Certified nursing assistants provide hands-on daily care to patients and residents under nurse supervision. Phlebotomists draw blood for tests, transfusions and donations, safely and accurately.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| Certified Nursing Assistant | Phlebotomist | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $42,260 ($20.32/hr) | $45,230 ($21.75/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $33,940 – $51,980 | $35,780 – $58,780 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | +2.6% (about as fast as average) | +6.8% (faster than average) |
| Openings per year | 196,200 | 18,000 |
| Typical entry education | Postsecondary nondegree award | Postsecondary nondegree award |
| Training time | 4–12 weeks | 1–4 months |
| Key credential | State CNA certification | CPT (NHA) |
| Work setting | CNAs work mainly in nursing and residential care facilities, hospitals, assisted living and home health. | Phlebotomists work in hospitals, diagnostic laboratories, blood donor centers, physician offices and mobile collection services. |
What each job does
Certified Nursing Assistant
- Help patients bathe, dress, groom, eat and use the toilet
- Turn, reposition and transfer patients safely
- Measure and record vital signs, intake and output
- Observe and report changes in condition, skin or behavior to the nurse
- Make occupied and unoccupied beds and keep rooms clean and safe
Phlebotomist
- Verify patient identity and test orders before every draw
- Select the appropriate site, needle and collection tubes
- Perform venipuncture, capillary (fingerstick) and heelstick collections
- Follow the correct order of draw to prevent additive contamination
- Label specimens at the bedside and complete chain-of-custody forms when required
How they’re similar
Both careers involve helping others, working with people, hands-on work, and indoor work. Both are part of the healthcare field, so many skills transfer between them.
Which should you choose?
Choose certified nursing assistant if…
- I’m comfortable helping people bathe and use the bathroom
- I have the physical stamina to lift, turn and walk all shift
- I’m patient with older adults and people with dementia
Choose phlebotomist if…
- I don’t get queasy around blood or needles
- I can keep a nervous person calm and talking
- I like doing a precise task the same careful way every time
Still torn? Take the Certified Nursing Assistant fit quiz and the Phlebotomist fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, certified nursing assistant or phlebotomist?
Phlebotomists earn more at the median: $45,230 versus $42,260 for certified nursing assistants, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Certified Nursing Assistants typically train faster (4–12 weeks) than phlebotomists (1–4 months).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects phlebotomists to grow +6.8% from 2025–35, compared with +2.6% for certified nursing assistants.