Phlebotomist Salary by State (2026)

Q: How can a phlebotomist increase their pay?

Phlebotomists can increase pay by moving from outpatient draw stations to hospital or reference-lab settings, picking up pediatric or difficult-draw specialization, cross-training in EKG or specimen processing, or advancing into a lead phlebotomist or lab operations role.

Average phlebotomist wages across all 50 states and D.C., sourced from Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data. Phlebotomist pay varies significantly by state — from under $37,000/year in parts of the South to over $50,000 in top-paying states.

$21.05

National avg. hourly

$43,780

National avg. annual

143.9K

Phlebotomists employed (US)

StateHourlyAnnualTypical range

California$26.94↑$56,040$44,330–$72,830 Washington DC$24.99↑$51,980$41,120–$67,550 New York$24.29↑$50,530$39,970–$65,670 Massachusetts$24.12↑$50,170$39,690–$65,200 Oregon$23.63↑$49,160$38,890–$63,890 Washington$23.50↑$48,880$38,670–$63,520 New Hampshire$23.40↑$48,660$38,490–$63,240 New Jersey$23.39↑$48,650$38,490–$63,220 Delaware$23.13↑$48,110$38,060–$62,520 Hawaii$22.96↑$47,750$37,770–$62,050 North Dakota$22.81↑$47,430$37,520–$61,640 Colorado$22.69↑$47,180$37,320–$61,310 Wisconsin$22.34↑$46,470$36,760–$60,390 Rhode Island$22.30↑$46,380$36,690–$60,270 Virginia$22.28↑$46,340$36,660–$60,220 Arizona$22.24↑$46,260$36,590–$60,120 Illinois$22.12↑$46,010$36,400–$59,790 Minnesota$22.12↑$46,000$36,390–$59,780 Vermont$22.12↑$46,000$36,390–$59,780 Alaska$22.07↑$45,900$36,310–$59,650 Georgia$22.04↑$45,840$36,260–$59,570 Connecticut$22.03↑$45,820$36,250–$59,550 Nevada$22.00↑$45,760$36,200–$59,470 Maine$21.94↑$45,640$36,100–$59,310 Montana$21.86↑$45,470$35,970–$59,090 Pennsylvania$21.11↑$43,910$34,740–$57,060 Maryland$20.91↓$43,480$34,400–$56,510 Idaho$20.87↓$43,400$34,330–$56,400 North Carolina$20.83↓$43,330$34,280–$56,310 Missouri$20.73↓$43,120$34,110–$56,040 New Mexico$20.63↓$42,910$33,940–$55,760 Kentucky$20.42↓$42,480$33,600–$55,210 Utah$19.54↓$40,630$32,140–$52,800 Texas$19.45↓$40,450$32,000–$52,570 Florida$19.34↓$40,230$31,820–$52,280 Michigan$19.16↓$39,860$31,530–$51,800 Ohio$19.12↓$39,770$31,460–$51,680 South Dakota$19.02↓$39,560$31,290–$51,410 Nebraska$19.01↓$39,540$31,280–$51,390 Indiana$18.87↓$39,250$31,050–$51,010 West Virginia$18.87↓$39,250$31,050–$51,010 Kansas$18.80↓$39,100$30,930–$50,810 Oklahoma$18.76↓$39,030$30,880–$50,720 South Carolina$18.76↓$39,010$30,860–$50,700 Tennessee$18.53↓$38,550$30,500–$50,100 Iowa$18.38↓$38,240$30,250–$49,700 Wyoming$18.36↓$38,180$30,200–$49,620 Arkansas$18.01↓$37,450$29,630–$48,670 Alabama$17.89↓$37,220$29,440–$48,370 Mississippi$17.45↓$36,290$28,710–$47,160 Louisiana$17.36↓$36,120$28,570–$46,940

Phlebotomist Salary FAQ

What is the average phlebotomist salary in the United States?

The national average phlebotomist wage is $21.05 per hour, or about $43,780 per year. The BLS reports a median annual wage of $45,230 (May 2025). Wages vary by state, work setting (hospital vs. reference lab vs. outpatient draw station), and years of experience.

Which state pays phlebotomists the most?

California has the highest average phlebotomist pay at $26.94/hour ($56,040/year). Other top-paying states include Washington DC ($24.99/hr) and New York ($24.29/hr).

Do certified phlebotomists earn more than uncertified phlebotomists?

Generally yes. NHA CPT certification signals verified competency and is required or preferred by most hospitals, reference labs, and blood donation centers — the settings that tend to pay the most. Many employers will not hire uncertified phlebotomists at all.

How can a phlebotomist increase their pay?

Phlebotomists can increase pay by: (1) moving from outpatient draw stations to hospital or reference-lab settings, (2) picking up pediatric or difficult-draw specialization, (3) cross-training in EKG or specimen processing, or (4) advancing into a lead phlebotomist or lab operations role.

How many phlebotomists are employed in the United States?

The BLS reports approximately 143,900 phlebotomists employed in the United States (2025), with job growth projected at 7% from 2025 to 2035 — much faster than average, driven by expanding lab testing volume and an aging population.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) and Occupational Outlook Handbook, SOC Code 31-9097 (Phlebotomists). Data reflects annual averages and may not reflect recent wage changes.

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