How much does a phlebotomist make?
The median phlebotomist in the United States earns $45,230 per year, about $21.75 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all phlebotomists earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 31-9097.
Phlebotomist salary range
Pay for phlebotomists spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $35,780 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $58,780. The average (mean) wage of $45,520 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $35,780 | $17.20 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $38,190 | $18.36 | |
| Median (50th) | $45,230 | $21.75 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $48,930 | $23.53 | |
| 90th percentile | $58,780 | $28.26 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for phlebotomists (SOC 31-9097), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Phlebotomist salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Phlebotomists earn the most in California at $56,040 a year, and the least in Louisiana at $36,120. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| California | $56,040 | 13,520 |
| District of Columbia | $51,980 | 180 |
| New York | $50,530 | 6,400 |
| Massachusetts | $50,170 | 2,580 |
| Oregon | $49,160 | 1,800 |
| Washington | $48,880 | 2,820 |
| New Hampshire | $48,660 | 630 |
| New Jersey | $48,650 | 5,230 |
| Delaware | $48,110 | 430 |
| Hawaii | $47,750 | 110 |
| North Dakota | $47,430 | 220 |
| Colorado | $47,180 | 2,420 |
| Wisconsin | $46,470 | 3,610 |
| Rhode Island | $46,380 | 970 |
| Virginia | $46,340 | 3,600 |
| Arizona | $46,260 | 3,430 |
| Illinois | $46,010 | 7,910 |
| Minnesota | $46,000 | 2,090 |
| Vermont | $46,000 | 200 |
| Alaska | $45,900 | 210 |
| Georgia | $45,840 | 5,280 |
| Connecticut | $45,820 | 1,630 |
| Nevada | $45,760 | 1,300 |
| Maine | $45,640 | 500 |
| Montana | $45,470 | 370 |
| Pennsylvania | $43,910 | 5,510 |
| Maryland | $43,480 | 2,040 |
| Idaho | $43,400 | 1,010 |
| North Carolina | $43,330 | 5,410 |
| Missouri | $43,120 | 1,890 |
| New Mexico | $42,910 | 760 |
| Kentucky | $42,480 | 2,500 |
| Utah | $40,630 | 1,680 |
| Texas | $40,450 | 12,820 |
| Florida | $40,230 | 10,220 |
| Michigan | $39,860 | 3,540 |
| Ohio | $39,770 | 5,120 |
| South Dakota | $39,560 | 320 |
| Nebraska | $39,540 | 920 |
| Indiana | $39,250 | 2,410 |
| West Virginia | $39,250 | 1,530 |
| Kansas | $39,100 | 1,120 |
| Oklahoma | $39,030 | 1,670 |
| South Carolina | $39,010 | 2,760 |
| Tennessee | $38,550 | 3,520 |
| Iowa | $38,240 | 1,100 |
| Wyoming | $38,180 | 190 |
| Arkansas | $37,450 | 1,100 |
| Alabama | $37,220 | 2,350 |
| Mississippi | $36,290 | 1,200 |
| Louisiana | $36,120 | 3,410 |
State median wages for phlebotomists (SOC 31-9097), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for phlebotomists
The BLS projects employment of phlebotomists to grow 6.8% from 2025 to 2035. That is faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 143,900 jobs in 2025 moving toward 153,700 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 18,000 openings a year for phlebotomists. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a phlebotomist
The typical entry-level education for phlebotomists is a postsecondary nondegree award, such as a certificate, according to the BLS.
A four-year college degree is usually not required to start, which makes this one of the jobs you can enter without a bachelor's degree. See more high paying jobs without a degree .
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a phlebotomist earns
Certification, work setting, shift, and region shape pay. Hospitals and high cost metros pay above clinics, nursing homes, and rural facilities.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (California, $56,040) and the lowest (Louisiana, $36,120) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 143,540 people work as phlebotomists in the United States. At $45,230 a year, the job pays below the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Phlebotomist salary FAQ
How much does a phlebotomist make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a phlebotomist is $21.75. The middle half of phlebotomists earn between $18.36 and $23.53 per hour.
What is the highest phlebotomist salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of phlebotomists earn more than $58,780 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a phlebotomist make a year?
The median annual salary for a phlebotomist is $45,230. The average (mean) wage of $45,520 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a phlebotomist a well paid job?
At $45,230 a year, a phlebotomist earns below the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 143,540 people work as phlebotomists in the United States.
Which state pays phlebotomists the most?
California has the highest median salary for phlebotomists at $56,040 a year. District of Columbia ($51,980) and New York ($50,530) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being a phlebotomist a good career?
Employment of phlebotomists is projected to grow 6.8% from 2025 to 2035, faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 18,000 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a phlebotomist?
No. The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for phlebotomists as a postsecondary nondegree award, such as a certificate, so a four-year degree is usually not required to start.
Related salaries
See more in Healthcare Support salaries or browse the highest paying jobs in the U.S.