How Much Does a Phlebotomist Make? Phlebotomist Salary Data for 2026

According to the 2024 BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey for phlebotomists (SOC 31-9097), the national median annual wage was $37,380, or approximately $17.97 per hour.

BLS wage percentiles for phlebotomists:

• 10th percentile: ~$30,000/year
• 25th percentile: ~$33,000/year
• 50th percentile (median): $37,380/year
• 75th percentile: ~$43,000/year
• 90th percentile: ~$49,000/year

The relatively compressed range between the 10th and 90th percentiles reflects the standardized nature of phlebotomy work and the limited progression pathway within the title itself.

Phlebotomists who advance their clinical training — moving into medical laboratory science, medical assisting, or nursing — can access substantially higher wages in adjacent roles.

The CNA salary and the LPN salary are two common next steps for phlebotomists who pursue additional clinical credentials.

To see exactly how wages like $17 an hour translate to annual, monthly, and after-tax take-home, our guide on $17 an hour is how much a year breaks down every pay period. For other rates in the range above, browse our hourly wage conversion guide index.

Phlebotomist wages increase modestly with experience and certification, with the most meaningful pay differences tied to employer setting rather than years on the job. The following reflects typical national estimates:

Phlebotomists with specialty skills — such as pediatric phlebotomy, difficult-stick experience, or mobile phlebotomy for at-home patient draws — may command wages above the typical range for their experience level.

Geographic variation in phlebotomist pay is meaningful.

Higher-cost states and those with stronger healthcare employment markets tend to pay above the national median.

The cost of living in California and the cost of living in Washington State are two of the states consistently associated with above-median phlebotomist wages.

States with consistently above-average phlebotomist wages include California, Washington, Oregon, and Alaska — reflecting higher costs of living and competitive healthcare labor markets in those states.

The cost of living in California and the cost of living in Washington State are important context for whether above-median phlebotomist wages in those states actually produce meaningfully better living standards.

Employer setting also significantly affects pay:

• Hospitals and health systems: Generally the highest-paying setting for phlebotomists, with access to shift differentials for evening, overnight, and weekend work that can meaningfully raise total annual compensation. Hospital phlebotomists may also have access to employer-sponsored healthcare and retirement benefits.
• Blood banks and plasma donation centers: Compensation comparable to hospital settings in many markets; specialized environment with focused skill development.
• Physician offices and outpatient clinics: Wages often at or slightly below the national median; typically regular weekday hours without shift differentials.
• Mobile and at-home phlebotomy: A growing segment driven by telehealth and concierge medicine; pay varies but can be competitive, particularly for contractors or those working independently.
• Retail and commercial laboratory locations: Chain laboratory service centers (such as Quest Diagnostics and LabCorp patient service centers) employ large numbers of phlebotomists; wages are typically near the national median.

Several factors beyond years of experience meaningfully influence phlebotomist compensation:

• Certification: Phlebotomy certification is not legally required in most states, but is expected by most employers and often required for hospital positions. Major certifying organizations include the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP), the National Healthcareer Association (NHA), and the American Medical Technologists (AMT). Certified phlebotomists may access more competitive positions and starting wages than uncertified candidates.
• Shift differentials: Hospitals and 24-hour laboratory facilities typically pay differentials for evening, overnight, and weekend shifts — often $1–$4 per hour above the base rate. For phlebotomists working overnight or weekend schedules, shift differentials can add several thousand dollars annually to total compensation.
• Overtime eligibility: Phlebotomists are typically non-exempt hourly employees eligible for overtime pay at 1.5x the base rate for hours worked beyond 40 per week. Facilities with staffing constraints may offer meaningful overtime opportunities.
• Career advancement: Phlebotomy is frequently a first step into clinical healthcare careers. Many phlebotomists pursue further education in medical laboratory science (MLS), medical assisting, nursing (LPN or RN), or other allied health fields — each of which offers substantially higher median wages than phlebotomy alone.

According to the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook for phlebotomists, employment in this occupation is projected to grow 8% from 2023 to 2033 — faster than the average for all occupations.

The BLS attributes this growth to an aging population requiring more laboratory testing, expansion of outpatient and preventive care services, and continuing growth in diagnostic testing volume across healthcare settings.

Approximately 22,800 phlebotomist job openings are projected per year over the decade, reflecting both employment growth and replacement of workers who leave the occupation.

Phlebotomy's low barrier to entry — a certificate program can be completed in as little as a few months — combined with faster-than-average job growth makes it one of the more accessible entry points into clinical healthcare employment for candidates who want to enter the field quickly.

Even at entry-level wages, establishing a high-yield savings account and understanding savings benchmarks relative to income helps build financial stability while pursuing advancement credentials.

Phlebotomists considering future career transitions should familiarize themselves with salary negotiation strategies for when they move into higher-paying clinical roles.

Even on a modest phlebotomist income, setting up a high-yield savings account and consistently meeting monthly savings goals can meaningfully build financial stability while pursuing further education toward higher-paying roles.

Understanding savings benchmarks relative to income is a useful reference at this career stage.