Phlebotomist Salary in 2026
How Much Do Phlebotomists Make?
Phlebotomists earn a median annual salary of $43,660 as of 2026, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data. Wages span from $34,860 at the 10th percentile to $57,750 at the 90th percentile — a range of $22,890. The highest-paying state is California at $55,460.
| Percentile | Annual salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $34,860 |
| 25th percentile | $37,540 |
| Median (50th) | $43,660 |
| 75th percentile | $48,170 |
| 90th percentile | $57,750 |
Phlebotomist Salary by State
Median annual salary across all 50 states. Click a column to sort.
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Californiatop | $55,460 |
| New York | $49,080 |
| Massachusetts | $48,270 |
| Washington | $47,700 |
| Rhode Island | $47,650 |
| Oregon | $47,510 |
| District of Columbia | $47,110 |
| Maryland | $47,100 |
| Colorado | $47,020 |
| New Jersey | $46,840 |
| North Dakota | $46,720 |
| New Hampshire | $46,460 |
| Delaware | $46,340 |
| Connecticut | $46,260 |
| Alaska | $46,110 |
| Montana | $46,040 |
| Virginia | $45,720 |
| Illinois | $45,620 |
| Hawaii | $45,510 |
| Wisconsin | $45,230 |
| Minnesota | $44,880 |
| Georgia | $43,340 |
| Arizona | $42,830 |
| Maine | $40,940 |
| Pennsylvania | $40,140 |
| Nevada | $40,050 |
| Missouri | $39,770 |
| Texas | $39,770 |
| Michigan | $39,760 |
| Idaho | $39,720 |
| Vermont | $39,530 |
| North Carolina | $39,410 |
| Ohio | $38,830 |
| West Virginia | $38,830 |
| Utah | $38,730 |
| Florida | $38,570 |
| South Carolina | $38,490 |
| New Mexico | $38,480 |
| Tennessee | $38,440 |
| Kansas | $38,330 |
| Indiana | $38,200 |
| Iowa | $38,040 |
| Kentucky | $38,000 |
| Oklahoma | $37,920 |
| South Dakota | $37,860 |
| Wyoming | $37,390 |
| Arkansas | $36,870 |
| Nebraska | $36,750 |
| Alabama | $35,970 |
| Louisiana | $35,650 |
| Mississippi | $34,900 |
Highest-Paying Metros for Phlebotomists
Phlebotomist Salary by Experience
Estimated salary ranges derived from BLS wage percentiles. Entry level corresponds to P10–P25, mid-career to the median, experienced to P75, and senior to P90+.
| Experience level | Estimated salary |
|---|---|
| Entry level (0–2 yrs) | ~$34,860 – $37,540 |
| Mid career (3–7 yrs) | ~$43,660 |
| Experienced (8–15 yrs) | ~$48,170 |
| Senior (15+ yrs) | $57,750+ |
How to Earn More as a Phlebotomist
Location is the single biggest salary lever: Phlebotomists in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA earn $61,350 — $17,690 above the national median. Earning an additional certification or completing a bachelor's degree can push your salary from the median toward the 75th percentile. Reaching the 75th percentile ($48,170) typically requires 5–10 years of experience plus specialization in a high-demand area.
Want to see if a different career pays more for your skills? PathScorer maps your experience against hundreds of occupations and shows you where you're most competitive. Try it free →
Phlebotomist Salary vs Similar Careers
| Career | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Phlebotomistthis career | $43,660 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $223,210 |
| Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologist | N/A |
| Cytotechnologist | N/A |
| Histotechnologist | N/A |
Find out where you stand — free in 2 minutes
PathScorer compares your skills to Phlebotomist requirements and shows you what you already qualify for — plus which similar careers pay more for your background.
See how your skills compare — freeFrequently Asked Questions
SOC: 31-9097.00 · Data: BLS OEWS 2026, O*NET 29.1 · Salary figures are national medians unless otherwise noted.