Certified Phlebotomist Average Salary & Hourly Rate in 2025
A certified phlebotomist draws blood from patients for various purposes such as medical laboratory tests, research, or donations. They typically work in hospitals, medical and diagnostic laboratories, outpatient clinics, and all other ambulatory health services. For 2025, the average annual salary for certified phlebotomists in the United States is $40,600.
Certified phlebotomist salaries may vary depending on key factors such as education level, experience, geographic location, skills, and demand. In the following sections, this guide will provide an overview of the certified phlebotomist pay and a detailed outline of their job responsibilities, job outlook, and career trends for the coming years.
An Overview of Certified Phlebotomist Salaries
The average salary for certified phlebotomists in the United States in 2025 is $40,600 per year. Salaries for certified phlebotomists typically range between $32,767 to $49,197, with most earning $36,500 to $45,100, according to the latest data from Salary.com.
| Percentile | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10% Percentile | $32,767 |
| 25% Percentile | $36,500 |
| 50% Percentile (Median) | $40,600 |
| 75% Percentile | $45,100 |
| 90% Percentile | $49,197 |
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) also reports that salaries for certified phlebotomists vary depending on which industries they work in. For instance, certified phlebotomists working for outpatient care centers can earn up to $46,130, while those working on all other ambulatory healthcare services can only typically earn $37,750.
- Outpatient Care Centers: $46,130 per year
- Medical and Diagnostic Laboratories: $45,100 per year
- Hospitals: State, Local, and Private: $39,920 per year
- Offices of Physicians: $39,800 per year
- All Other Ambulatory Healthcare Services: $37,750
Certified Phlebotomist Salary: Hourly, Weekly, Monthly, and Yearly Breakdown
The average phlebotomist salary can be broken down into hourly, weekly, monthly, and yearly amounts. According to Salary.com, the average rate for certified phlebotomists in the United States is $27 per hour or $4,733 per month.
- Average salary per hour: $20
- Average salary per week: $781
- Average salary per month: $3,383
- Average salary per year: $40,600
As previously noted, certified phlebotomists in the United States will find that their salary may vary due to key factors such as geographic location, years of experience, and education. These factors will be explored in detail below.
How Experience Impacts Certified Phlebotomist Salaries
Aside from a certified phlebotomist’s educational background, certifications, and accreditations, his level of experience also plays a vital role in increasing his salary. As shown in the list below, there are notable salary differences across various experience levels of certified phlebotomists in the United States.
Based on the Salary.com data, the difference between an entry-level certified phlebotomist salary and an expert-level certified phlebotomist salary is almost $3,100. This also shows a significant gap between the salaries of an intermediate-level certified phlebotomist and a senior-level certified phlebotomist with $40,181 and $41,442, respectively.
- Entry-Level Certified Phlebotomist Salary: $39,584
- Intermediate-Level Certified Phlebotomist Salary: $40,181
- Senior-Level Certified Phlebotomist Salary: $41,442
- Specialist-Level Certified Phlebotomist Salary: $42,516
- Expert-Level Certified Phlebotomist Salary: $42,651
State-by-State Breakdown of Average Salaries for Certified Phlebotomists
It can also be noted that each US state has different average salaries for certified phlebotomists due to several factors such as cost of living, industry performance, and demand.
Based on the Salary.com data, the District of Columbia offers the highest average annual salary for certified phlebotomists in the United States at $45,100. The next ones are California and New Jersey with $44,700 and $44,400 per year, respectively.
| State | Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Alaska | $44,200 |
| Alabama | $37,300 |
| Arkansas | $36,900 |
| Arizona | $39,500 |
| California | $44,700 |
| Colorado | $41,400 |
| Connecticut | $43,500 |
| District of Columbia | $45,100 |
| Delaware | $41,200 |
| Florida | $38,500 |
| Georgia | $39,200 |
| Hawaii | $42,400 |
| Iowa | $38,800 |
| Idaho | $37,800 |
| Illinois | $41,500 |
| Indiana | $39,300 |
| Kansas | $38,600 |
| Kentucky | $38,200 |
| Louisiana | $38,600 |
| Massachusetts | $44,100 |
| Maryland | $41,800 |
| Maine | $39,500 |
| Michigan | $40,000 |
| Minnesota | $41,500 |
| Missouri | $38,600 |
| Mississippi | $36,200 |
| Montana | $37,900 |
| North Carolina | $38,900 |
| North Dakota | $40,100 |
| Nebraska | $38,200 |
| New Hampshire | $41,200 |
| New Jersey | $44,400 |
| New Mexico | $37,400 |
| Nevada | $40,700 |
| New York | $43,200 |
| Ohio | $39,700 |
| Oklahoma | $37,500 |
| Oregon | $41,200 |
| Pennsylvania | $40,500 |
| Rhode Island | $42,300 |
| South Carolina | $38,300 |
| South Dakota | $36,500 |
| Tennessee | $37,600 |
| Texas | $39,700 |
| Utah | $38,600 |
| Virginia | $40,700 |
| Vermont | $39,800 |
| Washington | $43,700 |
| Wisconsin | $40,100 |
| West Virginia | $36,500 |
| Wyoming | $38,900 |
Certified Phlebotomist Salaries: Top Earning Cities Revealed
The Salary.com data reveals that the top three paying cities for artists in the United States are San Jose, San Francisco, and Oakland, all in the state of California.
| Top Paying Cities | Average Salary |
|---|---|
| San Jose, CA | $50,900 |
| San Francisco, CA | $50,700 |
| Oakland, CA | $49,500 |
| New York, NY | $47,400 |
| Queens Village, NY | $47,000 |
| Paramus, NJ | $46,700 |
Explore Certified Phlebotomist Benefits and Perks Beyond Salary
In addition to their salary, certified phlebotomists receive a range of benefits and rewards. According to data from Salary.com, the total compensation for certified phlebotomists includes benefits such as Social Security and 401(k)/403(b) plans.
- Social Security
- 401K/403B plans
- Disability insurance
- Healthcare
- Pension plan
- Time Off (PTO)
Certified Phlebotomist Job Description: Roles and Responsibilities
A certified phlebotomist’s primary task and responsibility is to professionally draw blood from patients for the purpose of testing, donation, or research. Aside from drawing blood, a certified phlebotomist must also identify, label, and enter the information into a database.
Certified phlebotomists may also collect other samples such as urine, feces, and more for different laboratory testing procedures. Some are also tasked with shipping or transporting blood samples to different locations, such as medical facilities. The job description of a certified phlebotomist includes the following:
- Professionally draw blood from patients or donors.
- Manage patient care by assisting and helping them relax during blood extraction.
- Label the collected blood sample for testing.
- Enter blood sample information into the database.
- Organize, maintain, and dispose of medical instruments used during blood extraction.
- Keep the work area and instruments clean to avoid infections and contamination.
A certified phlebotomist may also work with other professionals in the healthcare field, such as doctors, medical assistants, and certified nursing assistants.
When and How to Ask for a Raise as a Certified Phlebotomist?
As a certified phlebotomist, your most important responsibility is to professionally draw blood samples. On the other hand, you can also boost credibility through upskilling and earning licenses or certifications for a higher phlebotomist salary. Here is a step-by-step process to follow to ask for a raise as a certified phlebotomist:
- Finish accredited educational programs: Develop a strong educational background by finishing accredited phlebotomy education programs from legitimate organizations such as the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) and National Accrediting Agency for the Clinical Laboratory Services (NAACLS).
- Maintain certifications: Strengthen your work portfolio by gathering relevant work experience, passing licensure exams, and earning certifications. Some certified phlebotomists may need to have a Basic Life Support certification, while some must acquire a driver’s license for transporting blood specimens.
- Ask for a formal meeting: Schedule a meeting with your managers and employers. This gives a more formal and serious sense to the conversation, showing that you have prepared enough to deserve a raise.
- Make a clear and confident presentation: Discuss the value you bring to the company and make sure to mention significant milestones such as your years of service, exemplary work performance, and other credible achievements. Be clear about your salary expectations and always keep a positive mindset.
Why Does a Certified Phlebotomist Make So Much?
A certified phlebotomist can receive a good salary because he plays a significant role in the medical industry by carefully and professionally extracting blood from patients for various purposes. The job of a certified phlebotomist can also be dangerous, as it is known to have one of the highest rates of injuries and illnesses in all occupations.
This requires a certified phlebotomist to gain the necessary abilities to hone his medical knowledge, blood extraction skills, and core competencies. According to BLS, these are the important qualities that a certified phlebotomist should have:
- Communication skills
- Compassion
- Dexterity
- Detail-oriented
- Interpersonal skills
- Stamina
Moreover, certain skills and certifications can increase the earning potential of a certified phlebotomist. According to the Real-Time Job Posting Salary Data Solution, certified phlebotomists with medical prescription and quality control skills can earn up to 7.27% and 6.12% more, respectively.
Other high compensation skills include:
- Medical Prescription: +7.27% salary increase
- Quality Control: +6.12% salary increase
- Laboratory Procedures: +6.09% salary increase
- Laboratory Testing: +5.89% salary increase
- Billing: +5.61% salary increase
- Healthcare Industry: +4.57% salary increase
The Future of Certified Phlebotomists: Job Outlook and Career Trends
Based on the report of the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the job title outlook for certified phlebotomists is projected to grow by 8% from 2023 to 2033. This translates to about 19,600 job openings yearly, mainly due to certified phlebotomists retiring or switching professions.
The employment growth for artists largely depends on the state of the existing labor force in the United States. As the population continues to age, the demand for medical procedures such as blood testing increases. In line with this, health risks and diseases constantly threaten the population of all ages.
