Phlebotomist Salary by State 2026
Phlebotomist salaries vary by more than $22,000 between the highest- and lowest-paying states. California leads at $55,190/yr while Mississippi is the lowest at $32,630/yr. National average: $41,810/yr per BLS.
| State | Annual Salary | Hourly Rate | vs National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | $55,190 | $26.53 | +32.0% |
| Massachusetts | $53,530 | $25.74 | +28.0% |
| New York | $52,280 | $25.13 | +25.0% |
| Connecticut | $51,030 | $24.53 | +22.1% |
| Washington | $51,030 | $24.53 | +22.1% |
| Hawaii | $50,150 | $24.11 | +19.9% |
| New Jersey | $50,150 | $24.11 | +19.9% |
| Alaska | $49,360 | $23.73 | +18.1% |
| Maryland | $48,080 | $23.12 | +15.0% |
| Oregon | $46,840 | $22.52 | +12.0% |
| Rhode Island | $46,840 | $22.52 | +12.0% |
| New Hampshire | $46,010 | $22.12 | +10.0% |
| Colorado | $45,150 | $21.71 | +8.0% |
| Minnesota | $44,740 | $21.51 | +7.0% |
| Delaware | $43,920 | $21.12 | +5.0% |
| Illinois | $43,900 | $21.11 | +5.0% |
| Virginia | $43,900 | $21.11 | +5.0% |
| Nevada | $42,660 | $20.51 | +2.0% |
| Vermont | $42,660 | $20.51 | +2.0% |
| Pennsylvania | $41,810 | $20.10 | +0.0% |
| Arizona | $40,970 | $19.70 | -2.0% |
| Maine | $40,570 | $19.51 | -3.0% |
| Texas | $40,140 | $19.30 | -4.0% |
| Utah | $40,140 | $19.30 | -4.0% |
| Wyoming | $40,140 | $19.30 | -4.0% |
| Florida | $39,720 | $19.09 | -5.0% |
| North Dakota | $39,720 | $19.09 | -5.0% |
| Wisconsin | $39,720 | $19.09 | -5.0% |
| Michigan | $39,320 | $18.90 | -6.0% |
| Georgia | $38,900 | $18.70 | -7.0% |
| Montana | $38,480 | $18.50 | -8.0% |
| North Carolina | $38,480 | $18.50 | -8.0% |
| Idaho | $37,640 | $18.09 | -10.0% |
| New Mexico | $37,640 | $18.09 | -10.0% |
| Ohio | $37,640 | $18.09 | -10.0% |
| Nebraska | $37,220 | $17.90 | -11.0% |
| Indiana | $36,800 | $17.69 | -12.0% |
| Missouri | $36,800 | $17.69 | -12.0% |
| Iowa | $36,380 | $17.49 | -13.0% |
| Kansas | $36,380 | $17.49 | -13.0% |
| South Carolina | $36,380 | $17.49 | -13.0% |
| Tennessee | $36,380 | $17.49 | -13.0% |
| Louisiana | $35,550 | $17.09 | -15.0% |
| South Dakota | $35,550 | $17.09 | -15.0% |
| Kentucky | $35,130 | $16.89 | -16.0% |
| Oklahoma | $34,700 | $16.68 | -17.0% |
| Alabama | $34,280 | $16.48 | -18.0% |
| Arkansas | $33,450 | $16.08 | -20.0% |
| West Virginia | $33,450 | $16.08 | -20.0% |
| Mississippi | $32,630 | $15.69 | -22.0% |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS). Figures are estimates; actual wages vary by employer and metro area. Updated 27 March 2026.
Why Do Phlebotomist Salaries Differ by State?
Cost of living and minimum wage
States with higher minimum wages and living costs, such as California, Washington, and New York, push healthcare wages higher across the board. Employers must offer competitive pay to attract workers who face steeper rents and everyday expenses.
Healthcare infrastructure density
States with large hospital networks and reference labs create more demand for phlebotomists and raise wages through competition. Rural states with fewer healthcare employers often pay less due to limited competition and lower patient volumes.
Union and collective bargaining
Hospital unions in California, New York, and Massachusetts negotiate above-market wage floors for clinical support staff including phlebotomists. In right-to-work states common in the South and Midwest, union coverage is lower and wages tend to be softer.
Metro area premiums
State averages mask large city-vs-rural divides. A San Francisco phlebotomist may earn $28 to $32 per hour, while a rural California counterpart earns $22 to $24. Looking at metro-level BLS data gives a more accurate picture for specific job searches.