How Much Does a Phlebotomist Make in Louisiana in 2026?

A typical Phlebotomist in Louisiana earns about $17.36 per hour ($36,120 per year), according to the latest government wage data (May 2025). Broken down, that comes to roughly $3,010 a month or $695 a week, calculated from the annual figure. Pay varies by city and experience, but this is the starting point for understanding what the job pays across the state.

Louisiana's typical pay sits 20% below the national figure of $21.75 an hour ($45,230 a year), according to the same May 2025 data. That gap puts the state 51st out of 51 states and jurisdictions ranked by Phlebotomist pay. Lower pay in Louisiana usually tracks a lower cost of living compared with higher-paying states. About 3,410 Phlebotomists work in the state, a small workforce relative to the 143,540 employed nationwide.

Entry-level positions in Louisiana typically offer around $14.31 an hour ($29,770 a year), according to May 2025 wage data. That's the starting point for those new to the field. Pay typically moves toward the $17.36-an-hour typical figure within a few years of steady experience.

Experienced Phlebotomists in Louisiana often earn upwards of $21.22 an hour ($44,130 a year), and the top 10% of earners make over $22.65 an hour ($47,120 a year). That's a spread of $17,350 between entry-level and top pay. Setting, years of experience, and city all factor into where someone falls within that range.

Louisiana's typical Phlebotomist pay rose from $27,900 in 2015 to $36,120 in 2025, according to a decade of government wage data. That's a gain of $8,220, or 29%, over ten years. The increase has been fairly steady year over year, with a sharper rise between 2022 and 2024.

Nationally, Phlebotomist pay rose 43% over the same decade, faster than Louisiana's climb. Pay in the state has moved up over the past ten years, though not as quickly as the national trend. Someone starting out now enters a field where pay has trended upward, though there are no guarantees about future increases.

Pay runs highest in Shreveport and Bossier City, where Phlebotomists typically earn $40,300 a year ($19.37 an hour), about 12% above the state figure. Slidell, Covington, and Mandeville follow closely, with typical pay of $39,960 a year. These figures reflect each city's full metro area, not just the city center.

Lafayette pays the least among Louisiana's metro areas, with typical pay of $34,460 a year, a spread of $5,840 between the highest- and lowest-paying cities. Metairie has the largest Phlebotomist workforce in the state, with 730 employed there, though its typical pay of $37,710 a year sits below Shreveport's. Higher pay in cities like Shreveport often comes with a higher cost of living.

Among Louisiana's neighbors, Texas pays Phlebotomists the most, with typical pay of $40,450 a year, about 12% higher than Louisiana. Arkansas pays $37,450, about 4% higher, while Mississippi's typical pay of $36,290 is nearly identical to Louisiana's. Phlebotomy certification and training generally transfer across state lines, so a credential earned in Louisiana can often be recognized or endorsed in a neighboring state without starting over.

Phlebotomists in Louisiana typically earn $36,120 a year, pay that has climbed 29% over the past decade. Readers considering this path should check the state licensing or registry page for current requirements, and compare local figures on the city pages for Shreveport, Baton Rouge, New Orleans, and other Louisiana metro areas before deciding where to work.