How Much Does a Phlebotomist Make in North Carolina in 2026?

A typical Phlebotomist in North Carolina earns about $20.83 per hour ($43,330 per year), according to the latest government wage data (May 2025). Based on that annual figure, pay works out to roughly $3,611 a month or $833 a week for full-time work. These figures represent typical pay across the state, before accounting for city, employer, or experience differences.

That pay sits 4% below the national figure of $45,230 a year, and ranks North Carolina 29th among the 50 states and Washington, D.C. Lower pay in North Carolina generally tracks a lower cost of living compared with higher-cost states. Around 5,410 phlebotomists work across the state, giving a sense of scale for an occupation found in hospitals, clinics, and labs statewide.

Entry-level positions in North Carolina typically offer around $16.93 an hour, or about $35,210 a year. Pay for newer phlebotomists often runs closer to $18.00 an hour, or $37,430 a year, as they gain some experience. Within a few years, pay for most workers moves toward the statewide typical figure of $20.83 an hour, or $43,330 a year.

Experienced Phlebotomists in North Carolina often earn upwards of $22.53 an hour, or about $46,860 a year. The top 10% of earners make over $23.77 an hour, or $49,450 a year. That's a spread of $14,240 between entry-level and top pay, a gap that usually comes down to years on the job, work setting, such as a hospital versus a smaller clinic, and city.

Phlebotomist pay in North Carolina has moved from $28,520 in 2015 to $43,330 in 2025. That's a gain of $14,810, or a 52% rise, over the decade. Pay rose most sharply in the final year of that span, jumping from $39,410 in 2024 to $43,330 in 2025.

That 52% increase outpaces the national decade rise of 43% for phlebotomists. Pay in North Carolina has moved up steadily rather than staying flat, and someone starting out today enters a market where wages have already climbed well above where they stood ten years ago. Future gains aren't guaranteed, but the trend has been upward.

Pay runs highest in the Durham area, where phlebotomists earn $47,690 a year, or $22.93 an hour, about 10% above the statewide figure. These figures reflect each city's full metro area, so Chapel Hill shares Durham's numbers. Raleigh and Cary follow closely, at $46,280 a year, or $22.25 an hour, also above the state's typical pay.

Fayetteville pays the least among the state's metro areas, at $35,750 a year, or $17.19 an hour, a $11,940 spread between the top and bottom of the list. Charlotte, though not the top payer, has the largest phlebotomist workforce in the state, with 1,260 employed at $44,980 a year, or $21.63 an hour. Higher pay in cities like Durham and Raleigh generally comes with a higher cost of living.

North Carolina pays less than two of its neighbors: Virginia, at $46,340 a year (7% higher), and Georgia, at $45,840 a year (6% higher). It pays more than South Carolina, at $39,010 a year (10% lower), and Tennessee, at $38,550 a year (11% lower). Phlebotomy licensing or certification requirements often carry over between neighboring states, so credentials earned in one state can frequently be recognized or endorsed in another nearby.

Phlebotomists in North Carolina typically earn $43,330 a year, a figure that has climbed 52% over the past decade. Pay varies by city and experience level, from entry-level positions near $35,210 to top earners above $49,450. Readers considering the field can check North Carolina's licensing and registry requirements for phlebotomy technicians, and compare local pay using the city-specific figures for places like Durham, Charlotte, and Raleigh.