Phlebotomist Salary in Chattanooga, TN: $39,027 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time phlebotomist in Chattanooga, TN earns a median $39,027/year (≈ $18.77/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9097). Once you factor in Chattanooga's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 91.5), that paycheck buys what $42,669 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.4% below the Tennessee state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Phlebotomists in Chattanooga, Tennessee, can expect a median annual salary of $39,027 in 2026, which reflects a notable variance from the national median of $47,261. The salaries for this role in the area range from $36,195 at the 10th percentile to $49,277 at the 90th percentile, indicating a competitive yet tiered market. These figures are derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) surveys and reveal specific dynamics in the local job market, driven largely by factors such as employer type and patient care settings. While Chattanooga lacks the California Certified Phlebotomy Technician licensure premium, the market has its own characteristics, providing opportunities that can align with the diverse skills of those certified by organizations like ASCP or NHA.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $36,195 | $17.41 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $37,815 | $18.18 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $39,027 | $18.77 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $46,101 | $22.16 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $49,277 | $23.69 |
Median Salary Position
17.42% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Chattanooga
In Chattanooga, TN, the phlebotomist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $13,082 (2026 est.). At $39,027, the local median is 17.42% below the national median of $47,261.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Chattanooga: You'd be in the entry-level range
How Chattanooga Phlebotomist Pay Compares
Chattanooga median: $39,027/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Chattanooga Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee Average | $39,581 | -1.40% less |
| National Average | $47,261 | -17.42% less |
Phlebotomists in Chattanooga, TN earn a median of $39,027 per year (2026 est.), which is 17.42% lower than the national median of $47,261 and 1.40% below the Tennessee state average of $39,581.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Chattanooga has a cost of living 8.54% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Chattanooga, TN has a cost-of-living index of 91.464 (below the national average of 100). A phlebotomist earning $39,027 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $42,669 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.33% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$30,410
2025 BLS Actual
$37,350
2026 Current Est.
$39,027
2019–2027 Growth
+34.1%
Salary Trajectory for Phlebotomists in Chattanooga (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.49% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $30,410 | Actual |
| 2020 | $31,400 | Actual |
| 2021 | $36,060 | Actual |
| 2022 | $34,030 | Actual |
| 2023 | $34,140 | Actual |
| 2024 | $35,930 | Actual |
| 2025 | $37,350 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $39,027 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $40,779 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Chattanooga metropolitan area, the median phlebotomist salary grew 22.8% from $30,410 (2019) to $37,350 (2025). At a 4.49% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $40,779 by 2027 — a total increase of $10,369 (34.10%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Chattanooga metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 4.49% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $36,195 – $37,815 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $37,815 – $39,027 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $39,027 – $46,101 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $46,101 – $49,277 |
PBT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual phlebotomist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Phlebotomist Job Market in Chattanooga
In Chattanooga, the job market employs around 270 phlebotomists, demonstrating viable local demand for this role. The cost of living index sits at 91.464, which suggests that overall living expenses are below the national average, potentially increasing the purchasing power of those in the field. Hospitals typically offer lower entry pay compared to plasma donation centers, which are known for more competitive starting wages, often reaching $20-$25 per hour. This disparity highlights the financial advantage of working in specialized settings. Variations in pay can also arise from shift differentials for early morning calls or specializations such as pediatric draws. For phlebotomists in Chattanooga, maximizing salary potential may involve seeking positions in high-demand environments like plasma centers or leveraging any relevant certifications to elevate their earning capability.
More salary data for Chattanooga, TN:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do phlebotomists make in Chattanooga, TN in 2026?
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Can phlebotomists make $100K in Chattanooga?
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Written by Aisha Patel, MLT
Career Analyst
Aisha has over 10 years of experience in clinical laboratory technology. She specializes in blood collection and processing. She works in a large urban hospital.
Methodology & Data Source
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $37,350 for phlebotomistsin the Chattanooga metropolitan area. A 4.49% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.49%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for phlebotomists (SOC 31-9097).
Compiled and verified by Aisha Patel, MLT, a licensed phlebotomist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov