Phlebotomist in Tennessee: Salary, License Requirements, and How to Start
Allied healthcare
Tennessee employs 3,520 phlebotomists, with a statewide median of $38,550 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Tennessee licensing picture, and where to train.
What Phlebotomists Earn in Tennessee (May 2025)
- Tennessee median pay
- $38,550 (May 2025)
- Starting range (10th percentile)
- $35,010
- Experienced (75th percentile)
- $45,630
- Top earners (90th percentile)
- $47,630
- Employed in Tennessee
- 3,520
- U.S. median (for comparison)
- $41,870 (May 2024)
Wages vary substantially by metro. Median annual pay for phlebotomists in major Tennessee markets:
- Nashville
- $44,240 (1,020 employed)
- Memphis
- $39,480 (640 employed)
- Knoxville
- $38,090 (490 employed)
- Clarksville
- $37,770 (70 employed)
- Chattanooga
- $37,350 (270 employed)
What That Pay Is Worth in Tennessee
Prices in Tennessee run about 8% below the national average (cost-of-living index 91.9 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $38,550 median stretches to roughly $41,948 in national buying-power terms.
Job Outlook in Tennessee (2024–2034)
Tennessee is projected to grow phlebotomists employment +8.3%, faster than the +5.6% projected nationally. The state expects about 370 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.
Tennessee License and Certification Requirements
None required — CPT (NHA) or PBT (ASCP) certification is employer-preferred — regulated by the No Tennessee state license required for phlebotomists.
- Tennessee does not require a state license for phlebotomists. Complete a phlebotomy certificate program (4–8 weeks at a community college, TCAT campus, or vocational school) or on-the-job training through employer sponsorship.
- Earn national phlebotomy certification: NHA CPT, ASCP PBT, or AMT RPT. Most Tennessee labs and hospital systems prefer or require certification.
- Apply to hospital labs (Vanderbilt, HCA hospitals, Ascension), reference labs (LabCorp, Quest Diagnostics), blood banks (Vitalant or Blood Assurance in Chattanooga), and outpatient clinics.
Official requirements: No Tennessee state license required for phlebotomists →
Training in Tennessee
Tennessee's large hospital network — anchored by HCA Healthcare's dozens of Tennessee hospitals and Vanderbilt's academic medical system — creates strong phlebotomy demand. The role is a common entry point to clinical laboratory science or nursing. Blood Assurance in Chattanooga and Vitalant are significant regional blood bank employers.
Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Tennessee include:
- Academy of Allied Health Careers — Certificate
- Concorde Career College-Memphis — Certificate
- Herzing University-Nashville — Certificate
- Miller-Motte College-Chattanooga — Certificate
Where Phlebotomists Work in Tennessee
Real Tennessee hospitals that employ phlebotomists include:
- Methodist Hospitals of Memphis — Memphis
- Vanderbilt University Medical Center — Nashville
- Baptist Memorial Hospital — Memphis
- Veterans Affairs Medical Center — Memphis
- Erlanger Health System — Chattanooga
- Jackson-Madison County General Hospital — Jackson
Is This the Right Move for You?
Best for: People who want the fastest possible healthcare entry and are comfortable with needles, blood, and brief but frequent patient contact.
Think twice if: Repetitive patient draws all day, modest wages, and limited advancement without additional credentials sound like a dead end.
Why it's resilient: Blood collection requires in-person patient access, manual technique, and clinical safety protocols that cannot be automated.
First Steps
Enroll in a phlebotomy certificate program (typically 4–8 months) and check which certifications your state or target employer requires.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do phlebotomists make in Tennessee?
The median wage for phlebotomists in Tennessee is $38,550 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $35,010, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $47,630. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.
What license or certification do you need to become a Phlebotomist in Tennessee?
None required — CPT (NHA) or PBT (ASCP) certification is employer-preferred, overseen by the No Tennessee state license required for phlebotomists. Tennessee does not require a state license for phlebotomists. Complete a phlebotomy certificate program (4–8 weeks at a community college, TCAT campus, or vocational school) or on-the-job training through employer sponsorship.
Is being a Phlebotomist a good career in Tennessee?
Blood collection requires in-person patient access, manual technique, and clinical safety protocols that cannot be automated.
Which Tennessee metros pay phlebotomists the most?
Among Tennessee metro areas, Nashville leads at $44,240, followed by Memphis ($39,480), Knoxville ($38,090). Local pay tracks regional demand and cost of living, so the highest-paying metro isn't always the best net move.
Where can I train to become a Phlebotomist in Tennessee?
Real Tennessee options include Academy of Allied Health Careers, Concorde Career College-Memphis, Herzing University-Nashville. Most phlebotomists start with an accredited program, then earn the credential the state or employer requires.
Is Phlebotomist a growing career in Tennessee?
Tennessee projects phlebotomists employment to change +8.3% from 2024 to 2034, with about 370 openings a year — a growing field in the state.
Sources and Verification
Wage data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Tennessee statewide and metro estimates for SOC 31-9097. Licensing summary compiled from the No Tennessee state license required for phlebotomists (2026-06-11). Requirements change — always confirm current rules with the board and verify program costs and outcomes before enrolling.
BLS Occupational Outlook · O*NET Tennessee wages · Tennessee licensing/certification source
Employment projections: Projections Central / BLS Employment Projections (2024–2034); Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities; Employer lists from CMS Provider of Services, the FAA Part 145 directory, EIA Form 860, and USGS/state EMS registries (2026).
Pay percentiles describe current workers, not entry-level offers; training costs and local demand vary, so verify locally before committing money or quitting a job.