Phlebotomist Jobs in Denver, CO
Phlebotomy is one of the quickest ways into Denver healthcare: a one-semester certificate can put you drawing blood at the Anschutz Medical Campus or AdventHealth Porter, with posted pay from about $18 to $31 an hour. Here are the current openings, then who is hiring and how to get trained.
Current phlebotomist Openings in Denver, CO
Listings marked External are sponsored openings provided by the Jobs2Careers network.
Phlebotomist Work in Denver
Most Denver phlebotomy jobs sit inside hospital and outpatient labs. On the Anschutz Medical Campus in north Aurora, off Colfax and I-225, Children's Hospital Colorado runs an outpatient lab that draws pediatric patients, and UCHealth staffs a phlebotomy float pool for the Anschutz Inpatient Pavilion. In south Denver, AdventHealth Porter on South Downing Street hires phlebotomists for night and weekend coverage, and Children's Colorado also posts phlebotomy roles at its Wheat Ridge site west of the city.
Hospital phlebotomists cover early-morning draws on inpatient floors, emergency department work and outpatient walk-ins, so shift choice is wide. Pay inside Denver city limits cannot drop below the city minimum wage of $19.29 an hour in 2026, while Aurora and Wheat Ridge follow the lower Colorado minimum, which is one reason posted starting rates vary across the metro.
Top Denver Employers Hiring Phlebotomists
These Denver-area health systems have posted phlebotomist roles on their own careers sites:
- Children's Hospital Colorado - hires Phlebotomist I staff for its Outpatient Laboratory on the Anschutz campus and at Wheat Ridge, on four 10-hour weekday shifts with rotating weekends.
- AdventHealth Porter - the south Denver hospital hires PRN night and weekend phlebotomists and prefers NHA certification.
- UCHealth - posts Phlebotomist I roles for its Anschutz Inpatient Pavilion float pool and metro clinics.
Phlebotomist Salaries in Denver
- Entry level: about $18 to $21 an hour for newly trained phlebotomists.
- Experienced: roughly $22 to $25 an hour with a year or more of hospital draws.
- Senior: $26 to $31 an hour for lead, pediatric or night-shift phlebotomists.
These are estimates built from BLS May 2025 figures for the Denver-Aurora-Centennial metro, where the median phlebotomist earned about $23.11 an hour, and ranges Denver employers have posted: $18.27 to $27.40 at Children's Colorado, $19.10 to $24.83 at UCHealth and $19.38 to $31.01 at AdventHealth Porter. Night and weekend differentials, pediatric experience and national certification move pay the most.
How to Become a Phlebotomist in Denver
Colorado does not license phlebotomists, so there is no state board to apply to. Employers set the bar: UCHealth asks for completion of an accredited phlebotomy program, AdventHealth wants a phlebotomy program and prefers the NHA Certified Phlebotomy Technician credential, and Children's Colorado accepts a phlebotomy, medical assistant or EMT certificate or six months of experience. Most also require a current BLS card. Arapahoe Community College in Littleton offers a 7-credit Phlebotomy certificate with evening classes over about 15 weeks, followed by a 120-hour internship over three weeks of weekday shifts, at an estimated $1,300 in tuition.
What the Job Involves
Phlebotomists verify patient identity, draw blood by venipuncture and capillary puncture, label and process specimens, and send them to the lab on time. They calm nervous patients, follow infection-control rules, handle sharps safely and record each collection in the electronic health record. Hospital phlebotomists also cover early-morning inpatient rounds and urgent draws for the emergency department.
Skills Employers Look For
- Completion of an accredited phlebotomy program
- NHA CPT, AMT RPT or ASCP PBT certification
- Current BLS card
- Steady venipuncture technique, including pediatric and difficult draws
- Accurate labeling and specimen handling
- Calm, patient-focused communication
- Flexibility for early mornings, nights and weekends
Career Path and Advancement
Many Denver phlebotomists start PRN or on nights, then move to full-time hospital or outpatient lab roles and up to lead phlebotomist or site supervisor. Phlebotomy is also a common first step toward becoming a medical laboratory technician through Arapahoe Community College's MLT program, or toward nursing or medical assisting on the Anschutz campus and across the metro.
Related Careers in Denver
If phlebotomy interests you, these related Denver healthcare roles are close matches:
- Medical Laboratory Technician Jobs
- Medical Assistant Jobs
- Certified Nursing Assistant Jobs
- Healthcare Jobs
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you need a license to be a phlebotomist in Denver?
No. Colorado does not license phlebotomists. Employers instead ask for an accredited training program, and many prefer national certification such as NHA CPT, AMT RPT or ASCP PBT.
How much do phlebotomists make in Denver?
New phlebotomists generally start around $18 to $21 an hour, experienced phlebotomists earn about $22 to $25, and lead or night-shift roles can reach $26 to $31. Jobs inside Denver city limits must pay at least the city minimum of $19.29 an hour in 2026.
How long does phlebotomy training take in Denver?
Arapahoe Community College's Phlebotomy certificate takes about 15 weeks of evening classes, followed by a 120-hour internship completed over three weeks. Many graduates are ready to apply within a single semester.
Can I become a phlebotomist without certification in Denver?
Some employers will hire without national certification if you finished a phlebotomy program or have relevant experience. Children's Colorado, for example, accepts six months of phlebotomist, medical assistant or EMT experience in place of a certificate.
What shifts do Denver phlebotomists work?
Hospitals need phlebotomists around the clock, so nights, weekends and PRN shifts are common, especially at AdventHealth Porter. Outpatient labs such as Children's Colorado on the Anschutz campus run weekday schedules with some rotating weekend mornings.
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