Do you wonder how much phlebotomists make? Nervous patients may not be too excited to see them, but phlebotomists are skilled technicians who draw blood from your arm for testing or donation purposes. While they may not be the highest-paid medical professionals, these allied health workers make a decent income. Find out how much they make, which states they thrive in the most, their career path and advancement, and how they fare on the happiness scale. So, if you’re considering being one to earn a stable living, this article may help you with your decision.
Average salary and career outlook for a phlebotomist
According to BLS, the mean annual wage of phlebotomists in 2021 was $38,450, or a mean hourly wage of $18.49. These figures change based on the cost of living in the city or state you are employed in. In the last five years, wages have steadily increased along with employment size, despite a minimal decrease in 2020 due to nationwide lockdowns. The numbers continue to rise, bringing optimistic projections of 22 percent employment growth in the next eight years, well above the average growth rate for all jobs, which is at 8 percent. Aside from vacated positions and retirements, this growth is possible with an expected increase in diagnostic tests for various conditions.
| Year | Annual Wage | Avg Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $38,450.00 | $18.49 |
| 2020 | $37,280.00 | $17.92 |
| 2019 | $36,480.00 | $17.54 |
| 2018 | $35,560.00 | $17.10 |
| 2017 | $34,710.00 | $16.69 |
States with highest phlebotomist salaries in 2021
| State | Annual Wage | Avg Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| California | $48,070.00 | $23.11 |
| DC | $45,390.00 | $21.82 |
| New York | $45,390.00 | $21.82 |
| Massachusetts 3,420 | $44,020.00 | $21.16 |
| Washington | $43,770.00 | $21.05 |
Phlebotomist Salary And Employment Information
California is the third largest and most populated state and has the highest employment of phlebotomists and wages. Its metropolitan areas, such as San Francisco, San Jose, Santa Cruz, and Santa Barbara, pay over 25 dollars per hour, with annual wages exceeding $52,000. However, West Virginia has the highest share of phlebotomist employment with a location quotient of 2.07, yet with a lower average hourly wage of $15.64. In any case, other factors will influence a phlebotomist’s salary, such as work experience, specialized training, associate degree, and their geographic location’s cost of living.
Meanwhile, hospitals have the highest employment of phlebotomists at 47,470, while laboratories possess the highest employment concentration at 15.50%. The latter also has a higher average annual wage of $40,570 compared to hospital phlebotomists, who receive $37,430. On the other hand, phlebotomists who are employed in grantmaking and giving services are paid the highest, with an average annual wage of $57,210 or a mean hourly wage of $27.51.
Phlebotomist Compensation Package
Aside from basic wages, a phlebotomist may receive other employment benefits as regular compensation. These include:
- Health insurance
- Dental plan
- Wellness Program
- Health savings account with employer match
- 401k
- Pension
- Disability
- Paid leaves
- Employee stock option
- Bonuses
- Continuing education
Such benefits can significantly increase the value of a phlebotomist’s annual core compensation by up to $48,810. This figure can even be higher when you render extra work hours depending on the demand in your work environment.
Phlebotomist Career Options & Estimated Salaries
A phlebotomist is usually offered an entry-level position. They are called a phlebotomy technician in hospitals and outpatient facilities. However, once you gain enough experience or acquire an associate degree or training, there are other more lucrative positions you can apply for in various work environments like community health centers, doctor’s offices, blood donation centers, and nursing homes.
Licensed practical nurse
Estimated total annual pay - $50,000
Specific training for licensed practical nurses will take 1 to 2 years, including more extensive teaching on human anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, and nutrition.
Phlebotomist supervisor
Estimated total annual pay - $57,000
As a supervisor, you have sufficient experience in phlebotomy and other medical disciplines. You will oversee phlebotomists, ensuring standards are observed. You will also plan work schedules and monitor the activities of your team.
Blood collection specialist
Estimated total annual pay - $60,000
Additional training and experience are required to qualify for this position since it entails work in cord blood education and training.
Donor phlebotomy technician
Estimated total annual pay - $61,000
While there is no specific program for this type of work, you can get additional training with a medical assisting program.
Patient service specialist
Estimated total annual pay - $64,000
Since phlebotomy serves as a good foundation for more advanced practices, you should also enroll in a program for patient care procedures and get certified to apply as a patient service specialist.
Hematology technician
Estimated total annual pay - $80,000
Hematology technicians work in a laboratory setting, perform experiments on blood samples, and write analysis reports. This line of work requires a bachelor’s degree in medical laboratory technology, which can be costly.
Medical laboratory technician
Estimated total annual pay - $89,000
If you want to double your yearly pay, you must get into an accredited MLT program that would take two years to complete.
Phlebotomist Job Satisfaction
While being a phlebotomist can help save lives in their way and serve as a good stepping stone in the medical world, their incredible work comes with little appreciation. It may have become so routine that some people underestimate what they do. But in reality, this is a good thing when their skilled performance in extracting blood is uneventful for the patient.
From a phlebotomist’s point of view, they seem to take their profession quite positively. According to a survey, they rated their happiness in their job at 3.3 out of 5. It is safe to assume that they are generally satisfied as phlebotomists at that number. This overall satisfaction rating spans their salary, profession, personality match, use of skills, and work environment.
Tips for having a fruitful career in phlebotomy
- Put more importance on how easy it is to get the job than its potential for advancement initially. Unless you are ready, going up the ladder will also mean taking up more study (and money).
- Get into it not just for the money but also because you love doing it,
- If you feel it’s time to advance your career, set clear strategies for achieving your goals.
