Phlebotomy Salaries: How Much You Make Depends…

Even amidst a deepening recession, the federal government’s Bureau of Labor Statistics remains steadfastly optimistic about the health care industry, particularly for workers in clinical laboratory technician roles such as phlebotomy. That, obviously, is good news for aspiring phlebotomists training for those jobs and phlebotomy salaries.

According to the Bureau’s current Occupational Outlook Handbook,  “Employment of clinical laboratory workers is expected to grow by 14 percent between 2008 and 2018, faster than the average of all occupations.”

Two reasons for that, says the Bureau, are population growth and the development of new types of tests.  Another reason is that phlebotomists are needed in a variety of settings — from hospitals and blood banks to test laboratories and pharmaceutical companies. Even a growing number of police departments are requiring their officers to undergo phlebotomist training in order to administer blood alcohol tests.

So how much can you expect to make? That depends. Just like real estate, location is everything … well, almost. It’s not only what state you work in, but it’s also the amount of training you’ve had and what kind of setting you’ll be plying your trade.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports the median annual wages of medical and     clinical laboratory technicians were $35,380 in May 2008. The middle 50 percent earned between $28,420 and $44,310. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $23,480, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $53,520.

Another source, using info collected from human resource departments throughout the U.S., placed the median salary for phlebotomists much lower at $29,286. The average salary of a first-year phlebotomist ranges from $9.75 to $12.50 an hour. After one year of experience, the average salary range increases, from $10.10 to $13.40 an hour. Phlebotomists with five years experience earn anywhere from $11.40 to $14.75 an hour. Phlebotomists with 10 or more years of experience can expect up to $16.10 an hour.

States on the East Coast, such as New York, Maryland, Rhode Island and Connecticut, have the highest-paid phlebotomists.  West Coast states, particularly California, also pay higher salaries.

Location also affects the hourly wage of a phlebotomist. Some of the highest-paid techs are in Boston, averaging $13.50 to $17.30 an hour. Chicago and Phoenix report similar averages, $12.50 to $15.40 an hour and $11.55 to $14.55 an hour, respectively. Phlebotomists in San Antonio average $10 to $13.20 an hour.

Phlebotomists can expect the type of employer to affect their salary. Phlebotomists working for private physicians average between $10.50 and $14.30 an hour. The increase by working in a hospital is slight, up to $14.60 on average.  Of course, the bigger the hospital, usually the bigger the paycheck.

Phlebotomists working for non-profit organizations report wide ranges, from $11.55 to $15.55 an hour. The highest wages reported came from those working for state and government agencies, with an average range of $11.20 to $16 an hour.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports the median annual wage of clinical lab technicians in hospitals was $36,840. Similar jobs at colleges, universities and professional schools paid $32,290 per year, physician offices paid $33,980, medical and diagnostic labs paid $32,630 and “other ambulatory health care services” paid $31,320.

The American Society for Clinical Pathology, meanwhile, was more specific and listed the median hourly wage for a phlebotomist in 2007 like this: $12.50, hospital; $12.50, private clinic; and $13 at a physician office or commercial lab.

Another factor determining your wage will be how an employer defines your duties. A recent job posting for “Patient Service Technician Specialist” in Palm Springs, Calif., read like this: “Requires a Valid Driver’s License along with a clean driving record. Qualified candidates must be California state-certified in phlebotomy (CPT-1 or CPT-2). Minimum of two years of healthcare (preferably direct phlebotomy or lab assistant) experience including: blood collection by venipuncture and capillary technique from patients of all age groups; urine drug screen collections; paternity collections; difficult draws. Comprehensive understanding of compliance and safety; ability to effectively communicate the importance of compliance and safety to others; courteous, proactive, and responsive customer service; computer and data entry experience.”

Another job posting, this one for a part-time opening for a certified phlebotomist at Oconee Regional Medical Center in Milledgeville, Ga., read like this: “ORMC phlebotomists will collect biological specimens for analysis in the clinical laboratory and will assist in general laboratory operations as needed. The phlebotomist must be able to collect both skin and venipuncture specimens and proficiently demonstrate competency in collection of neonates, infants, adolescents, young adults, adults, and geriatric patients while verifying patient identification. You must be able to organize and prioritize workload requirements and have excellent customer service and teamwork skills. The phlebotomist will also perform order entry and transcription of orders accurately and assist with answering the telephone, filing and other clerical duties as needed for general laboratory operations.  Previous Phlebotomy experience is preferred.”

“Job opportunities are expected to be excellent because the number of job openings is expected to continue to exceed the number of job seekers,” says the Bureau’s Occupational Outlook Handbook. “Although significant, job growth will not be the only source of opportunities. As in most occupations, many additional openings will result from the need to replace workers who transfer to other occupations, retire, or stop working for some other reason. Willingness to relocate will further enhance one’s job prospects.”

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