Phlebotomist Salary Guide
Phlebotomy represents a fast growing job sector in the healthcare field. A phlebotomist’s primary responsibility is the safe and proficient drawing of blood for medical testing. Phlebotomists require specialized training including the completion of a training course and certification exam. The need for skilled phlebotomists is increasing as the medical industry grows to meet the needs of an aging population. Hospitals, clinics, government agencies, and testing laboratories need trained phlebotomists. Due to these demands, it is expected that employment opportunities for phlebotomists will continue to grow significantly for several years. What a phlebotomist can expect to earn varies by location and experience, but a phlebotomist salary is very competitive.
Phlebotomist Salary: Location
Location, employer, and experience level are all factors that affect a phlebotomist salary. Entry level phlebotomists, who just recently received their certification, often need more on the job training. Usually, they are hired on a probationary status and receive additional training during this time. More experienced and educated phlebotomists earn more than their entry-level counterparts. Phlebotomists are hired on both a full-time and part-time basis. Full-time phlebotomists earn more per hour than part-time phlebotomists, and they can expect to work 40+ hour work weeks. Phlebotomists working for hospitals are often kept on call too.
Phlebotomists, within their first year of work, can expect to earn $9.00 to $14.00 an hour depending upon the type and size of their employer. This equates to an annual salary of between $18720 and $29120. Usually, after a year of experience, a phlebotomist salary increases to between $21000 and $28000 per year. As a phlebotomists gains more experience they should expect salary increases commiserate with that experience, and, after five years, should earn from $22000 to $30000 a year. Phlebotomists with ten or more years of experience earn anywhere from $25000 to $38000 annually. Some very high paid phlebotomists earn upwards of $60000 per year.
Employment opportunities are available for phlebotomists at every hospital, clinic, private practice, laboratory, blood banks, and many government agencies. The location, size, and type of employer plays a significant factor in determining a phlebotomist salary. Typically, large hospitals and government agencies offer higher salaries than smaller clinics and laboratories, and many large cities have higher paying opportunities than smaller communities. Phlebotomists working for for-profit organizations typically have higher earnings than those working for non-profits. The salary range for a phlebotomist working for a private practice varies a lot, but typically a private practice in a larger city pays more than one in a smaller town.
Many employers in the healthcare industry offer excellent employee benefit packages. In addition to their normal salary, a phlebotomist may get paid vacation days, paid sick days, and health insurance. Larger organizations, such as a hospital, often offer retirement plans as well. Government employed phlebotomists have high job security and receive government benefits. Employers frequently pay for continued education and training representing a great opportunity for a phlebotomist to increase their skill set and stay certified for free. A phlebotomist should not ignore these benefits when considering job offers.
