Phlebotomists take blood samples doctors can use to make diagnoses.
Phlebotomy is a specialized area of laboratory technology. It involves taking and distributing blood samples from patients for testing. Phlebotomists can earn salaries of up to $50,000 at the supervisor level, but entry-level workers make much less. Most people in this field start out around $10 or $11 per hour, although the amount of training a phlebotomist has has a huge impact on what an employer will offer.
Salary Summary
The Bureau of Labor Statistics includes phlebotomists in its "Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technicians" category. In the lowest 10th percentile, which generally includes entry-level workers, pay was $24,210 a year, or $11.64 hourly, in 2010. The Payscale website asserts that as of May 2011, the hourly rate range for phlebotomists with less than one year in the field was $8.60 to $14.88. Payscale also asserts that phlebotomists with less than one year of experience made annual salaries between $19,727 and $42,000.
Pay By Sector
Phlebotomists may work in private practices, hospitals, clinics, nonprofits or government agencies. Payscale reports that as of May 2011, those in private or physician clinics started at $9.70. The data further shows that the low hourly rate in hospitals was $9.51.
Degrees, Certification and Extra Training
Some entry-level phlebotomists do so with a degree in laboratory techniques, formal certification or additional training beyond those required for phlebotomy jobs. Having these extra qualifications can increase your starting salary.
Bottom Line
On average, most starting phlebotomists earn between $8.50 and $15 an hour, and entry-level phlebotomists generally don't earn more than $42,000 a year, according the Payscale. However, in some cases, you may be able to increase your earning potential if you get additional training in phlebotomy before you look for work.
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