A phlebotomy technician takes blood samples.
Phlebotomy technicians, also referred to as a phlebotomists, have an important role in the health care field. Their main responsibility is to draw blood from patients for testing, to help in the detection and diagnosis of disease. Factors that affect the salary for this occupation are experience, employer type and location. If certified, a phlebotomist generally earns more and has more opportunities for advancement.
Yearly Salary
According to surveys conducted by PayScale, the median yearly salary for a certified phlebotomy technician is $26,790. The salary range, taking into consideration bonuses and overtime, is between $22,414 and $33,727 per year. These figures reflect data as of July 2010.
Hourly Rate
The same PayScale surveys indicate that in the United States, the average hourly rate for a phlebotomy technician is $10.46 to $15.14. With overtime, this rate increases to $13.28 to $21.65 per hour.
Salary by Experience
As with many careers and job positions, the amount of experience affects the amount of pay. For example, a phlebotomy technician with less than one year of experience earns $18,842 to $31,447 yearly. With one to four years of experience, a technician's yearly salary is $23,285 to $35,184, and with five to nine years of experience, it is $29,890 to $35,345. A salary of between $23,285 and $39,494 is typical with ten to nineteen years of experience. These figures reflect the survey data from PayScale for June 2010.
Salary by Employer Type
The PayScale surveys also show the difference in salary depending on the employer. For example, a phlebotomy technician who works for a hospital typically earns $20,482 to $33,515 per year, whereas those who work for a company earn $29,487 to $39,138 yearly. Some employers, such as hospitals, pay higher rates for technicians who are willing to work different shifts, nights and weekends. Off-hour rates are generally not available for technicians who work for a physician as their offices are usually closed during these hours.
Salary by Location
Where the job is located also impacts salary. The top two paying states are New York and California, according to the PayScale surveys. New York pays a median hourly rate of $11.36 to $18.35, and in California the rate is $12.74 to $17.40. Georgia is one of the lowest paying states with a median rate of $9.81 to $12.58 per hour.
Tags: phlebotomy technician, PayScale surveys, years experience, example phlebotomy, example phlebotomy technician, figures reflect