Phlebotomist Pay

Alexandria vs Virginia Beach: Phlebotomist Salary (2026)

Compare phlebotomist salaries between Alexandria, VA and Virginia Beach, VA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Alexandria, VA
$50,799
$24.42/hr
Virginia Beach, VA
$46,373
$22.30/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAlexandria, VAVirginia Beach, VA
Median Salary$50,799$46,373
Hourly Rate$24.42$22.30
Entry Level (P10)$40,847$39,832
25th Percentile$43,230$40,291
75th Percentile$56,070$47,919
Top Earner (P90)$67,715$50,908
Total Employed26800
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Alexandria ($50,799) and Virginia Beach ($46,373) phlebotomist salaries.AlexandriaVirginia BeachMedian Salary$50,799$46,373Entry Level (P10)$40,847$39,832Top Earner (P90)$67,715$50,908US Median $47,261

Verdict

Alexandria, VA offers better overall compensation for phlebotomists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Virginia Beach.

The salary gap between Alexandria and Virginia Beach is $4,426 (9.54%). Alexandria's median is +7.49% compared to the US national median of $47,261.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Alexandria spans $26,868,Virginia Beach spans $11,076. Alexandria has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Alexandria
P10 (Entry)$40,847
P25$43,230
Median$50,799
P75$56,070
P90 (Top)$67,715
Virginia Beach
P10 (Entry)$39,832
P25$40,291
Median$46,373
P75$47,919
P90 (Top)$50,908

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Alexandria ($49,224 effective) pays 3.96% more than Virginia Beach ($47,348 effective).

Alexandria
Nominal: $50,799
CoL Index: 103.2
Adjusted: $49,224
Virginia Beach
Nominal: $46,373
CoL Index: 97.941
Adjusted: $47,348

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Alexandria if…

  • Higher median salary ($50,799/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($67,715)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $49,224)
  • You prefer the Virginia area and lifestyle

Choose Virginia Beach if…

  • Larger job market (800 employed)
  • You prefer the Virginia area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, phlebotomist salaries in Alexandria grew 17.6% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 24.3% growth in Virginia Beach over the same period.

Alexandria, VA

+17.6%

$41,341 (2024) → $48,616 (2025)

Virginia Beach, VA

+24.3%

$35,690 (2019) → $44,380 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays phlebotomists more: Alexandria or Virginia Beach?

Alexandria has a higher median phlebotomist salary at $50,799/year, compared to Virginia Beach at $46,373/year — a difference of $4,426 (9.54%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Alexandria and Virginia Beach?

Alexandria phlebotomists earn $24.42/hr while Virginia Beach hygienists earn $22.30/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Alexandria to Virginia Beach as a phlebotomist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Alexandria and Virginia Beach. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Alexandria = $49,224, Virginia Beach = $47,348), job availability (26 vs 800 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level phlebotomists earn in Alexandria vs Virginia Beach?

Entry-level (10th percentile) phlebotomists earn $40,847 in Alexandria and $39,832 in Virginia Beach. The Alexandria area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

AP

Written by Aisha Patel, MLT

Career Analyst

Aisha has over 10 years of experience in clinical laboratory technology. She specializes in blood collection and processing. She works in a large urban hospital.

Clinically reviewed by Jamal Thompson, PBT(ASCP)Data verified by Maria Garcia, CPT

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 4.49% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Aisha Patel, MLT, a licensed phlebotomist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov