Phlebotomist Pay

Athens vs Savannah: Phlebotomist Salary (2026)

Compare phlebotomist salaries between Athens, GA and Savannah, GA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Athens, GA
$40,302
$19.37/hr
Savannah, GA
$43,039
$20.69/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAthens, GASavannah, GA
Median Salary$40,302$43,039
Hourly Rate$19.37$20.69
Entry Level (P10)$34,283$37,825
25th Percentile$37,575$40,114
75th Percentile$48,076$50,061
Top Earner (P90)$50,019$57,553
Total Employed100220
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Athens ($40,302) and Savannah ($43,039) phlebotomist salaries.AthensSavannahMedian Salary$40,302$43,039Entry Level (P10)$34,283$37,825Top Earner (P90)$50,019$57,553US Median $47,261

Verdict

Savannah, GA offers better overall compensation for phlebotomists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Athens.

The salary gap between Athens and Savannah is $2,737 (6.79%). Savannah's median is -8.93% compared to the US national median of $47,261.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Athens spans $15,736,Savannah spans $19,728. Savannah has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced phlebotomists.

Athens
P10 (Entry)$34,283
P25$37,575
Median$40,302
P75$48,076
P90 (Top)$50,019
Savannah
P10 (Entry)$37,825
P25$40,114
Median$43,039
P75$50,061
P90 (Top)$57,553

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Savannah ($45,206 effective) pays 4.70% more than Athens ($43,176 effective).

Athens
Nominal: $40,302
CoL Index: 93.343
Adjusted: $43,176
Savannah
Nominal: $43,039
CoL Index: 95.206
Adjusted: $45,206

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Athens if…

  • You prefer the Georgia area and lifestyle

Choose Savannah if…

  • Higher median salary ($43,039/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($57,553)
  • Larger job market (220 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $45,206)
  • You prefer the Georgia area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, phlebotomist salaries in Athens grew 13.2% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 31.1% growth in Savannah over the same period.

Athens, GA

+13.2%

$34,070 (2019) → $38,570 (2025)

Savannah, GA

+31.1%

$31,410 (2019) → $41,190 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays phlebotomists more: Athens or Savannah?

Savannah has a higher median phlebotomist salary at $43,039/year, compared to Athens at $40,302/year — a difference of $2,737 (6.79%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Athens and Savannah?

Athens phlebotomists earn $19.37/hr while Savannah hygienists earn $20.69/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Athens to Savannah as a phlebotomist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Athens and Savannah. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Athens = $43,176, Savannah = $45,206), job availability (100 vs 220 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level phlebotomists earn in Athens vs Savannah?

Entry-level (10th percentile) phlebotomists earn $34,283 in Athens and $37,825 in Savannah. The Savannah 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