Phlebotomist Pay

Atlantic City vs Lakewood: Phlebotomist Salary (2026)

Compare phlebotomist salaries between Atlantic City, NJ and Lakewood, NJ. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Atlantic City, NJ
$50,176
$24.13/hr
Lakewood, NJ
$54,019
$25.97/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAtlantic City, NJLakewood, NJ
Median Salary$50,176$54,019
Hourly Rate$24.13$25.97
Entry Level (P10)$39,570$42,711
25th Percentile$45,140$45,380
75th Percentile$52,799$60,175
Top Earner (P90)$53,102$73,145
Total Employed20031
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Atlantic City ($50,176) and Lakewood ($54,019) phlebotomist salaries.Atlantic CityLakewoodMedian Salary$50,176$54,019Entry Level (P10)$39,570$42,711Top Earner (P90)$53,102$73,145US Median $47,261

Verdict

Lakewood, NJ offers better overall compensation for phlebotomists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Atlantic City.

The salary gap between Atlantic City and Lakewood is $3,843 (7.66%). Lakewood's median is +14.30% compared to the US national median of $47,261.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Atlantic City spans $13,532,Lakewood spans $30,434. Lakewood has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced phlebotomists.

Atlantic City
P10 (Entry)$39,570
P25$45,140
Median$50,176
P75$52,799
P90 (Top)$53,102
Lakewood
P10 (Entry)$42,711
P25$45,380
Median$54,019
P75$60,175
P90 (Top)$73,145

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Atlantic City ($50,756 effective) pays 8.24% more than Lakewood ($46,891 effective).

Atlantic City
Nominal: $50,176
CoL Index: 98.857
Adjusted: $50,756
Lakewood
Nominal: $54,019
CoL Index: 115.2
Adjusted: $46,891

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Atlantic City if…

  • Larger job market (200 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $50,756)
  • You prefer the New Jersey area and lifestyle

Choose Lakewood if…

  • Higher median salary ($54,019/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($73,145)
  • You prefer the New Jersey area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, phlebotomist salaries in Atlantic City grew 32.8% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 2.8% growth in Lakewood over the same period.

Atlantic City, NJ

+32.8%

$36,160 (2019) → $48,020 (2025)

Lakewood, NJ

+2.8%

$50,292 (2024) → $51,698 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays phlebotomists more: Atlantic City or Lakewood?

Lakewood has a higher median phlebotomist salary at $54,019/year, compared to Atlantic City at $50,176/year — a difference of $3,843 (7.66%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Atlantic City and Lakewood?

Atlantic City phlebotomists earn $24.13/hr while Lakewood hygienists earn $25.97/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Atlantic City to Lakewood as a phlebotomist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Atlantic City and Lakewood. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Atlantic City = $50,756, Lakewood = $46,891), job availability (200 vs 31 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level phlebotomists earn in Atlantic City vs Lakewood?

Entry-level (10th percentile) phlebotomists earn $39,570 in Atlantic City and $42,711 in Lakewood. The Lakewood area offers higher starting salaries.
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