Phlebotomist Pay

Barberton vs Cleveland: Phlebotomist Salary (2026)

Compare phlebotomist salaries between Barberton, OH and Cleveland, OH. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Barberton, OH
$39,451
$18.96/hr
Cleveland, OH
$41,535
$19.97/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBarberton, OHCleveland, OH
Median Salary$39,451$41,535
Hourly Rate$18.96$19.97
Entry Level (P10)$32,572$39,999
25th Percentile$33,816$40,459
75th Percentile$41,841$49,215
Top Earner (P90)$49,135$50,824
Total Employed6980
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Barberton ($39,451) and Cleveland ($41,535) phlebotomist salaries.BarbertonClevelandMedian Salary$39,451$41,535Entry Level (P10)$32,572$39,999Top Earner (P90)$49,135$50,824US Median $47,261

Verdict

Cleveland, OH offers better overall compensation for phlebotomists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Barberton.

The salary gap between Barberton and Cleveland is $2,084 (5.28%). Cleveland's median is -12.12% compared to the US national median of $47,261.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Barberton spans $16,563,Cleveland spans $10,825. Barberton has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Barberton
P10 (Entry)$32,572
P25$33,816
Median$39,451
P75$41,841
P90 (Top)$49,135
Cleveland
P10 (Entry)$39,999
P25$40,459
Median$41,535
P75$49,215
P90 (Top)$50,824

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Cleveland ($44,222 effective) pays 1.67% more than Barberton ($43,496 effective).

Barberton
Nominal: $39,451
CoL Index: 90.7
Adjusted: $43,496
Cleveland
Nominal: $41,535
CoL Index: 93.923
Adjusted: $44,222

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Barberton if…

  • You prefer the Ohio area and lifestyle

Choose Cleveland if…

  • Higher median salary ($41,535/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($50,824)
  • Larger job market (980 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $44,222)
  • You prefer the Ohio area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, phlebotomist salaries in Barberton grew 15.4% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 6.8% growth in Cleveland over the same period.

Barberton, OH

+15.4%

$32,725 (2024) → $37,756 (2025)

Cleveland, OH

+6.8%

$37,230 (2019) → $39,750 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays phlebotomists more: Barberton or Cleveland?

Cleveland has a higher median phlebotomist salary at $41,535/year, compared to Barberton at $39,451/year — a difference of $2,084 (5.28%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Barberton and Cleveland?

Barberton phlebotomists earn $18.96/hr while Cleveland hygienists earn $19.97/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Barberton to Cleveland as a phlebotomist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Barberton and Cleveland. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Barberton = $43,496, Cleveland = $44,222), job availability (6 vs 980 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level phlebotomists earn in Barberton vs Cleveland?

Entry-level (10th percentile) phlebotomists earn $32,572 in Barberton and $39,999 in Cleveland. The Cleveland 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