Phlebotomist Pay

Boulder vs Commerce City: Phlebotomist Salary (2026)

Compare phlebotomist salaries between Boulder, CO and Commerce City, CO. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Boulder, CO
$49,727
$23.91/hr
Commerce City, CO
$47,428
$22.80/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBoulder, COCommerce City, CO
Median Salary$49,727$47,428
Hourly Rate$23.91$22.80
Entry Level (P10)$47,219$38,013
25th Percentile$47,783$40,098
75th Percentile$52,517$51,169
Top Earner (P90)$60,249$60,874
Total Employed14016
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Boulder ($49,727) and Commerce City ($47,428) phlebotomist salaries.BoulderCommerce CityMedian Salary$49,727$47,428Entry Level (P10)$47,219$38,013Top Earner (P90)$60,249$60,874US Median $47,261

Verdict

Boulder, CO offers better overall compensation for phlebotomists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Commerce City.

The salary gap between Boulder and Commerce City is $2,299 (4.85%). Boulder's median is +5.22% compared to the US national median of $47,261.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Boulder spans $13,030,Commerce City spans $22,861. Commerce City has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced phlebotomists.

Boulder
P10 (Entry)$47,219
P25$47,783
Median$49,727
P75$52,517
P90 (Top)$60,249
Commerce City
P10 (Entry)$38,013
P25$40,098
Median$47,428
P75$51,169
P90 (Top)$60,874

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Boulder ($47,268 effective) pays 4.65% more than Commerce City ($45,170 effective).

Boulder
Nominal: $49,727
CoL Index: 105.202
Adjusted: $47,268
Commerce City
Nominal: $47,428
CoL Index: 105
Adjusted: $45,170

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Boulder if…

  • Higher median salary ($49,727/year)
  • Larger job market (140 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $47,268)
  • You prefer the Colorado area and lifestyle

Choose Commerce City if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($60,874)
  • You prefer the Colorado area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, phlebotomist salaries in Boulder grew 36.0% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 1.3% growth in Commerce City over the same period.

Boulder, CO

+36.0%

$34,980 (2019) → $47,590 (2025)

Commerce City, CO

+1.3%

$44,818 (2024) → $45,390 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays phlebotomists more: Boulder or Commerce City?

Boulder has a higher median phlebotomist salary at $49,727/year, compared to Commerce City at $47,428/year — a difference of $2,299 (4.85%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Boulder and Commerce City?

Boulder phlebotomists earn $23.91/hr while Commerce City hygienists earn $22.80/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Boulder to Commerce City as a phlebotomist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Boulder and Commerce City. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Boulder = $47,268, Commerce City = $45,170), job availability (140 vs 16 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level phlebotomists earn in Boulder vs Commerce City?

Entry-level (10th percentile) phlebotomists earn $47,219 in Boulder and $38,013 in Commerce City. The Boulder 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