Phlebotomist Pay

Elizabethtown vs Louisville: Phlebotomist Salary (2026)

Compare phlebotomist salaries between Elizabethtown, KY and Louisville, KY. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Elizabethtown, KY
$39,163
$18.83/hr
Louisville, KY
$43,859
$21.09/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricElizabethtown, KYLouisville, KY
Median Salary$39,163$43,859
Hourly Rate$18.83$21.09
Entry Level (P10)$38,567$32,115
25th Percentile$38,567$35,139
75th Percentile$46,801$48,371
Top Earner (P90)$48,567$58,908
Total Employed30132
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Elizabethtown ($39,163) and Louisville ($43,859) phlebotomist salaries.ElizabethtownLouisvilleMedian Salary$39,163$43,859Entry Level (P10)$38,567$32,115Top Earner (P90)$48,567$58,908US Median $47,261

Verdict

Louisville, KY offers better overall compensation for phlebotomists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Elizabethtown.

The salary gap between Elizabethtown and Louisville is $4,696 (11.99%). Louisville's median is -7.20% compared to the US national median of $47,261.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Elizabethtown spans $10,000,Louisville spans $26,793. Louisville has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced phlebotomists.

Elizabethtown
P10 (Entry)$38,567
P25$38,567
Median$39,163
P75$46,801
P90 (Top)$48,567
Louisville
P10 (Entry)$32,115
P25$35,139
Median$43,859
P75$48,371
P90 (Top)$58,908

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Louisville ($49,114 effective) pays 13.59% more than Elizabethtown ($43,240 effective).

Elizabethtown
Nominal: $39,163
CoL Index: 90.572
Adjusted: $43,240
Louisville
Nominal: $43,859
CoL Index: 89.3
Adjusted: $49,114

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Elizabethtown if…

  • You prefer the Kentucky area and lifestyle

Choose Louisville if…

  • Higher median salary ($43,859/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($58,908)
  • Larger job market (132 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $49,114)
  • You prefer the Kentucky area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, phlebotomist salaries in Elizabethtown grew 16.1% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 16.5% growth in Louisville over the same period.

Elizabethtown, KY

+16.1%

$32,290 (2024) → $37,480 (2025)

Louisville, KY

+16.5%

$36,023 (2024) → $41,974 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays phlebotomists more: Elizabethtown or Louisville?

Louisville has a higher median phlebotomist salary at $43,859/year, compared to Elizabethtown at $39,163/year — a difference of $4,696 (11.99%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Elizabethtown and Louisville?

Elizabethtown phlebotomists earn $18.83/hr while Louisville hygienists earn $21.09/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Elizabethtown to Louisville as a phlebotomist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Elizabethtown and Louisville. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Elizabethtown = $43,240, Louisville = $49,114), job availability (30 vs 132 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level phlebotomists earn in Elizabethtown vs Louisville?

Entry-level (10th percentile) phlebotomists earn $38,567 in Elizabethtown and $32,115 in Louisville. The Elizabethtown 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