Phlebotomist Pay

Milwaukee vs South Milwaukee: Phlebotomist Salary (2026)

Compare phlebotomist salaries between Milwaukee, WI and South Milwaukee, WI. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Milwaukee, WI
$49,110
$23.61/hr
South Milwaukee, WI
$45,967
$22.10/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricMilwaukee, WISouth Milwaukee, WI
Median Salary$49,110$45,967
Hourly Rate$23.61$22.10
Entry Level (P10)$40,302$37,742
25th Percentile$46,059$38,991
75th Percentile$50,897$47,022
Top Earner (P90)$55,651$58,231
Total Employed9906
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Milwaukee ($49,110) and South Milwaukee ($45,967) phlebotomist salaries.MilwaukeeSouth MilwaukeeMedian Salary$49,110$45,967Entry Level (P10)$40,302$37,742Top Earner (P90)$55,651$58,231US Median $47,261

Verdict

Milwaukee, WI offers better overall compensation for phlebotomists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to South Milwaukee.

The salary gap between Milwaukee and South Milwaukee is $3,143 (6.84%). Milwaukee's median is +3.91% compared to the US national median of $47,261.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Milwaukee spans $15,349,South Milwaukee spans $20,489. South Milwaukee has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced phlebotomists.

Milwaukee
P10 (Entry)$40,302
P25$46,059
Median$49,110
P75$50,897
P90 (Top)$55,651
South Milwaukee
P10 (Entry)$37,742
P25$38,991
Median$45,967
P75$47,022
P90 (Top)$58,231

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Milwaukee ($50,662 effective) pays 2.94% more than South Milwaukee ($49,215 effective).

Milwaukee
Nominal: $49,110
CoL Index: 96.937
Adjusted: $50,662
South Milwaukee
Nominal: $45,967
CoL Index: 93.4
Adjusted: $49,215

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Milwaukee if…

  • Higher median salary ($49,110/year)
  • Larger job market (990 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $50,662)
  • You prefer the Wisconsin area and lifestyle

Choose South Milwaukee if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($58,231)
  • You prefer the Wisconsin area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, phlebotomist salaries in Milwaukee grew 27.3% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 23.9% growth in South Milwaukee over the same period.

Milwaukee, WI

+27.3%

$36,930 (2019) → $47,000 (2025)

South Milwaukee, WI

+23.9%

$35,493 (2024) → $43,992 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays phlebotomists more: Milwaukee or South Milwaukee?

Milwaukee has a higher median phlebotomist salary at $49,110/year, compared to South Milwaukee at $45,967/year — a difference of $3,143 (6.84%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Milwaukee and South Milwaukee?

Milwaukee phlebotomists earn $23.61/hr while South Milwaukee hygienists earn $22.10/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Milwaukee to South Milwaukee as a phlebotomist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Milwaukee and South Milwaukee. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Milwaukee = $50,662, South Milwaukee = $49,215), job availability (990 vs 6 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level phlebotomists earn in Milwaukee vs South Milwaukee?

Entry-level (10th percentile) phlebotomists earn $40,302 in Milwaukee and $37,742 in South Milwaukee. The Milwaukee 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