Phlebotomist Pay

New Orleans vs Shreveport: Phlebotomist Salary (2026)

Compare phlebotomist salaries between New Orleans, LA and Shreveport, LA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

New Orleans, LA
$39,403
$18.94/hr
Shreveport, LA
$42,109
$20.24/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricNew Orleans, LAShreveport, LA
Median Salary$39,403$42,109
Hourly Rate$18.94$20.24
Entry Level (P10)$32,287$32,183
25th Percentile$36,958$34,774
75th Percentile$47,491$47,815
Top Earner (P90)$49,758$47,815
Total Employed730490
Side-by-side bar chart comparing New Orleans ($39,403) and Shreveport ($42,109) phlebotomist salaries.New OrleansShreveportMedian Salary$39,403$42,109Entry Level (P10)$32,287$32,183Top Earner (P90)$49,758$47,815US Median $47,261

Verdict

New Orleans and Shreveport are closely matched on overall phlebotomist compensation, each winning on different metrics.

The salary gap between New Orleans and Shreveport is $2,706 (6.87%). Shreveport's median is -10.90% compared to the US national median of $47,261.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in New Orleans spans $17,471,Shreveport spans $15,632. New Orleans has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

New Orleans
P10 (Entry)$32,287
P25$36,958
Median$39,403
P75$47,491
P90 (Top)$49,758
Shreveport
P10 (Entry)$32,183
P25$34,774
Median$42,109
P75$47,815
P90 (Top)$47,815

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Shreveport ($49,677 effective) pays 16.74% more than New Orleans ($42,553 effective).

New Orleans
Nominal: $39,403
CoL Index: 92.597
Adjusted: $42,553
Shreveport
Nominal: $42,109
CoL Index: 84.766
Adjusted: $49,677

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose New Orleans if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($49,758)
  • Larger job market (730 employed)
  • You prefer the Louisiana area and lifestyle

Choose Shreveport if…

  • Higher median salary ($42,109/year)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $49,677)
  • You prefer the Louisiana area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, phlebotomist salaries in New Orleans grew 8.1% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 38.8% growth in Shreveport over the same period.

New Orleans, LA

+8.1%

$34,900 (2019) → $37,710 (2025)

Shreveport, LA

+38.8%

$29,040 (2020) → $40,300 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays phlebotomists more: New Orleans or Shreveport?

Shreveport has a higher median phlebotomist salary at $42,109/year, compared to New Orleans at $39,403/year — a difference of $2,706 (6.87%).

What is the hourly rate difference between New Orleans and Shreveport?

New Orleans phlebotomists earn $18.94/hr while Shreveport hygienists earn $20.24/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from New Orleans to Shreveport as a phlebotomist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing New Orleans and Shreveport. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: New Orleans = $42,553, Shreveport = $49,677), job availability (730 vs 490 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level phlebotomists earn in New Orleans vs Shreveport?

Entry-level (10th percentile) phlebotomists earn $32,287 in New Orleans and $32,183 in Shreveport. The New Orleans 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