Phlebotomist Salary in Des Plaines, IL: $44,498 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time phlebotomist in Des Plaines, IL earns a median $44,498/year (≈ $21.39/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9097). Once you factor in Des Plaines's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $45,827 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.3% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Des Plaines, Illinois, the projected median annual phlebotomist salary is $44,498 for 2026, reflecting a competitive position relative to national trends. Local salaries range from $35,471 at the lower end to $56,928 at the high end, providing a variety of compensation levels that are influenced by the type of employment setting. Phlebotomists in plasma donation centers typically earn more compared to their counterparts in hospitals and outpatient labs, reflecting the intense competition for skilled labor in this sector. The figures presented here are local estimates based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional cost variations, highlighting the nuances within Des Plaines's job market.
About the Des Plaines Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($42,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $35,471 | $17.05 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $36,468 | $17.53 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $44,498 | $21.39 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $47,795 | $22.98 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $56,928 | $27.37 |
Median Salary Position
5.85% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Des Plaines
In Des Plaines, IL, the phlebotomist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $21,457 (2026 est.). At $44,498, the local median is 5.85% below the national median of $47,261.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Des Plaines: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Des Plaines Phlebotomist Pay Compares
Des Plaines median: $44,498/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Des Plaines Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $46,017 | -3.30% less |
| National Average | $47,261 | -5.85% less |
Phlebotomists in Des Plaines, IL earn a median of $44,498 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.85% lower than the national median of $47,261 and 3.30% below the Illinois state average of $46,017.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Des Plaines has a cost of living 2.90% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Des Plaines, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A phlebotomist earning $44,498 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $45,827 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$33,434
2025 BLS Actual
$42,586
2026 Current Est.
$44,498
2019–2027 Growth
+39.1%
Salary Trajectory for Phlebotomists in Des Plaines (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.49% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $33,434 | Actual |
| 2020 | $34,197 | Actual |
| 2021 | $35,195 | Actual |
| 2022 | $36,278 | Actual |
| 2023 | $39,366 | Actual |
| 2024 | $39,426 | Actual |
| 2025 | $42,586 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $44,498 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $46,496 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Des Plaines metropolitan area, the median phlebotomist salary grew 27.4% from $33,434 (2019) to $42,586 (2025). At a 4.49% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $46,496 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,062 (39.07%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Des Plaines metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 4.49% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $35,471 – $36,468 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $36,468 – $44,498 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $44,498 – $47,795 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $47,795 – $56,928 |
PBT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual phlebotomist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Phlebotomist Job Market in Des Plaines
The phlebotomist job market in Des Plaines currently includes about 12 professionals, indicating a modest but stable presence in the area. With a cost-of-living index of 97.1, the purchasing power for phlebotomists in this city is slightly more favorable than many regions, which is essential for take-home pay considerations. Employers like Grifols and CSL Plasma tend to offer the highest wages due to the demand for qualified phlebotomists, often exceeding typical hospital pay scales. The variation in salaries can be attributed to factors such as the work environment, shift differentials for early hospital draws, and qualifications like California CPT licensure that can command premiums. For those aiming to maximize their earnings in Des Plaines, pursuing certifications from organizations like ASCP or NHA and considering flexible schedules in high-paying settings could be effective strategies for enhancing overall compensation.
More salary data for Des Plaines, IL:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $42,586 for phlebotomistsin the Des Plaines metropolitan area. A 4.49% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Des Plaines is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.49%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for phlebotomists (SOC 31-9097).
Compiled and verified by Aisha Patel, MLT, a licensed phlebotomist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov