Phlebotomist Salary in Cleveland, OH: $41,535 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time phlebotomist in Cleveland, OH earns a median $41,535/year (≈ $19.97/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9097). Once you factor in Cleveland's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.9), that paycheck buys what $44,222 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.0% above the Ohio state average.
Official BLS data · View source
For phlebotomists in Cleveland, Ohio, the 2026 median annual salary is projected to be $41,535, reflecting a pay scale that ranges from $39,999 at the lower tenth percentile to $50,824 at the higher ninetieth percentile. Derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, these figures highlight a competitive local job market that can offer additional compensation through shift differentials and stipends for early morning draws in hospital settings. While the median salary in Cleveland falls short of the national level, this city’s unique healthcare environment, with a strong focus on patient care, ensures ample opportunities for skilled phlebotomists to find rewarding positions.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $39,999 | $19.24 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $40,459 | $19.45 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $41,535 | $19.97 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $49,215 | $23.66 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $50,824 | $24.43 |
Median Salary Position
12.12% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Cleveland
In Cleveland, OH, the phlebotomist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $10,825 (2026 est.). At $41,535, the local median is 12.12% below the national median of $47,261.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Cleveland: You'd be in the entry-level range
How Cleveland Phlebotomist Pay Compares
Cleveland median: $41,535/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Cleveland Pays |
|---|---|---|
| National Average | $47,261 | -12.12% less |
Phlebotomists in Cleveland, OH earn a median of $41,535 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.12% lower than the national median of $47,261.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Cleveland has a cost of living 6.08% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Cleveland, OH has a cost-of-living index of 93.923 (below the national average of 100). A phlebotomist earning $41,535 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $44,222 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.47% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$37,230
2025 BLS Actual
$39,750
2026 Current Est.
$41,535
2019–2027 Growth
+16.6%
Salary Trajectory for Phlebotomists in Cleveland (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.49% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $37,230 | Actual |
| 2020 | $37,290 | Actual |
| 2021 | $37,420 | Actual |
| 2022 | $37,600 | Actual |
| 2023 | $39,640 | Actual |
| 2024 | $38,650 | Actual |
| 2025 | $39,750 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $41,535 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $43,400 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Cleveland metropolitan area, the median phlebotomist salary grew 6.8% from $37,230 (2019) to $39,750 (2025). At a 4.49% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $43,400 by 2027 — a total increase of $6,170 (16.57%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Cleveland 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) | $39,999 – $40,459 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $40,459 – $41,535 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $41,535 – $49,215 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $49,215 – $50,824 |
PBT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual phlebotomist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Phlebotomist Job Market in Cleveland
In Cleveland, approximately 980 professionals are employed in phlebotomy roles, a number that indicates a steady demand for this occupation. With a cost-of-living index of 93.923, salaries offer a reasonable purchasing power that can go further than in many larger urban centers. Among various employers, plasma donation centers like Grifols, CSL Plasma, and Octapharma often offer the highest wages, appealing to those looking for competitive phlebotomist pay in Cleveland, OH. The disparity in earnings across settings can be attributed to factors such as shift differentials and specialty skills, particularly in pediatric phlebotomy. For phlebotomists seeking to maximize their earnings, targeting positions in plasma donation centers or pursuing certifications from organizations such as ASCP or AMT can enhance both opportunities and salary potential within this growing field.
More salary data for Cleveland, OH:
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 $39,750 for phlebotomistsin the Cleveland 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
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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