Phlebotomist Salary in Richmond, VA: $48,452 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time phlebotomist in Richmond, VA earns a median $48,452/year (≈ $23.29/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9097). Once you factor in Richmond's price level (2% below national, BEA RPP 97.9), that paycheck buys what $49,513 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 9.5% above the Virginia state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the projected median pay for phlebotomists in Richmond, Virginia, is set at $48,452, slightly surpassing the national median of $47,261. This salary reflects the current job market dynamics in Richmond, where the full salary range spans from $40,020 at the 10th percentile to $59,664 at the 90th percentile. These estimates derive from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) surveys. Although Virginia does not have a licensure premium like California's Certified Phlebotomy Technician requirements that can drive higher salaries in that state, Richmond's phlebotomists benefit from a local market that offers competitive compensation relative to the region's cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $40,020 | $19.24 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $41,085 | $19.75 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $48,452 | $23.29 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $51,211 | $24.62 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $59,664 | $28.68 |
Median Salary Position
2.52% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Richmond
In Richmond, VA, the phlebotomist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $19,644 (2026 est.). At $48,452, the local median is 2.52% above the national median of $47,261.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Richmond: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Richmond Phlebotomist Pay Compares
Richmond median: $48,452/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Richmond Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Average | $44,248 | +9.50% more |
| National Average | $47,261 | +2.52% more |
Phlebotomists in Richmond, VA earn a median of $48,452 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.52% higher than the national median of $47,261 and 9.50% above the Virginia state average of $44,248.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Richmond has a cost of living 2.14% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Richmond, VA has a cost-of-living index of 97.858 (below the national average of 100). A phlebotomist earning $48,452 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $49,513 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.19% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$38,670
2025 BLS Actual
$46,370
2026 Current Est.
$48,452
2019–2027 Growth
+30.9%
Salary Trajectory for Phlebotomists in Richmond (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.49% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $38,670 | Actual |
| 2020 | $37,660 | Actual |
| 2021 | $37,690 | Actual |
| 2022 | $39,320 | Actual |
| 2023 | $44,940 | Actual |
| 2024 | $46,470 | Actual |
| 2025 | $46,370 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $48,452 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $50,628 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Richmond metropolitan area, the median phlebotomist salary grew 19.9% from $38,670 (2019) to $46,370 (2025). At a 4.49% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $50,628 by 2027 — a total increase of $11,958 (30.92%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Richmond 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) | $40,020 – $41,085 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $41,085 – $48,452 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $48,452 – $51,211 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $51,211 – $59,664 |
PBT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual phlebotomist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Phlebotomist Job Market in Richmond
With approximately 640 employed phlebotomists in Richmond, the local job market appears robust, providing ample job opportunities. The cost of living index stands at 97.858, which indicates that salaries can translate to improved purchasing power for those working in the area. Among the various employers, plasma donation centers like Grifols and CSL Plasma often pay the most, with starting rates competing at $20-$25 per hour, while hospital settings may offer less due to shift differentials. The pay variation stems from factors such as the difficulty involved in specialty draws and the capacity of employers to provide incentives. For those in the Richmond market, obtaining additional certifications or seeking employment in higher-paying environments can significantly enhance earnings potential.
More salary data for Richmond, VA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can phlebotomists make $100K in Richmond?
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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 $46,370 for phlebotomistsin the Richmond 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