The factors that influence the salary of a phlebotomy technician are work experience, type of employer, work shifts, and location. This article provides a brief information on this job profile.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment of phlebotomists is projected to grow 27% from 2012 to 2022, much faster than the average for all occupations.
Phlebotomy is nothing but the act or process of drawing blood for diagnosing and treating a particular health problem or just for blood donation. Almost all physicians and allied health professions like nurses, paramedics, medical assistants, are trained for phlebotomy. But a phlebotomy technician (PBT), who is also called a phlebotomist, is specially trained and certified for phlebotomy, thereby reducing the load on other medical professionals.
To become a phlebotomy technician, one has to obtain a high school diploma or equivalent education, and then get the specialized training for practicing phlebotomy. There are some clinical agencies that provide a certification course for the same. According to the American Society for Clinical Pathology, certified phlebotomists earn around 10% higher wages than their non-certified counterparts.
Salary of a Phlebotomy Technician
Experience and location are two important factors that affect the phlebotomist salary. Moreover, you can expect a higher average annual salary if you are a certified phlebotomist. A phlebotomist may have to work in shifts, and thus, those working in night shifts usually earn a bit higher as compared to others.
- According to the BLS, the median salary is $30,670 per annum.
- Some phlebotomist work as supervisors in clinical laboratories, and their average salary is $35,000 per annum.
Based on Work Experience
- A beginner at phlebotomy can earn up to $20,000 annually.
- According to PayScale, the annual salary for phlebotomists with less than one year of practical experience ranges from $19,418 to $36,557.
- The salary figures for experienced technicians can be in the range of $24,528 – $44,312.
- A survey states that, clinics pay almost 40% higher for weekends and evening shifts. Some technicians may work on hourly basis, and starting wages for such phlebotomist can be $9.30 to $20.28 per hour.
Based on Location
- According to the BLS, states with the highest employment level in this occupation were California, Texas, Pennsylvania, Florida, and Illinois.
- Alaska was the top-paying state for phlebotomists with an average annual salary of $38,540. District of Colombia, New York, California, and Maryland also paid well, around $37K -$38K.
- With an annual mean salary of $36,680, Los Angeles-Long Beach-Glendale (CA) was the metropolitan area with the highest employment level in this occupation.
- With an annual mean salary of $46,520, Redding, (CA) was the top-paying metropolitan area.
Based on Type of Employer
- Phlebotomists working for general medical and surgical hospitals are generally compensated very well.
- The top paying industries for the occupation of phlebotomists included: insurance carriers ($42,870), specialty hospitals ($36,850), home health care services ($35,760), offices of physicians, and other ambulatory healthcare services.
Duties of a Phlebotomy Technician
The chief duty of a phlebotomy technician is to take blood samples of the patients. Sometimes the blood samples are also taken for blood donation or transfer. The set of duties may differ with different workplaces. Many of them basically work with clinical laboratories or diagnostic centers. Some of them work at hospitals, blood banks, pharmaceutical companies, etc.
Phlebotomy is a delicate medical stream, and a phlebotomist must maintain hygiene during the process. He should wear protective gloves while taking the blood samples. Many patients are scared of needles that are required to take the blood sample. It’s his duty to create a relaxing atmosphere and reduce the fear of the patient. He should take the blood sample in a skillful, reliable, and safe manner. Other than taking blood samples, he also has to interact with other staff members that can include, doctors and nurses. The list of other duties include the following:
- He/she has to explain the procedure to the patient.
- Measure blood pressure of the patient.
- Clean and sterilize the equipment after taking blood samples.
- Maintain the medical records of the patient.
- Send the samples to the lab for further procedures.
- Attending patients at the reception, allotting appointments, and maintaining the blood-drawing equipment and other related material.
- Harboring a congenial and comforting attitude towards patients is an invincible attribute. It helps phlebotomy technicians to develop interpersonal relations coupled with an amiable environment.
The figures of phlebotomy technician salary, aforementioned in the article, are approximate, and may change with the circumstances and the location of work. A phlebotomist has great career opportunities since demand of such specialized health professional is on the rise. Hospitals, diagnostic laboratories, blood donation centers, and other similar facilities will need phlebotomists to perform blood work.