Phlebotomy Defined

• Phlebotomy technicians, or clinical laboratory technicians, are medical professionals trained to obtain blood samples from patients through venipuncture (drawing blood through a vein). As a phlebotomy tech, you will also be responsible for taking patient's vitals signs and updating their medical records. These medical professionals must take extra care in sterilization methods due to the nature of the job. Phlebotomy technicians generally work in hospitals, private doctor's offices and blood banks such as the American Red Cross. According to the American Society of Clinical Pathologists, these positions are often hard to fill, with a reported job vacancy that usually stays at around 25 percent.
  
  

Income by Experience Levels

• According to an August 2009 survey by payscale.com that is updated daily, the average starting salary for a first-year phlebotomy tech is between $9.75 an hour and $12.47 an hour, depending on location. After one year of experience, you can expect to earn between $10.08 an hour and $13.40 an hour. Phlebotomy technicians with at least five years of experience are earning between $11.39 an hour and $14.76 an hour. Those who have been on the job for at least 10 years can earn an hourly wage of $12.37 to $16.10 an hour.
  
  

Types of Employer

• The type of employer can also affect incomes for phlebotomy techs. Those employed in private physicians' offices average between $10.51 an hour and $14.31 an hour. Hospitals pay only slightly more, up to $14.56 an hour on average. Phlebotomy work in non-profit agencies pays better at an hourly rate of $11.55 an hour on the low end to $15.55 on the higher end. Those phlebotomy techs working for state and local government agencies are earning the highest incomes, ranging between $11.22 and $16.02 an hour.
  
  

Job Location and Pay

• The area where you work can also have a determination on how much money you can make in the phlebotomy field. Some of the highest-paid techs are working in Boston, earning averages lows and highs of $13.56 and $17.32 an hour. Phlebotomy techs in Chicago make $12.56 to $15.43 an hour and in Phoenix $11.54 to $14.55 an hour. Phlebotomy techs in San Antonio make $10.01 to $13.19 an hour.
  
  

Female vs. Male for Pay

• Female phlebotomy technicians earn between $10.80 and $14.67 an hour. Their male coworkers average $10.98 to $15.50 an hour.