Phlebotomist Pay

Albany vs Atlanta: Phlebotomist Salary (2026)

Compare phlebotomist salaries between Albany, GA and Atlanta, GA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Albany, GA
$44,241
$21.26/hr
Atlanta, GA
$51,587
$24.80/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAlbany, GAAtlanta, GA
Median Salary$44,241$51,587
Hourly Rate$21.26$24.80
Entry Level (P10)$35,150$37,909
25th Percentile$37,000$44,178
75th Percentile$48,139$54,638
Top Earner (P90)$57,480$60,291
Total Employed702,790
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Albany ($44,241) and Atlanta ($51,587) phlebotomist salaries.AlbanyAtlantaMedian Salary$44,241$51,587Entry Level (P10)$35,150$37,909Top Earner (P90)$57,480$60,291US Median $47,261

Verdict

Atlanta, GA offers better overall compensation for phlebotomists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Albany.

The salary gap between Albany and Atlanta is $7,346 (16.60%). Atlanta's median is +9.15% compared to the US national median of $47,261.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Albany spans $22,330,Atlanta spans $22,382. Atlanta has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced phlebotomists.

Albany
P10 (Entry)$35,150
P25$37,000
Median$44,241
P75$48,139
P90 (Top)$57,480
Atlanta
P10 (Entry)$37,909
P25$44,178
Median$51,587
P75$54,638
P90 (Top)$60,291

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Atlanta ($51,557 effective) pays 2.17% more than Albany ($50,464 effective).

Albany
Nominal: $44,241
CoL Index: 87.669
Adjusted: $50,464
Atlanta
Nominal: $51,587
CoL Index: 100.058
Adjusted: $51,557

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Albany if…

  • You prefer the Georgia area and lifestyle

Choose Atlanta if…

  • Higher median salary ($51,587/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($60,291)
  • Larger job market (2,790 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $51,557)
  • You prefer the Georgia area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, phlebotomist salaries in Albany grew 24.9% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 48.4% growth in Atlanta over the same period.

Albany, GA

+24.9%

$33,900 (2019) → $42,340 (2025)

Atlanta, GA

+48.4%

$33,260 (2019) → $49,370 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays phlebotomists more: Albany or Atlanta?

Atlanta has a higher median phlebotomist salary at $51,587/year, compared to Albany at $44,241/year — a difference of $7,346 (16.60%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Albany and Atlanta?

Albany phlebotomists earn $21.26/hr while Atlanta hygienists earn $24.80/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Albany to Atlanta as a phlebotomist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Albany and Atlanta. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Albany = $50,464, Atlanta = $51,557), job availability (70 vs 2,790 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level phlebotomists earn in Albany vs Atlanta?

Entry-level (10th percentile) phlebotomists earn $35,150 in Albany and $37,909 in Atlanta. The Atlanta area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

AP

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.

Clinically reviewed by Jamal Thompson, PBT(ASCP)Data verified by Maria Garcia, CPT

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 4.49% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Aisha Patel, MLT, a licensed phlebotomist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov