Phlebotomist Pay

Cleveland vs Stow: Phlebotomist Salary (2026)

Compare phlebotomist salaries between Cleveland, OH and Stow, OH. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Cleveland, OH
$41,535
$19.97/hr
Stow, OH
$39,577
$19.03/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCleveland, OHStow, OH
Median Salary$41,535$39,577
Hourly Rate$19.97$19.03
Entry Level (P10)$39,999$32,713
25th Percentile$40,459$34,074
75th Percentile$49,215$42,120
Top Earner (P90)$50,824$49,530
Total Employed9809
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Cleveland ($41,535) and Stow ($39,577) phlebotomist salaries.ClevelandStowMedian Salary$41,535$39,577Entry Level (P10)$39,999$32,713Top Earner (P90)$50,824$49,530US Median $47,261

Verdict

Cleveland, OH offers better overall compensation for phlebotomists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Stow.

The salary gap between Cleveland and Stow is $1,958 (4.95%). Cleveland's median is -12.12% compared to the US national median of $47,261.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Cleveland spans $10,825,Stow spans $16,817. Stow has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced phlebotomists.

Cleveland
P10 (Entry)$39,999
P25$40,459
Median$41,535
P75$49,215
P90 (Top)$50,824
Stow
P10 (Entry)$32,713
P25$34,074
Median$39,577
P75$42,120
P90 (Top)$49,530

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Cleveland ($44,222 effective) pays 1.35% more than Stow ($43,635 effective).

Cleveland
Nominal: $41,535
CoL Index: 93.923
Adjusted: $44,222
Stow
Nominal: $39,577
CoL Index: 90.7
Adjusted: $43,635

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Cleveland if…

  • Higher median salary ($41,535/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($50,824)
  • Larger job market (980 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $44,222)
  • You prefer the Ohio area and lifestyle

Choose Stow if…

  • You prefer the Ohio area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, phlebotomist salaries in Cleveland grew 6.8% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 15.4% growth in Stow over the same period.

Cleveland, OH

+6.8%

$37,230 (2019) → $39,750 (2025)

Stow, OH

+15.4%

$32,829 (2024) → $37,876 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays phlebotomists more: Cleveland or Stow?

Cleveland has a higher median phlebotomist salary at $41,535/year, compared to Stow at $39,577/year — a difference of $1,958 (4.95%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Cleveland and Stow?

Cleveland phlebotomists earn $19.97/hr while Stow hygienists earn $19.03/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Cleveland to Stow as a phlebotomist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Cleveland and Stow. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Cleveland = $44,222, Stow = $43,635), job availability (980 vs 9 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level phlebotomists earn in Cleveland vs Stow?

Entry-level (10th percentile) phlebotomists earn $39,999 in Cleveland and $32,713 in Stow. The Cleveland 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