Phlebotomist Pay

Friendswood vs Houston: Phlebotomist Salary (2026)

Compare phlebotomist salaries between Friendswood, TX and Houston, TX. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Friendswood, TX
$37,330
$17.95/hr
Houston, TX
$47,585
$22.87/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricFriendswood, TXHouston, TX
Median Salary$37,330$47,585
Hourly Rate$17.95$22.87
Entry Level (P10)$31,751$37,491
25th Percentile$32,803$39,006
75th Percentile$40,372$50,197
Top Earner (P90)$47,774$58,149
Total Employed82,620
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Friendswood ($37,330) and Houston ($47,585) phlebotomist salaries.FriendswoodHoustonMedian Salary$37,330$47,585Entry Level (P10)$31,751$37,491Top Earner (P90)$47,774$58,149US Median $47,261

Verdict

Houston, TX offers better overall compensation for phlebotomists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Friendswood.

The salary gap between Friendswood and Houston is $10,255 (27.47%). Houston's median is +0.69% compared to the US national median of $47,261.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Friendswood spans $16,023,Houston spans $20,658. Houston has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced phlebotomists.

Friendswood
P10 (Entry)$31,751
P25$32,803
Median$37,330
P75$40,372
P90 (Top)$47,774
Houston
P10 (Entry)$37,491
P25$39,006
Median$47,585
P75$50,197
P90 (Top)$58,149

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Houston ($48,246 effective) pays 24.07% more than Friendswood ($38,885 effective).

Friendswood
Nominal: $37,330
CoL Index: 96
Adjusted: $38,885
Houston
Nominal: $47,585
CoL Index: 98.629
Adjusted: $48,246

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Friendswood if…

  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Choose Houston if…

  • Higher median salary ($47,585/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($58,149)
  • Larger job market (2,620 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $48,246)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, phlebotomist salaries in Friendswood grew -3.8% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 29.7% growth in Houston over the same period.

Friendswood, TX

+-3.8%

$37,118 (2024) → $35,726 (2025)

Houston, TX

+29.7%

$35,120 (2019) → $45,540 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays phlebotomists more: Friendswood or Houston?

Houston has a higher median phlebotomist salary at $47,585/year, compared to Friendswood at $37,330/year — a difference of $10,255 (27.47%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Friendswood and Houston?

Friendswood phlebotomists earn $17.95/hr while Houston hygienists earn $22.87/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Friendswood to Houston as a phlebotomist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Friendswood and Houston. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Friendswood = $38,885, Houston = $48,246), job availability (8 vs 2,620 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level phlebotomists earn in Friendswood vs Houston?

Entry-level (10th percentile) phlebotomists earn $31,751 in Friendswood and $37,491 in Houston. The Houston 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