Phlebotomist Salary in Lincoln, NE: $40,845 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time phlebotomist in Lincoln, NE earns a median $40,845/year (≈ $19.64/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9097). Once you factor in Lincoln's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.6), that paycheck buys what $44,600 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.5% below the Nebraska state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Phlebotomists in Lincoln, NE, can expect a median annual salary of $40,845 in 2026, indicating a significant difference from the national median of $47,261. The salary for these professionals ranges from $36,530 at the 10th percentile to $50,385 at the 90th percentile, reflecting various employment settings. This data is derived from projections based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, highlighting a market where salaries are influenced by the type of facility. For instance, phlebotomists employed at plasma donation centers generally see higher pay compared to those working in hospitals or outpatient labs, creating a competitive job market in Lincoln as the demand for skilled professionals continues to rise.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $36,530 | $17.56 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $38,787 | $18.65 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $40,845 | $19.64 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $47,334 | $22.76 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $50,385 | $24.23 |
Median Salary Position
13.58% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lincoln
In Lincoln, NE, the phlebotomist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $13,855 (2026 est.). At $40,845, the local median is 13.58% below the national median of $47,261.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Lincoln: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Lincoln Phlebotomist Pay Compares
Lincoln median: $40,845/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lincoln Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Nebraska Average | $43,222 | -5.50% less |
| National Average | $47,261 | -13.58% less |
Phlebotomists in Lincoln, NE earn a median of $40,845 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.58% lower than the national median of $47,261 and 5.50% below the Nebraska state average of $43,222.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lincoln has a cost of living 8.42% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Lincoln, NE has a cost-of-living index of 91.581 (below the national average of 100). A phlebotomist earning $40,845 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $44,600 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.19% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$30,170
2025 BLS Actual
$39,090
2026 Current Est.
$40,845
2019–2027 Growth
+41.5%
Salary Trajectory for Phlebotomists in Lincoln (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.49% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $30,170 | Actual |
| 2020 | $30,680 | Actual |
| 2021 | $29,990 | Actual |
| 2022 | $32,580 | Actual |
| 2023 | $35,780 | Actual |
| 2024 | $36,060 | Actual |
| 2025 | $39,090 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $40,845 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $42,679 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lincoln metropolitan area, the median phlebotomist salary grew 29.6% from $30,170 (2019) to $39,090 (2025). At a 4.49% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $42,679 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,509 (41.46%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lincoln metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 4.49% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $36,530 – $38,787 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $38,787 – $40,845 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $40,845 – $47,334 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $47,334 – $50,385 |
PBT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual phlebotomist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Phlebotomist Job Market in Lincoln
With approximately 240 phlebotomists currently employed in Lincoln, the local job market demonstrates solid growth potential, fueled by factors such as an aging population and increased demand for plasma donations. The cost-of-living index in Lincoln stands at 91.581, suggesting that while salaries may be lower than the national average, purchasing power remains relatively strong. Among local employers, plasma donation centers like Grifols tend to offer the highest pay, often starting around $20-$25 per hour, while hospitals and outpatient labs usually provide less. Variations in pay are influenced by job settings, shift differentials, and the specific skills required for pediatric draws or specialized roles. For those seeking to maximize their phlebotomist pay in Lincoln, obtaining additional certifications like ASCP or NHA, along with seeking employment at plasma centers, can significantly enhance earning potential, creating fruitful paths in the healthcare field.
More salary data for Lincoln, NE:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do phlebotomists make in Lincoln, NE in 2026?
Is Lincoln, NE a good place to work as a phlebotomist?
Can phlebotomists make $100K in Lincoln?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted phlebotomist salary in Lincoln?
How much does a phlebotomist make per hour in Lincoln?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Nebraska
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.
Methodology & Data Source
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $39,090 for phlebotomistsin the Lincoln metropolitan area. A 4.49% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.49%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for phlebotomists (SOC 31-9097).
Compiled and verified by Aisha Patel, MLT, a licensed phlebotomist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov