5 Ways to Make Phlebotomy Pay

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When playing Monopoly, one winning strategy is to buy up all four railroads.

There’s a lot about Monopoly that doesn’t resemble real life in any way. But the idea that one needs a strategy to increase earning potential? We’ll call that a definite resemblance.

The following tactics will help you determine the steps you can take now and those you may need to be prepared to take, to make a career in phlebotomy pay the wage that you seek.

1. Keep Learning

You earned your phlebotomy credentials the hard way — by earning them. Having pushed yourself as hard as you did, it’s tempting to relax. Don’t let up, though. Continuing your learning journey is an excellent way to increase your attractiveness to prospective employers. Every enterprise is only as strong as the people within it; developing expertise through continual learning demonstrates your commitment to excellence and makes you a great recruit.

2. Consider Changing Employers

Speaking of prospective employers: they can be the next step to higher pay. Employees who switch companies expect a 10% salary increase. Admittedly, a change in employers isn’t always required. If your supervisors recognize your commitment to excellence and lifelong learning, they’ll realize your potential and increase your pay to keep you in their team.

3. Go Where the Work Is …

Increasing your pay or job prospects isn’t always a matter of changing employers, however. It may be that a change in location is required. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the following three states are the best for phlebotomist pay:

  • California
  • Alaska
  • Washington, D.C.

This doesn’t mean living elsewhere limits your salary potential. But it does mean that there are areas in the country with a pay discrepancy because of factors such as population density or phlebotomist scarcity.

4. … But Don’t Panic If You Can’t

One thing working in your favor is that our entire country is steadily getting older. That increases healthcare demands and, therefore, the need for phlebotomists. The three states with the oldest citizens right now are:

  1. Florida (with nearly 18% of its population over 65 years of age)
  2. Pennsylvania (almost 16%)
  3. West Virginia (15%)

This is another example of how geographic demographics may play a role in your earning potential.

Even if you sit tight in your current state, America’s changing demographics will come to you. The country’s 65-and-older residents will hit close to 24 percent of the population by 2060. That’s nearly 1 in 4 people.

5. Understand That Networking Isn’t a Four-Letter Word

For something as reviled as it is, networking doesn’t get the hint. No one likes it, but it’s going to stick around for a while. A LONG while. That’s okay since it’s a great way to meet the people and discover the opportunities that might make all the difference to your salary goals.

LinkedIn makes networking easier. No easy; easier. You might not have to hang out face-to-face with relative strangers, forcing small talk for hours without ever letting your smile fade. But it’s called “social” media for a reason, so it does require some diligence. For example:

  • Write reviews for contacts
  • Join, and participate in, LinkedIn groups
  • Give others attention; don’t make it all about you … or you’ll become the person everyone avoids
  • Contribute to groups, reviews, or something similar at least once a week to demonstrate how engaged you are

You’re in the Right Place to Make Phlebotomy Pay!

If you’re beginning to get the impression that entering the healthcare field right now is a good idea, you’d be right. That means it’s also an excellent field to enter if your ambitions are set at a certain salary level.

It won’t be easy; nothing worth having ever is. And you might never end up with all four railroads in Monopoly. But that doesn’t mean in the end that you won’t come out a winner.

What are you waiting for? Do not pass “Go”— learn more here!