California Median
$56,040
per year
Hourly Rate
$26.94
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+24% vs US median
US median $45,230
State Rank
#1 of 51
13,520 employed here
How much does a Phlebotomist make in California?
Phlebotomists in California take home a median of $56,040 annually — roughly $26.94 an hour — which runs 24% above the national median of $45,230.
Within California, entry-level pay starts around $45,490 while the top 10% make $74,340 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $47,800 and $62,790 a year.
Phlebotomist salary range in California
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $45,490 | $21.87 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $47,800 | $22.98 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $56,040 | $26.94 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $62,790 | $30.19 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $74,340 | $35.74 |
|
How California compares
California ranks 1st out of 51 states and territories for Phlebotomist pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Phlebotomist salary in other states
District of Columbia $51,980New York $50,530Massachusetts $50,170Oregon $49,160Washington $48,880New Hampshire $48,660New Jersey $48,650Delaware $48,110Hawaii $47,750North Dakota $47,430Colorado $47,180Wisconsin $46,470Rhode Island $46,380Virginia $46,340Arizona $46,260Illinois $46,010Minnesota $46,000Vermont $46,000Alaska $45,900Georgia $45,840Connecticut $45,820Nevada $45,760Maine $45,640Montana $45,470Pennsylvania $43,910Maryland $43,480Idaho $43,400North Carolina $43,330Missouri $43,120New Mexico $42,910Kentucky $42,480Utah $40,630Texas $40,450Florida $40,230Michigan $39,860Ohio $39,770South Dakota $39,560Nebraska $39,540Indiana $39,250West Virginia $39,250Kansas $39,100Oklahoma $39,030South Carolina $39,010Tennessee $38,550Iowa $38,240Wyoming $38,180Arkansas $37,450Alabama $37,220Mississippi $36,290Louisiana $36,120
Working as a Phlebotomist in California
Nationally, about 144,000 people work as Phlebotomists in the United States. A certificate or diploma program (usually 6 to 18 months) is the typical entry path.
Considering a move? Compare California pay ($56,040) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Phlebotomist make in California?
The median Phlebotomist salary in California is $56,040 per year, or about $26.94 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $45,490 at the entry level to $74,340 for the top 10% of earners.
How does California pay compare to the national average?
California pays Phlebotomists about 24% more than the national median of $45,230. California ranks 1st out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is California a good state for Phlebotomists?
Yes on pay — California pays above the national median for this occupation, at $56,040 a year. About 13,520 Phlebotomists are employed in California. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in California?
The highest-paying occupations in California include Ophthalmologist, Except Pediatric ($400,150), Neurologist ($357,080), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($353,900), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Phlebotomist salary report
Related salaries
$39,160
median pay · 4,000 employed
$59,460
median pay · 9,000 employed
$47,380
median pay · 129,000 employed
$51,140
median pay · 195,000 employed
$45,130
median pay · 157,000 employed
$38,290
median pay · 52,000 employed
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.