Phlebotomists in California
Considering working as a Phlebotomists in California? Here’s what the data says. Draw blood for tests, transfusions, donations, or research. May explain the procedure to patients and assist in the recovery of patients with adverse reactions.
What do Phlebotomists Make in California?
For phlebotomists working in California, the typical annual salary is $55,460 per year (or roughly $26.66/hour).Annual wages span from $42,520 at the 10th percentile to $70,350 at the 90th percentile.
| Wage Statistic | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $42,520 | $20.44 |
| 25th percentile | $46,790 | $22.50 |
| Median (50th) | $55,460 | $26.66 |
| 75th percentile | $60,760 | $29.21 |
| 90th percentile | $70,350 | $33.82 |
Location quotient — how concentrated this career is in California nationwide is 0.81, suggesting fewer phlebotomists per worker than the national average.
National Wage Comparison
Nationally, phlebotomists earn a median of $28,271 per year ($13.59/hour), above the California median.
Employment Outlook
National employment for 1,451,053 phlebotomists nationwide. In California alone, around 13,150 people work in this role. That’s more than the typical state, which employs around 2,030 phlebotomists.
Top California Metros for Phlebotomists
The largest metro-area employers of phlebotomists in California.
| Metro Area | Number Employed | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | 4,380 | $56,870 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | 1,520 | $53,570 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | 1,380 | $50,490 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | 1,350 | $59,850 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | 830 | $52,310 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | 460 | $60,810 |
| Fresno, CA | 420 | $48,160 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | 260 | $46,660 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | 250 | $61,350 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | 190 | $54,090 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | 170 | $53,490 |
| Modesto, CA | 150 | $49,010 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | 120 | $58,270 |
| Salinas, CA | 110 | $56,650 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA | 110 | $50,210 |
| Visalia, CA | 110 | $48,900 |
| Merced, CA | 90 | $49,710 |
| Redding, CA | 90 | $58,400 |
| El Centro, CA | 80 | $46,790 |
| Vallejo, CA | 80 | $49,980 |
| Chico, CA | 70 | $52,060 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | 40 | $57,460 |
Top States for Phlebotomists Employment
The table below shows the states where the most phlebotomists work.
| State | Number Employed |
|---|---|
| Texas | 13,410 |
| California | 13,150 |
| Florida | 9,760 |
| Illinois | 7,640 |
| Georgia | 5,470 |
| New York | 5,190 |
| Pennsylvania | 5,140 |
| North Carolina | 5,120 |
| Ohio | 4,640 |
| New Jersey | 4,160 |
| Wisconsin | 3,820 |
| Arizona | 3,660 |
| Virginia | 3,300 |
| Michigan | 3,070 |
| Tennessee | 3,000 |
| Louisiana | 2,940 |
| South Carolina | 2,880 |
| Massachusetts | 2,790 |
| Alabama | 2,510 |
| Kentucky | 2,490 |
Highest-Paying States for Phlebotomists
The highest-paying states for phlebotomists.
| State | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|
| California | $55,460 |
| New York | $49,080 |
| Massachusetts | $48,270 |
| Washington | $47,700 |
| Rhode Island | $47,650 |
| Oregon | $47,510 |
| District of Columbia | $47,110 |
| Maryland | $47,100 |
| Colorado | $47,020 |
| New Jersey | $46,840 |
Skills
The most important phlebotomists skills, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Knowledge Areas
Core knowledge areas for this occupation, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Abilities
Key abilities for phlebotomists, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Daily Tasks
Common tasks include:
- Dispose of contaminated sharps, in accordance with applicable laws, standards, and policies.
- Organize or clean blood-drawing trays, ensuring that all instruments are sterile and all needles, syringes, or related items are of first-time use.
- Draw blood from veins by vacuum tube, syringe, or butterfly venipuncture methods.
- Match laboratory requisition forms to specimen tubes.
- Dispose of blood or other biohazard fluids or tissue, in accordance with applicable laws, standards, or policies.
- Conduct standards tests, such as blood alcohol, blood culture, oral glucose tolerance, glucose screening, blood smears, or peak and trough drug levels tests.
- Collect specimens at specific time intervals for tests, such as those assessing therapeutic drug levels.
- Process blood or other fluid samples for further analysis by other medical professionals.
- Provide sample analysis results to physicians to assist diagnosis.
- Enter patient, specimen, insurance, or billing information into computer.
- Document route of specimens from collection to laboratory analysis and diagnosis.
- Draw blood from capillaries by dermal puncture, such as heel or finger stick methods.
Work Activities
- Assisting and Caring for Others
- Getting Information
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
- Working with Computers
- Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
- Processing Information
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems
- Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards
- Documenting/Recording Information
- Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work
- Performing for or Working Directly with the Public
- Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
Tools & Technology
Common tools and software used in this occupation include: Hot technologies: JavaScript In-demand technologies: Microsoft Office software
What Major Will Prepare You For This Career?
Related college programs include:
- Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science
Featured schools near , edit
Related Careers
Other careers like phlebotomists include:
- Nurse Anesthetists
- Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists
- Cytotechnologists
- Histotechnologists
- Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technicians
- Histology Technicians
Also Known As
Certified Phlebotomist, Certified Phlebotomy Technician, Clinical Phlebotomist, Collections Technician, Lab Liaison Technician, Laboratory Phlebotomist, Long Term Care Phlebotomist, Mobile Examiner, Mobile Phlebotomist, Outpatient Phlebotomist, Patient Service Technician (PST), Phlebotomist, Phlebotomy Services Representative, Phlebotomy Services Technician, Phlebotomy Technician.
References
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — https://www.bls.gov/oes/
- O*NET Online — https://www.onetonline.org/
- BLS Employment Projections — https://www.bls.gov/emp/
- O*NET-SOC code: 31-9097.00