Phlebotomists Salary in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA
The median pay for a phlebotomists in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA is $53,570/year ($25.75/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $42K at the entry level to $72K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 111.89), so that salary is closer to $47,877 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $3,001/month — about 85.8% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $54K get you in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad?
About phlebotomists
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA
Entry-level phlebotomists (10th percentile) start around $42K. Mid-career wages sit at $54K.Top earners bring in $72K or more - a $29K spread from bottom to top.
Phlebotomists pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | $55K | +27% | 13,150 |
| New York | $49K | +12% | 5,190 |
| Massachusetts | $48K | +11% | 2,790 |
| Washington | $48K | +9% | 2,380 |
| Rhode Island | $48K | +9% | 730 |
| Oregon | $48K | +9% | 1,950 |
| District of Columbia | $47K | +8% | 140 |
| Maryland | $47K | +8% | 2,030 |
| New Jersey | $47K | +7% | 4,160 |
| North Dakota | $47K | +7% | 280 |
| New Hampshire | $46K | +6% | 650 |
| Delaware | $46K | +6% | 430 |
| Connecticut | $46K | +6% | 1,780 |
| Alaska | $46K | +6% | 150 |
| Montana | $46K | +5% | 520 |
Track phlebotomists salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do phlebotomists make in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA?
The median is $53,570 a year - that works out to about $25.75 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $42,490, and experienced phlebotomists can clear $71,950. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $54K enough to live in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $3,631/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $3,001/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 82.6% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb - housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a phlebotomists salary go in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad?
San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad has a Regional Price Parity of 111.89 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median phlebotomists salary is worth about $47,877 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do phlebotomists get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.