How to Become A Hemodialysis Technician in California
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, California employs approximately 26,540 workers in the related “Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other” category (SOC 29-2099), with a median annual wage of $60,390 1. The state’s concentration of jobs in this category is 1.24x the national average, indicating strong regional demand. Nationally, employment in this category is projected to grow 5.2% from 2024 to 2034, with about 13,600 openings per year 2. This page covers how to become a hemodialysis technician in California, including certification options, training programs, and salary data.
A note on salary data: The Bureau of Labor Statistics does not track hemodialysis technician salaries as a separate category. The wage figures on this page are based on the closest matching BLS classification: Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other (SOC 29-2099). Actual hemodialysis technician earnings may vary.
Quick Answers About Becoming A Hemodialysis Technician in California
How do I become a hemodialysis technician in California? California requires credentials such as Certified Hemodialysis Technician. The licensing authority is the Department of Public Health - Aide and Technician Certification Section 3. You also need to complete an approved training program or apprenticeship.
How long does it take? Typical requirements include approximately 4 years of experience 3.
Do I need a license in California? Yes. California has licensing or registration requirements for hemodialysis technicians. The Department of Public Health - Aide and Technician Certification Section oversees licensing 3. See the licensing section below for details.
What do hemodialysis technicians earn in California? The BLS does not track hemodialysis technician wages separately. Based on the related “Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other” category, the median annual wage in California is $60,390, with entry-level wages around $47,470 and experienced workers earning $119,990 or more 1.
At a Glance
- Training paths: trade school, community college, or apprenticeship
- Typical timeline: 1 to 5 years depending on the path
- Licensing authority: Department of Public Health - Aide and Technician Certification Section
- Median wage (California): $60,390 per year (based on related “Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other” category) 1
Hemodialysis Technician License Requirements in California
The Department of Public Health - Aide and Technician Certification Section oversees hemodialysis technician licensing in California 3.
License Types
| License | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Certified Hemodialysis Technician | End Stage Renal Dialysis Clinic. Fees: $0 fee for initial and renewal certification process. |
License information sourced from CareerOneStop 4.
Hemodialysis Technician Wages by Metro Area in California
Hemodialysis Technician Wages by Metro Area in California
Note: The BLS does not track hemodialysis technician wages separately. The data below is based on the closest matching category: Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other (SOC 29-2099).
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), health technologists and technicians, all other wages in California vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim | 9,940 | $59,210 | $71,480 | $47,470 | $119,990 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont | 3,070 | $71,360 | $78,880 | $53,980 | $109,660 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario | 2,450 | $57,030 | $60,170 | $45,780 | $78,380 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad | 2,010 | $60,280 | $66,470 | $47,720 | $96,880 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom | 1,660 | $62,570 | $74,100 | $48,540 | $110,850 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara | 1,330 | $81,170 | $97,270 | $58,610 | $166,840 |
| Fresno | 910 | $52,200 | $61,510 | $41,610 | $87,310 |
| Bakersfield-Delano | 530 | $58,350 | $71,470 | $46,060 | $124,800 |
| Modesto | 410 | $58,650 | $63,810 | $44,110 | $82,110 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura | 370 | $52,380 | $57,620 | $46,130 | $78,100 |
| Stockton-Lodi | 310 | $57,800 | $62,270 | $46,160 | $81,060 |
| Vallejo | 310 | $68,960 | $72,460 | $52,210 | $94,000 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara | 260 | $59,560 | $76,580 | $48,870 | $123,640 |
| Salinas | 200 | $58,530 | $65,470 | $47,850 | $93,010 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma | 200 | $64,970 | $74,060 | $50,870 | $126,280 |
| Visalia | 200 | $52,750 | $57,840 | $45,140 | $80,250 |
| Chico | 160 | $56,620 | $57,700 | $47,920 | $74,900 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville | 130 | $60,510 | $64,430 | $45,290 | $101,360 |
| Hanford-Corcoran | 120 | $58,820 | $60,380 | $44,190 | $80,680 |
| El Centro | 110 | $49,880 | $53,250 | $39,380 | $64,580 |
| Merced | 100 | $52,570 | $56,810 | $41,290 | $74,900 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles | 90 | $60,580 | $64,070 | $45,930 | $83,000 |
| Napa | 80 | $64,400 | $65,110 | $37,430 | $86,080 |
| Redding | 80 | $53,910 | $61,920 | $43,900 | $101,260 |
| Yuba City | 80 | $58,080 | $63,020 | $50,680 | $96,940 |
Wages reflect survey data and vary based on experience, credentials, employer, and local market conditions. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025.
Top Metros for Hemodialysis technicians in California
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest hemodialysis technician employment within California according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim | 9,940 | $59,210 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont | 3,070 | $71,360 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario | 2,450 | $57,030 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad | 2,010 | $60,280 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom | 1,660 | $62,570 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for hemodialysis technicians in California? California employs approximately 26,540 workers in the related “Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other” category 1. Nationally, employment in this category is projected to grow 5.2% from 2024 to 2034 2.
Can I work as a hemodialysis technician in California with an out-of-state license? Contact the Department of Public Health - Aide and Technician Certification Section for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in California? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in California.
How much do hemodialysis technicians earn in California compared to the national average? The median annual wage for hemodialysis technicians in California is $60,390 (based on the related “Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other” category), which is $11,600 above the national median of $48,790 according to BLS data 1.
Citations
About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.
References
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Department of Public Health - Aide and Technician Certification Section - Licensing Information: https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CEH/Pages/CLPR.aspx ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
CareerOneStop - Licensed Occupations: https://www.careeronestop.org/Toolkit/Training/find-licenses.aspx ↩︎
Data sources
Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.
| Data | Provider | Vintage |
|---|---|---|
| Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | May 2025 |
| Employment Projections | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | 2024-2034 |
| Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System | National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS) | 2024 |
| College Scorecard (school-level outcomes) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release |
| College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release (updated 2026-06-12) |
| Occupational licensing requirements | CareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2026-02-22) |
| Registered apprenticeship programs | CareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2025-10-25) |
| O*NET occupation profiles (skills, tasks, tools, job zones) | U.S. Department of Labor (O*NET / Employment & Training Admin.) | O*NET 29.1 (updated 2026-06-13) |