How to Become a Hemodialysis Technician in California (2026)
California employs about 26,540 hemodialysis technicians earning a median $60,390 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025; proxy category “Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other”). Training as a Hemodialysis Technician here means completing approved dialysis technician training, a national exam (NNCC, BONENT, or equivalent), and state CHT certification where required, then applying through CDPH Healthcare Professional Certification and Training Section.
Compare Hemodialysis Technician Schools in California
| # | School | BOC Score (0–100) | Tuition | Median grad earnings (all majors) | Graduation rate | Online | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lower Columbia College | 66.5 | $4,626 - $16,169 | $52,301 | 24% | Yes* | 761 mi |
| 2 | National Polytechnic College | 43.3 | Contact school for pricing | $42,752 | Not reported | — | 134 mi |
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Schools closest to the page's primary location are gathered first, then ranked by BOC Score; distance from the page's primary location is shown for reference. The BOC Score is an independent measure of school outcomes (graduation, earnings, net price, retention) expressed as a 0–100 percentile within each school's peer group; higher is better and advertising never affects it. *Online availability refers to coursework; hands-on trade training is completed in person. Read the full methodology.
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 licensing requirements, 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.
At a Glance
- Training paths: approved hemodialysis technician training (find programs)
- Typical timeline: approved dialysis technician training, a national exam (NNCC, BONENT, or equivalent), and state CHT certification where required
- Licensing authority: CDPH Healthcare Professional Certification and Training Section
- Exam: NNCC CCHT, BONENT, or the exam the state accepts
- Median wage (California): $60,390 per year (based on related “Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other” category) 1
Quick Answers About How to Become a Hemodialysis Technician in California
How to become a Hemodialysis Technician in California? Complete approved dialysis technician training, a national exam (NNCC, BONENT, or equivalent), and state CHT certification where required. Apply through CDPH Healthcare Professional Certification and Training Section.
How long does it take? Most people finish approved dialysis technician training, a national exam (NNCC, BONENT, or equivalent), and state CHT certification where required. Confirm current hour totals with the program and CDPH Healthcare Professional Certification and Training Section.
Do I need a license in California? Yes. California credentials this role through CDPH Healthcare Professional Certification and Training Section 3. See the licensing section below.
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.
How to Become a Hemodialysis Technician in California
- Meet entry rules. Programs typically require a high school diploma or GED. Confirm current rules with CDPH Healthcare Professional Certification and Training Section.
- Complete approved hemodialysis technician training. Finish a state-approved dialysis technician program. This is not a registered apprenticeship.
- Pass the required exam. Pass NNCC, BONENT, or the exam CDPH Healthcare Professional Certification and Training Section accepts. CMS also expects a national dialysis technician credential.
- Get listed or certified. Obtain CHT or the state equivalent where required. Confirm with CDPH Healthcare Professional Certification and Training Section.
Steps and hour totals vary by credential level; confirm current requirements with the state board before you apply.
Hemodialysis Technician License Requirements in California
Dialysis technicians in California complete approved training and a national exam. Some states certify this role; most do not. Confirm with CDPH Healthcare Professional Certification and Training Section when a state credential exists. See CDPH Healthcare Professional Certification and Training Section 3.
Typical path
Meet entry rules.
Complete approved hemodialysis technician training.
Pass NNCC, BONENT, or the state-accepted exam.
Obtain CHT or the state equivalent where required.
Hour totals, fees, and reciprocity rules change. Confirm current requirements with CDPH Healthcare Professional Certification and Training Section before you enroll.
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 ( 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 .
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 CDPH Healthcare Professional Certification and Training Section for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in California? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and state-approved training programs. Use the school finder above to search for 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.
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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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
CDPH Healthcare Professional Certification and Training Section - Licensing Information: https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CHCQ/LCP/Pages/cht.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) |