How to Become a Phlebotomy Technician in California (2026)
California employs about 13,520 phlebotomy technicians earning a median $56,040 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Training as a Phlebotomy Technician here means completing an approved phlebotomy program, a national exam, and state certification where required, then applying through CDPH Laboratory Field Services.
Compare Phlebotomy Technician Schools in California
| # | School | BOC Score (0–100) | Tuition | Median grad earnings (all majors) | Graduation rate | Online | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | De Anza College | 80.8 | Contact school for pricing | $60,322 | 68% | Yes* | 192 mi |
| 2 | Healthcare Career College | 72.7 | Contact school for pricing | $37,765 | Not reported | Yes* | 132 mi |
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| 3 | Saddleback College | 71.2 | $1,156 - $13,939 | $46,604 | 46% | Yes* | 168 mi |
| 4 | Universal Healthcare Careers College | 58.7 | Contact school for pricing | $30,189 | 90% | — | 119 mi |
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| 5 | Central Coast College | 56.8 | Contact school for pricing | $42,710 | 75% | — | 148 mi |
| 6 | Institute for Business and Technology | 55.4 | Contact school for pricing | $49,241 | 81% | — | 191 mi |
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| 7 | Cuesta College | 55.2 | Contact school for pricing | $57,231 | 46% | Yes* | 83 mi |
| 8 | Agape College of Business and Science | 52.2 | Contact school for pricing | Not reported | 83% | — | 92 mi |
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| 9 | Cabrillo College | 51.4 | Contact school for pricing | $54,586 | 38% | Yes* | 172 mi |
| 10 | Long Beach City College | 43.6 | Contact school for pricing | $51,407 | 28% | — | 133 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.
California employs approximately 13,520 phlebotomy technicians according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $56,040 1. Nationally, phlebotomy technician employment is projected to grow 5.6% from 2024 to 2034, with about 18,400 openings per year 2. This page covers how to become a Phlebotomy Technician in California, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.
At a Glance
- Training paths: approved phlebotomy program (find programs)
- Typical timeline: an approved phlebotomy program, a national exam, and state certification where required
- Licensing authority: CDPH Laboratory Field Services
- Exam: NHA CPT, ASCP PBT, or the exam the state accepts
- Median wage (California): $56,040 per year 1
Quick Answers About How to Become a Phlebotomy Technician in California
How to become a Phlebotomy Technician in California? Complete an approved phlebotomy program, a national exam, and state certification where required. Apply through CDPH Laboratory Field Services.
How long does it take? Most people finish an approved phlebotomy program, a national exam, and state certification where required. Confirm current hour totals with the program and CDPH Laboratory Field Services.
Do I need a license in California? Yes. California credentials this role through CDPH Laboratory Field Services 3. See the licensing section below.
What do phlebotomy technicians earn in California? The median annual wage for phlebotomy technicians in California is $56,040 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $45,490 and experienced professionals can earn $74,340 or more 1.
How to Become a Phlebotomy Technician in California
- Meet entry rules. Programs typically require a high school diploma or GED. Confirm rules with the program.
- Complete an approved phlebotomy program. Finish a phlebotomy program in California. This is not a registered apprenticeship.
- Pass a national exam the state accepts. Most states use NHA CPT, ASCP PBT, AMT RPT, or NCCT. Confirm which exam CDPH Laboratory Field Services accepts where the state certifies phlebotomists.
- Apply for state certification where required. Apply for state certification where required. Confirm with CDPH Laboratory Field Services.
Steps and hour totals vary by credential level; confirm current requirements with the state board before you apply.
Phlebotomy Technician License Requirements in California
Most states do not license phlebotomists separately; employers want a national exam. Some states certify this role; most do not. Confirm with CDPH Laboratory Field Services when a state credential exists. See CDPH Laboratory Field Services 3.
Typical path
Complete an approved phlebotomy program.
Pass a national exam the state accepts.
Apply to CDPH Laboratory Field Services when the state certifies phlebotomists.
Hour totals, fees, and reciprocity rules change. Confirm current requirements with CDPH Laboratory Field Services before you enroll.
Phlebotomy Technician Wages by Metro Area in California
Phlebotomists Wages by Metro Area in California
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), phlebotomists 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 | 4,720 | $52,940 | $55,550 | $45,490 | $72,150 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont | 1,410 | $58,900 | $61,020 | $45,610 | $77,910 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario | 1,400 | $51,490 | $54,550 | $45,770 | $71,920 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad | 1,300 | $58,170 | $57,450 | $43,730 | $75,360 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom | 790 | $52,560 | $55,560 | $38,290 | $77,070 |
| Fresno | 440 | $49,570 | $52,270 | $44,220 | $62,200 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara | 350 | $60,600 | $69,000 | $54,350 | $94,720 |
| Bakersfield-Delano | 240 | $47,200 | $52,590 | $44,430 | $65,270 |
| Modesto | 190 | $51,960 | $56,700 | $47,660 | $74,330 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura | 190 | $55,740 | $57,110 | $46,140 | $73,480 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara | 190 | $60,290 | $59,700 | $51,660 | $74,070 |
| Stockton-Lodi | 180 | $50,770 | $56,010 | $46,490 | $76,570 |
| Vallejo | 140 | $59,920 | $62,950 | $48,100 | $77,230 |
| El Centro | 110 | $46,910 | $50,270 | $43,960 | $61,050 |
| Salinas | 110 | $52,940 | $55,510 | $47,170 | $70,250 |
| Visalia | 110 | $49,390 | $51,320 | $45,400 | $61,140 |
| Chico | 100 | $59,100 | $56,500 | $47,370 | $61,620 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles | 100 | $53,560 | $55,060 | $47,190 | $64,420 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma | 100 | $62,350 | $62,300 | $48,820 | $79,380 |
| Merced | 90 | $51,180 | $55,330 | $45,020 | $72,160 |
| Redding | 90 | $59,320 | $60,820 | $44,560 | $78,050 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville | 50 | $59,800 | $64,040 | $47,670 | $95,820 |
| Napa | 30 | $59,840 | $60,880 | $49,670 | $78,760 |
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 phlebotomy technicians in California? California currently employs approximately 13,520 phlebotomy technicians 1. Nationally, phlebotomy technician employment is projected to grow 5.6% from 2024 to 2034 2.
Can I work as a phlebotomy technician in California with an out-of-state license? Contact the CDPH Laboratory Field Services 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 phlebotomy technicians earn in California compared to the national average? The median annual wage for phlebotomy technicians in California is $56,040, which is $12,380 above the national median of $43,660 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 Laboratory Field Services - Licensing Information: https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/OSPHLD/LFS/ ↩︎ ↩︎
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) |