How to Become A Phlebotomy Technician in California
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 certification options, training programs, and salary data.
Quick Answers About Becoming A Phlebotomy Technician in California
How do I become a phlebotomy technician in California? California requires credentials such as Limited Phlebotomy Technician Certification, Certified Phlebotomy Technician I (CPT I) Certificate, Certified Phlebotomy Technician II (CPT II) Certificate. 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? The primary license requires approximately 20 hours of experience (roughly 0.0 years of full-time work) 3.
Do I need a license in California? Yes. California has licensing or registration requirements for phlebotomy technicians. The Department of Public Health - Aide and Technician Certification Section oversees licensing 3. See the licensing section below for details.
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.
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): $56,040 per year 1
Phlebotomy Technician License Requirements in California
The Department of Public Health - Aide and Technician Certification Section oversees phlebotomy technician licensing in California 3.
License Types
| License | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Limited Phlebotomy Technician Certification | Fees: Fees are subject to change with each fiscal year. Refer to the LFS General Fee Information Page for a full list of fees associated with licensing. |
| Certified Phlebotomy Technician I (CPT I) Certificate | Fees: Fees are subject to change with each fiscal year. Refer to the LFS General Fee Information Page for a full list of fees associated with licensing. |
| Certified Phlebotomy Technician II (CPT II) Certificate | Fees: Fees are subject to change with each fiscal year. Refer to the LFS General Fee Information Page for a full list of fees associated with licensing. |
License information sourced from CareerOneStop 4.
Phlebotomy Technician Wages by Metro Area in California
Phlebotomists Wages by Metro Area in California
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 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 2025.
Top Metros for Phlebotomy technicians in California
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest phlebotomy 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 | 4,720 | $52,940 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont | 1,410 | $58,900 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario | 1,400 | $51,490 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad | 1,300 | $58,170 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom | 790 | $52,560 |
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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 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 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.
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) |