Phlebotomist Pay

Fontana vs San Francisco: Phlebotomist Salary (2026)

Compare phlebotomist salaries between Fontana, CA and San Francisco, CA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Fontana, CA
$58,200
$27.98/hr
San Francisco, CA
$61,545
$29.59/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricFontana, CASan Francisco, CA
Median Salary$58,200$61,545
Hourly Rate$27.98$29.59
Entry Level (P10)$42,631$47,658
25th Percentile$46,640$54,335
75th Percentile$64,175$73,122
Top Earner (P90)$78,151$81,408
Total Employed321,410
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Fontana ($58,200) and San Francisco ($61,545) phlebotomist salaries.FontanaSan FranciscoMedian Salary$58,200$61,545Entry Level (P10)$42,631$47,658Top Earner (P90)$78,151$81,408US Median $47,261

Verdict

San Francisco, CA offers better overall compensation for phlebotomists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Fontana.

The salary gap between Fontana and San Francisco is $3,345 (5.75%). San Francisco's median is +30.22% compared to the US national median of $47,261.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Fontana spans $35,520,San Francisco spans $33,750. Fontana has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Fontana
P10 (Entry)$42,631
P25$46,640
Median$58,200
P75$64,175
P90 (Top)$78,151
San Francisco
P10 (Entry)$47,658
P25$54,335
Median$61,545
P75$73,122
P90 (Top)$81,408

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, San Francisco ($53,234 effective) pays 3.45% more than Fontana ($51,459 effective).

Fontana
Nominal: $58,200
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $51,459
San Francisco
Nominal: $61,545
CoL Index: 115.613
Adjusted: $53,234

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Fontana if…

  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Choose San Francisco if…

  • Higher median salary ($61,545/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($81,408)
  • Larger job market (1,410 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $53,234)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, phlebotomist salaries in Fontana grew -8.9% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 9.3% growth in San Francisco over the same period.

Fontana, CA

+-8.9%

$61,160 (2024) → $55,699 (2025)

San Francisco, CA

+9.3%

$53,910 (2019) → $58,900 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays phlebotomists more: Fontana or San Francisco?

San Francisco has a higher median phlebotomist salary at $61,545/year, compared to Fontana at $58,200/year — a difference of $3,345 (5.75%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Fontana and San Francisco?

Fontana phlebotomists earn $27.98/hr while San Francisco hygienists earn $29.59/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Fontana to San Francisco as a phlebotomist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Fontana and San Francisco. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Fontana = $51,459, San Francisco = $53,234), job availability (32 vs 1,410 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level phlebotomists earn in Fontana vs San Francisco?

Entry-level (10th percentile) phlebotomists earn $42,631 in Fontana and $47,658 in San Francisco. The San Francisco area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

AP

Written by Aisha Patel, MLT

Career Analyst

Aisha has over 10 years of experience in clinical laboratory technology. She specializes in blood collection and processing. She works in a large urban hospital.

Clinically reviewed by Jamal Thompson, PBT(ASCP)Data verified by Maria Garcia, CPT

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 4.49% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Aisha Patel, MLT, a licensed phlebotomist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov