Phlebotomist Pay

Sacramento vs Upland: Phlebotomist Salary (2026)

Compare phlebotomist salaries between Sacramento, CA and Upland, CA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Sacramento, CA
$54,920
$26.40/hr
Upland, CA
$54,122
$26.02/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricSacramento, CAUpland, CA
Median Salary$54,920$54,122
Hourly Rate$26.40$26.02
Entry Level (P10)$40,009$42,949
25th Percentile$48,128$45,560
75th Percentile$65,620$59,336
Top Earner (P90)$80,530$71,249
Total Employed79018
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Sacramento ($54,920) and Upland ($54,122) phlebotomist salaries.SacramentoUplandMedian Salary$54,920$54,122Entry Level (P10)$40,009$42,949Top Earner (P90)$80,530$71,249US Median $47,261

Verdict

Sacramento, CA offers better overall compensation for phlebotomists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Upland.

The salary gap between Sacramento and Upland is $798 (1.47%). Sacramento's median is +16.21% compared to the US national median of $47,261.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Sacramento spans $40,521,Upland spans $28,300. Sacramento has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Sacramento
P10 (Entry)$40,009
P25$48,128
Median$54,920
P75$65,620
P90 (Top)$80,530
Upland
P10 (Entry)$42,949
P25$45,560
Median$54,122
P75$59,336
P90 (Top)$71,249

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Sacramento ($51,486 effective) pays 7.59% more than Upland ($47,853 effective).

Sacramento
Nominal: $54,920
CoL Index: 106.67
Adjusted: $51,486
Upland
Nominal: $54,122
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $47,853

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Sacramento if…

  • Higher median salary ($54,920/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($80,530)
  • Larger job market (790 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $51,486)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Choose Upland if…

  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, phlebotomist salaries in Sacramento grew 7.0% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -8.9% growth in Upland over the same period.

Sacramento, CA

+7.0%

$49,130 (2019) → $52,560 (2025)

Upland, CA

+-8.9%

$56,875 (2024) → $51,796 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays phlebotomists more: Sacramento or Upland?

Sacramento has a higher median phlebotomist salary at $54,920/year, compared to Upland at $54,122/year — a difference of $798 (1.47%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Sacramento and Upland?

Sacramento phlebotomists earn $26.40/hr while Upland hygienists earn $26.02/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Sacramento to Upland as a phlebotomist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Sacramento and Upland. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Sacramento = $51,486, Upland = $47,853), job availability (790 vs 18 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level phlebotomists earn in Sacramento vs Upland?

Entry-level (10th percentile) phlebotomists earn $40,009 in Sacramento and $42,949 in Upland. The Upland 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