Phlebotomist Salary in Sacramento, CA: $54,920 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time phlebotomist in Sacramento, CA earns a median $54,920/year (≈ $26.40/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9097). Once you factor in Sacramento's price level (7% above national, BEA RPP 106.7), that paycheck buys what $51,486 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.9% below the California state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Sacramento, California, phlebotomists can expect a median annual salary of $54,920 according to projected estimates based on 2025 BLS OEWS data. This figure places Sacramento above the national median of $47,261, highlighting a notable 16.21% salary advantage. Salaries can vary widely in this occupation, with a range from $40,009 at the 10th percentile to $80,530 at the 90th percentile. The variation in pay often reflects the specific type of employment, as phlebotomy roles in plasma donation centers typically offer higher compensation compared to positions within hospitals or outpatient labs. This competitive environment indicates a robust demand for skilled phlebotomists in the local market, fueled by the industry’s ongoing evolution and growth.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $40,009 | $19.24 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $48,128 | $23.13 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $54,920 | $26.40 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $65,620 | $31.55 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $80,530 | $38.72 |
Median Salary Position
16.21% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Sacramento
In Sacramento, CA, the phlebotomist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $40,521 (2026 est.). At $54,920, the local median is 16.21% above the national median of $47,261.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Sacramento: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Sacramento Phlebotomist Pay Compares
Sacramento median: $54,920/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Sacramento Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $55,984 | -1.90% less |
| National Average | $47,261 | +16.21% more |
Phlebotomists in Sacramento, CA earn a median of $54,920 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.21% higher than the national median of $47,261 and 1.90% below the California state average of $55,984.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Sacramento has a cost of living 6.67% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Sacramento, CA has a cost-of-living index of 106.67 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $54,920 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $51,486 — a 6.25% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$49,130
2025 BLS Actual
$52,560
2026 Current Est.
$54,920
2019–2027 Growth
+16.8%
Salary Trajectory for Phlebotomists in Sacramento (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.49% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $49,130 | Actual |
| 2020 | $46,070 | Actual |
| 2021 | $47,250 | Actual |
| 2022 | $48,990 | Actual |
| 2023 | $48,210 | Actual |
| 2024 | $52,310 | Actual |
| 2025 | $52,560 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $54,920 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $57,386 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Sacramento metropolitan area, the median phlebotomist salary grew 7.0% from $49,130 (2019) to $52,560 (2025). At a 4.49% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $57,386 by 2027 — a total increase of $8,256 (16.80%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Sacramento metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 4.49% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $40,009 – $48,128 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $48,128 – $54,920 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $54,920 – $65,620 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $65,620 – $80,530 |
PBT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual phlebotomist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Phlebotomist Job Market in Sacramento
The job market in Sacramento has approximately 790 phlebotomists currently employed, reflecting a healthy demand in the healthcare sector. However, the cost-of-living index in the area stands at 106.67, which means that while salaries are higher than the national average, the purchasing power may be impacted by living expenses. Employers that tend to offer the highest wages include plasma donation centers like Grifols and CSL Plasma, often compensating at rates of $20-$25 per hour for entry-level positions. In contrast, hospitals and outpatient labs typically pay less, though factors such as shift differentials for early draws and specialty areas like pediatrics can influence pay rates significantly. To maximize earning potential in Sacramento, phlebotomists should consider obtaining additional certifications and gaining experience in high-demand settings, as well as staying updated with California's licensure requirements.
More salary data for Sacramento, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $52,560 for phlebotomistsin the Sacramento metropolitan area. A 4.49% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.49%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for phlebotomists (SOC 31-9097).
Compiled and verified by Aisha Patel, MLT, a licensed phlebotomist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov