How to become a Phlebotomist in California
Phlebotomists in California will typically have earned either a two-year associate degree or a shorter-term certificate program. Certificate programs can usually be completed in less than a year.
Below you will find information on all the top phlebotomy schools in California, as well as certification requirements and salary and employment prospects.
Approved Phlebotomy Schools in California
Accreditation confirms that a school provides a high level of quality education to ensure that students are well prepared for certification and entry into the healthcare field as a phlebotomist.
Listed below are some of the top accredited schools in California offering certificates or diplomas in phlebotomy.
| School | Metro Area | Accreditation | Learn More |
|---|---|---|---|
| Contra Costa Medical Career College | Antioch | ACCET | Program Details |
| California Institute of Medical Science | Carson | NAACLS | Program Details |
| Regan Career Institute | Carson | ABHES | Program Details |
| Regan Career Institute | El Monte | ABHES | Program Details |
| Agape College of Business and Science | Fresno | ABHES | Program Details |
| High Desert Medical College | Lancaster | ACCET | Program Details |
| Galaxy Medical College | North Hollywood | ABHES | Program Details |
| Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts | Orange | ABHES | Program Details |
| American Harbor College | Orange | ABHES | Program Details |
| Medical Career College of Northern California | Roseville | ABHES | Program Details |
| Sacramento Ultrasound Institute | Sacramento | ABHES | Program Details |
| Central Coast College | Salinas | ACCET | Program Details |
| Pima Medical Institute | San Marcos | ABHES | Program Details |
| Institute for Business and Technology | Santa Clara | ACCET | Program Details |
You can also use the map below to view information on phlebotomy schools near you in Sacramento, Los Angeles and San Diego. Click on each map icon for more information.
Phlebotomy Certification in California
Certification and/or licensing is a requirement to work as a phlebotomist in California. However, most employers will prefer candidates who have obtained certification.
In order to become certified, you will need to successfully pass exams set by one of the nationally recognised certifying agencies for phlebotomy.
A certificate or diploma from an approved school or an appropriate level of work experience is typically a prerequisite to taking these exams.
If you have any further questions about certification or licensing for phlebotomists in California, you can contact;
State Board: California Department of Public Health
Website: cdph.ca.gov
Phone: (916) 558-1784
Phlebotomist Salary in California
| Salary | $47,230 |
| Hourly Wage | $22.71 |
| Employed | 12,590 |
| Top 10% | $64,110 |
| Bottom 10% | $34,390 |
The average salary for phlebotomists in California is $47,230 per annum. This is 27% greater than the national average, according to the data published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) in 2021.
This equals an average hourly pay of $22.71.
The average salary for phlebotomists in California has grown by 14%, or $5,870, since 2016.
Top Earners
- The top 10% of those working as phlebotomists in California earn an average annual income of $64,110 whilst the bottom 10%, or entry-level phlebotomists, make just $34,390 per annum
- Those working in Redding earn the highest average salaries as phlebotomists in the state at $52,770per annum. Those working in El Centro earn the lowest average salaries at $37,750 per annum.
| Metro Area | Salary | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Bakersfield | $46,380 | 300 |
| Chico | $45,980 | 70 |
| El Centro | $37,750 | 70 |
| Fresno | $43,560 | 190 |
| Hanford-Corcoran | $48,400 | - |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim | $44,620 | 4,700 |
| Madera | $40,160 | 30 |
| Merced | $47,110 | 70 |
| Modesto | $45,890 | 190 |
| Napa | $46,780 | 60 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura | $46,730 | - |
| Redding | $52,770 | 80 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario | $46,380 | 1,430 |
| Sacramento--Roseville--Arden-Arcade | $47,790 | 510 |
| Salinas | $43,420 | 40 |
| San Diego-Carlsbad | $51,920 | 1,260 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward | $50,250 | 1,220 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara | $50,710 | 760 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles-Arroyo Grande | $45,140 | - |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville | $51,070 | 60 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara | $50,580 | 210 |
| Santa Rosa | $51,620 | 140 |
| Stockton-Lodi | $48,270 | 150 |
| Vallejo-Fairfield | $50,650 | 340 |
| Yuba City | $47,860 | 50 |
Employment
There are currently 12,590 people employed as phlebotomists in California (2021). The employment of phlebotomists in California increased by just 20 jobs, since 2016.
The highest number of those working as phlebotomists in California is based in the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim areas.
Outlook for Phlebotomists in California
Average salaries for phlebotomists in California have increased by 14% since 2016 whilst the number of phlebotomist jobs in California has experienced very little growth over the same period.
Going forward the Bureau for Labor Statistics (BLS) projects employment growth of 22% nationwide between 2020 and 2030. This is much faster than the average for all other professions.