Phlebotomist Salary in Riverside, CA
Phlebotomists in the Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA metro area earn a median $51,490 a year — 14% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $41,744 take-home, or $3,479 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median phlebotomist salary in Riverside, CA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$3,999
- Social Security (6.2%)$3,192
- Medicare (1.45%)$747
- California income tax$1,139
- CA State Disability Insurance (SDI)$669
- Take-home pay$41,744
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 6.00% state
Phlebotomist pay by experience in Riverside, CA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $45,770 | $22.00 | $37,541 | $3,128 |
| 25th percentile | $47,200 | $22.69 | $38,610 | $3,218 |
| Median (50th) | $51,490 | $24.75 | $41,744 | $3,479 |
| 75th percentile | $61,410 | $29.52 | $48,991 | $4,083 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $71,920 | $34.58 | $55,949 | $4,662 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, California resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $51,490 buys in Riverside, CA
Prices in Riverside, CA are 6.4% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.29× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median phlebotomist's $41,744 take-home pay has the buying power of $39,218 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Phlebotomist jobs are about as common in Riverside, CA as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.88).
Best-paying cities for phlebotomists, adjusted for cost of living
Riverside, CA ranks #16 of 66 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Diego, CA | $58,170 | $46,624 | $41,670 |
| 2 | Kansas City, MO | $46,110 | $38,000 | $41,062 |
| 3 | San Francisco, CA | $58,900 | $47,157 | $40,789 |
| 4 | Oklahoma City, OK | $44,890 | $36,775 | $40,676 |
| 5 | Madison, WI | $47,740 | $39,220 | $40,313 |
| 6 | Winston, NC | $44,980 | $37,035 | $40,237 |
| 7 | Atlanta, GA | $49,370 | $39,909 | $39,886 |
| 8 | Milwaukee, WI | $47,000 | $38,658 | $39,879 |
| 16 | Riverside, CA | $51,490 | $41,744 | $39,218 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 66 metros →
Phlebotomist salaries elsewhere in California
- San Diego, CA — $58,170
- San Francisco, CA — $58,900
- Sacramento, CA — $52,560
- Fresno, CA — $49,570
- Los Angeles, CA — $52,940
Frequently asked questions
How much does a phlebotomist make in Riverside, CA?
The median phlebotomist salary in the Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA metro area is $51,490 a year, or about $24.75 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $47,200 and $61,410.
What is a phlebotomist’s take-home pay in Riverside, CA?
On the median $51,490 salary, a single filer living in California takes home about $41,744 a year ($3,479 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,808 in California taxes in 2026.
Is Riverside, CA a good place to work as a phlebotomist?
Pay here is 14% above the national median of $45,230. Local prices are 6.4% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $39,218 would in a typical U.S. city. Riverside, CA ranks #16 of 66 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a phlebotomist afford rent in Riverside, CA?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Riverside, CA is $1,777 a month ($2,201 for two bedrooms) — 51% of a median phlebotomist’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Riverside, CA
- Physical Therapist Assistant — $79,210
- Medical Equipment Preparer — $59,560
- Healthcare Support Workers, All Other — $56,660
- Dental Assistant — $48,500
- Orderly — $47,440
- Medical Assistant — $46,700
- Nursing Assistant — $46,430
- Veterinary Assistant and Laboratory Animal Caretaker — $44,810
- Massage Therapist — $44,760
- Medical Transcriptionist — $42,990
- Pharmacy Aide — $41,600
- Physical Therapist Aide — $38,440