Phlebotomist Salary in San Diego, CA
Phlebotomists in the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA metro area earn a median $58,170 a year — 29% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $46,624 take-home, or $3,885 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median phlebotomist salary in San Diego, CA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$4,800
- Social Security (6.2%)$3,607
- Medicare (1.45%)$843
- California income tax$1,540
- CA State Disability Insurance (SDI)$756
- Take-home pay$46,624
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 6.00% state
Phlebotomist pay by experience in San Diego, CA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $43,730 | $21.02 | $36,010 | $3,001 |
| 25th percentile | $48,570 | $23.35 | $39,611 | $3,301 |
| Median (50th) | $58,170 | $27.97 | $46,624 | $3,885 |
| 75th percentile | $66,560 | $32.00 | $52,677 | $4,390 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $75,360 | $36.23 | $58,049 | $4,837 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, California resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $58,170 buys in San Diego, CA
Prices in San Diego, CA are 11.9% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.79× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median phlebotomist's $46,624 take-home pay has the buying power of $41,670 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 San Diego, CA as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.92).
Best-paying cities for phlebotomists, adjusted for cost of living
San Diego, CA ranks #1 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 |
*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 Francisco, CA — $58,900
- Sacramento, CA — $52,560
- Fresno, CA — $49,570
- Riverside, CA — $51,490
- Los Angeles, CA — $52,940
Frequently asked questions
How much does a phlebotomist make in San Diego, CA?
The median phlebotomist salary in the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA metro area is $58,170 a year, or about $27.97 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $48,570 and $66,560.
What is a phlebotomist’s take-home pay in San Diego, CA?
On the median $58,170 salary, a single filer living in California takes home about $46,624 a year ($3,885 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $2,296 in California taxes in 2026.
Is San Diego, CA a good place to work as a phlebotomist?
Pay here is 29% above the national median of $45,230. Local prices are 11.9% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $41,670 would in a typical U.S. city. San Diego, CA ranks #1 of 66 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a phlebotomist afford rent in San Diego, CA?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in San Diego, CA is $2,459 a month ($3,001 for two bedrooms) — 63% of a median phlebotomist’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in San Diego, CA
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- Medical Equipment Preparer — $67,830
- Dental Assistant — $58,120
- Healthcare Support Workers, All Other — $57,740
- Medical Assistant — $49,420
- Nursing Assistant — $48,070
- Veterinary Assistant and Laboratory Animal Caretaker — $46,720
- Medical Transcriptionist — $45,420
- Massage Therapist — $45,200
- Pharmacy Aide — $44,810
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- Home Health and Personal Care Aide — $35,300