Phlebotomist Pay

Los Angeles vs Redwood City: Phlebotomist Salary (2026)

Compare phlebotomist salaries between Los Angeles, CA and Redwood City, CA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Los Angeles, CA
$55,317
$26.59/hr
Redwood City, CA
$54,742
$26.32/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricLos Angeles, CARedwood City, CA
Median Salary$55,317$54,742
Hourly Rate$26.59$26.32
Entry Level (P10)$47,533$44,591
25th Percentile$49,748$45,620
75th Percentile$65,599$59,575
Top Earner (P90)$75,390$71,120
Total Employed4,72013
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Los Angeles ($55,317) and Redwood City ($54,742) phlebotomist salaries.Los AngelesRedwood CityMedian Salary$55,317$54,742Entry Level (P10)$47,533$44,591Top Earner (P90)$75,390$71,120US Median $47,261

Verdict

Los Angeles, CA offers better overall compensation for phlebotomists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Redwood City.

The salary gap between Los Angeles and Redwood City is $575 (1.05%). Los Angeles's median is +17.05% compared to the US national median of $47,261.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Los Angeles spans $27,857,Redwood City spans $26,529. Los Angeles has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Los Angeles
P10 (Entry)$47,533
P25$49,748
Median$55,317
P75$65,599
P90 (Top)$75,390
Redwood City
P10 (Entry)$44,591
P25$45,620
Median$54,742
P75$59,575
P90 (Top)$71,120

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Los Angeles ($48,709 effective) pays 0.64% more than Redwood City ($48,401 effective).

Los Angeles
Nominal: $55,317
CoL Index: 113.566
Adjusted: $48,709
Redwood City
Nominal: $54,742
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $48,401

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Los Angeles if…

  • Higher median salary ($55,317/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($75,390)
  • Larger job market (4,720 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $48,709)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Choose Redwood City if…

  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, phlebotomist salaries in Los Angeles grew 30.1% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -8.9% growth in Redwood City over the same period.

Los Angeles, CA

+30.1%

$40,680 (2019) → $52,940 (2025)

Redwood City, CA

+-8.9%

$57,528 (2024) → $52,390 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays phlebotomists more: Los Angeles or Redwood City?

Los Angeles has a higher median phlebotomist salary at $55,317/year, compared to Redwood City at $54,742/year — a difference of $575 (1.05%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Los Angeles and Redwood City?

Los Angeles phlebotomists earn $26.59/hr while Redwood City hygienists earn $26.32/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Los Angeles to Redwood City as a phlebotomist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Los Angeles and Redwood City. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Los Angeles = $48,709, Redwood City = $48,401), job availability (4,720 vs 13 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level phlebotomists earn in Los Angeles vs Redwood City?

Entry-level (10th percentile) phlebotomists earn $47,533 in Los Angeles and $44,591 in Redwood City. The Los Angeles 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