Phlebotomist Pay

Los Angeles vs San Leandro: Phlebotomist Salary (2026)

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

Los Angeles, CA
$55,317
$26.59/hr
San Leandro, CA
$55,009
$26.45/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricLos Angeles, CASan Leandro, CA
Median Salary$55,317$55,009
Hourly Rate$26.59$26.45
Entry Level (P10)$47,533$45,231
25th Percentile$49,748$47,363
75th Percentile$65,599$58,107
Top Earner (P90)$75,390$74,036
Total Employed4,72023
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Los Angeles ($55,317) and San Leandro ($55,009) phlebotomist salaries.Los AngelesSan LeandroMedian Salary$55,317$55,009Entry Level (P10)$47,533$45,231Top Earner (P90)$75,390$74,036US Median $47,261

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Los Angeles and San Leandro is $308 (0.56%). 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,San Leandro spans $28,805. San Leandro has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced phlebotomists.

Los Angeles
P10 (Entry)$47,533
P25$49,748
Median$55,317
P75$65,599
P90 (Top)$75,390
San Leandro
P10 (Entry)$45,231
P25$47,363
Median$55,009
P75$58,107
P90 (Top)$74,036

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Los Angeles ($48,709 effective) pays 0.15% more than San Leandro ($48,637 effective).

Los Angeles
Nominal: $55,317
CoL Index: 113.566
Adjusted: $48,709
San Leandro
Nominal: $55,009
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $48,637

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 San Leandro 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 San Leandro over the same period.

Los Angeles, CA

+30.1%

$40,680 (2019) → $52,940 (2025)

San Leandro, CA

+-8.9%

$57,807 (2024) → $52,645 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays phlebotomists more: Los Angeles or San Leandro?

Los Angeles has a higher median phlebotomist salary at $55,317/year, compared to San Leandro at $55,009/year — a difference of $308 (0.56%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Los Angeles and San Leandro?

Los Angeles phlebotomists earn $26.59/hr while San Leandro hygienists earn $26.45/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Los Angeles to San Leandro as a phlebotomist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Los Angeles and San Leandro. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Los Angeles = $48,709, San Leandro = $48,637), job availability (4,720 vs 23 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level phlebotomists earn in Los Angeles vs San Leandro?

Entry-level (10th percentile) phlebotomists earn $47,533 in Los Angeles and $45,231 in San Leandro. 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