Phlebotomist Salary in Chico, CA: $61,754 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time phlebotomist in Chico, CA earns a median $61,754/year (≈ $29.70/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9097). Once you factor in Chico's price level (1% above national, BEA RPP 101.2), that paycheck buys what $61,024 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 10.3% above the California state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Phlebotomists in Chico, California, can expect a median annual salary of $61,754 in 2026, which reflects a significant premium over the national median of $47,261. The salary range varies widely, with the 10th percentile at $49,497 and the 90th percentile reaching $64,387. This data, gathered from the 2025 BLS OEWS surveys and projected to 2026, highlights the heightened compensation for phlebotomists in this region, driven partly by demand for specialized skills and the location's cost of living. Additionally, shift differentials, particularly for early morning hospital draws, enable phlebotomists to boost their earnings beyond the base salary, indicating a robust local job market for this essential healthcare position.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $49,497 | $23.80 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $53,645 | $25.79 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $61,754 | $29.70 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $61,785 | $29.71 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $64,387 | $30.96 |
Median Salary Position
30.67% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Chico
In Chico, CA, the phlebotomist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $14,890 (2026 est.). At $61,754, the local median is 30.67% above the national median of $47,261.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Chico: You'd be in the upper quartile
How Chico Phlebotomist Pay Compares
Chico median: $61,754/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Chico Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $55,987 | +10.30% more |
| National Average | $47,261 | +30.67% more |
Phlebotomists in Chico, CA earn a median of $61,754 per year (2026 est.), which is 30.67% higher than the national median of $47,261 and 10.30% above the California state average of $55,987.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Chico has a cost of living 1.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Chico, CA has a cost-of-living index of 101.197 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $61,754 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $61,024 — a 1.18% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$43,250
2025 BLS Actual
$59,100
2026 Current Est.
$61,754
2019–2027 Growth
+49.2%
Salary Trajectory for Phlebotomists in Chico (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.49% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $43,250 | Actual |
| 2020 | $45,110 | Actual |
| 2021 | $44,480 | Actual |
| 2022 | $46,040 | Actual |
| 2023 | $47,280 | Actual |
| 2024 | $52,060 | Actual |
| 2025 | $59,100 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $61,754 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $64,526 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Chico metropolitan area, the median phlebotomist salary grew 36.6% from $43,250 (2019) to $59,100 (2025). At a 4.49% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $64,526 by 2027 — a total increase of $21,276 (49.19%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Chico metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 4.49% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $49,497 – $53,645 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $53,645 – $61,754 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $61,754 – $61,785 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $61,785 – $64,387 |
PBT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual phlebotomist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Phlebotomist Job Market in Chico
With around 100 phlebotomists currently employed in Chico, the job market remains competitive, especially as the cost of living index sits slightly above the national average at 101.197. This situation emphasizes the importance of take-home pay and the need for phlebotomists to pursue roles in higher-paying environments, such as plasma donation centers, which often start at $20-$25 an hour, surpassing traditional hospital pay. Various factors influence salary variation, including the work setting, with plasma donation centers likely offering the most lucrative pay due to their aggressive hiring practices. Phlebotomists seeking to maximize their pay in Chico should consider obtaining advanced certifications through organizations like ASCP or AMT, specializing in pediatric phlebotomy, or exploring contract work through mobile phlebotomy services that can provide lucrative hourly wages reflective of their expertise.
More salary data for Chico, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $59,100 for phlebotomistsin the Chico metropolitan area. A 4.49% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.49%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for phlebotomists (SOC 31-9097).
Compiled and verified by Aisha Patel, MLT, a licensed phlebotomist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov