Phlebotomist Salary in Long Beach, CA: $55,501 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time phlebotomist in Long Beach, CA earns a median $55,501/year (≈ $26.69/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9097). Once you factor in Long Beach's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $49,073 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.8% below the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, phlebotomists in Long Beach, California, can expect to earn a median annual salary of $55,501, which reflects a significant premium over the national figure of $47,261. The salary range for this profession within the city varies widely, from $40,173 at the lower end to $77,529 for the top 10% of earners. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost considerations, highlight a flourishing job market for phlebotomists in Long Beach. Given California's requirement for Certified Phlebotomy Technician licensure, the local pay scales reflect the higher expectations for skilled professionals in this field, especially in a region where healthcare services, such as plasma donation centers and hospitals, continue to expand.
About the Long Beach Market
Salary estimated from California average ($52,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $40,173 | $19.31 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $47,316 | $22.75 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $55,501 | $26.69 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $63,000 | $30.29 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $77,529 | $37.27 |
Median Salary Position
17.44% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Long Beach
In Long Beach, CA, the phlebotomist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $37,356 (2026 est.). At $55,501, the local median is 17.44% above the national median of $47,261.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Long Beach: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Long Beach Phlebotomist Pay Compares
Long Beach median: $55,501/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Long Beach Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $55,948 | -0.80% less |
| National Average | $47,261 | +17.44% more |
Phlebotomists in Long Beach, CA earn a median of $55,501 per year (2026 est.), which is 17.44% higher than the national median of $47,261 and 0.80% below the California state average of $55,948.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Long Beach has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Long Beach, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $55,501 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $49,073 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$41,701
2025 BLS Actual
$53,116
2026 Current Est.
$55,501
2019–2027 Growth
+39.1%
Salary Trajectory for Phlebotomists in Long Beach (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.49% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $41,701 | Actual |
| 2020 | $42,653 | Actual |
| 2021 | $43,897 | Actual |
| 2022 | $45,248 | Actual |
| 2023 | $49,100 | Actual |
| 2024 | $61,958 | Actual |
| 2025 | $53,116 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $55,501 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $57,993 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Long Beach metropolitan area, the median phlebotomist salary grew 27.4% from $41,701 (2019) to $53,116 (2025). At a 4.49% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $57,993 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,292 (39.07%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Long Beach 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) | $40,173 – $47,316 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $47,316 – $55,501 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $55,501 – $63,000 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $63,000 – $77,529 |
PBT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual phlebotomist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Phlebotomist Job Market in Long Beach
The job market for phlebotomists in Long Beach comprises around 89 professionals, which illustrates a competitive landscape in this healthcare niche. The cost of living index in the area is 113.1, meaning that while salaries are higher than national averages, the expenses for housing and everyday life are also elevated, impacting purchasing power. Employers in the region vary in pay rates; plasma donation centers often offer higher starting wages, between $20-$25/hr, exceeding typical hospital positions. The disparity in wages can also stem from work settings and specializations, with plasma donation roles paying more than typical outpatient lab services. To maximize earnings, aspiring phlebotomists should consider positions in these higher-paying environments and leverage their California licensure while also seeking opportunities for shift differentials or specialized training that may be needed for high-demand roles, such as pediatric phlebotomy.
More salary data for Long Beach, 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 $53,116 for phlebotomistsin the Long Beach 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
Salary data for Long Beach is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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