CA · La Mesa · Updated October 15, 2026

Phlebotomist jobs in La Mesa, CA

Pay for phlebotomists in the La Mesa area centers on $25.75 per hour, or about $53,570 a year. The lower quarter earns under $22.38 and the upper quarter over $29.03. The CMS hospital directory lists 2 hospitals in La Mesa. That ranks 10th of 310 U.S. metro areas for phlebotomist pay, and 36th of 283 once local prices are factored in. The free report below lists employers near La Mesa and what they pay.

Open Phlebotomist roles near La Mesa

Roles in other cities of the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad area.

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Named employers near La Mesa, what they pay and the roles open now. Free for candidates, email only.

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Phlebotomist pay in La Mesa, CA

The metro median is 3% below the California statewide median of $26.66 per hour. Nationally the median is $20.99 per hour. BLS counts about 1,520 phlebotomists employed in the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad metro area, 1.0 per 1,000 jobs. Employment is more concentrated here than in the country as a whole (location quotient 1.10).

LevelPer hourPer yearCompared with U.S.
Lowest 10%$20.43$42,4903% below U.S. median
Lower quartile$22.38$46,5507% above U.S. median
Median$25.75$53,57023% above U.S. median
Upper quartile$29.03$60,38038% above U.S. median
Top 10%$34.59$71,95065% above U.S. median

How La Mesa ranks

  • 10th of 310 U.S. metro areas by median hourly pay
  • 36th of 283 after adjusting for local prices
  • 10th of 21 California metro areas

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024, Phlebotomists (SOC 31-9097), all industries. This is what employers report paying, not an offer for a specific role.

What your pay buys in La Mesa

  • Overall prices in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad run 12% above the U.S. average (index 111.9, U.S. = 100).
  • Housing is the biggest driver: 79% above the U.S. average (index 179.3).
  • Adjusted for local prices, a $25.75 median hour buys what $23.01 buys at the national price level, 10% above the national median.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024. Prices are for the metro area, not for a single neighborhood.

Estimate your La Mesa paycheck

Estimated weekly gross$927
  • Per year: $46,350
  • Per month: $3,862

Gross pay before taxes and benefits, from BLS pay levels for the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad metro area. For take-home pay use the take-home pay calculator.

Travel assignment per diem in La Mesa

ItemFederal rate
Lodging per night$205
Meals and incidentals per day$86
Per week (7 nights, 7 days)$2,037
13-week assignment$26,481

Travel phlebotomist assignments commonly pay housing and meals stipends. The GSA per diem is the federal benchmark for what those stipends can be tax-free. Whether a stipend is tax-free for you depends on keeping a valid tax home, so confirm with your recruiter and a tax professional. Compare with your offer in the travel pay calculator.

Source: U.S. General Services Administration per diem rates, fiscal year 2026 (average across months).

Hospitals in La Mesa

CMS lists 2 hospitals in La Mesa, 1 of the 1 rated ones with 4 or 5 stars. Hospitals are a major employer of phlebotomists.

HospitalTypeOwnershipCMS ratingEmergency
Grossmont Hospital
La Mesa, CA
Acute careGovernment and federal4 of 5Yes
Alvarado Parkway Institute Behavioral Health Syste
La Mesa, CA
PsychiatricNonprofitNot ratedNo

Source: CMS Hospital General Information, public data. A directory of hospitals, not a list of our clients.

Phlebotomist pay in nearby cities

CityDistanceMedian payPopulation
El Cajon, CA4 mi$25.75/hr103,291
Santee, CA6 mi$25.75/hr59,104
Temecula, CA50 mi$24.28/hr112,431

Phlebotomist jobs in California · Phlebotomist jobs nationwide

License and tax basics in California

Phlebotomy certification where the employer or state requires it. Credentials are issued state by state, so confirm what California requires for your role with the California licensing board and with your recruiter before you commit to a start date.

California taxes wage income. Use your own rates in the take-home pay calculator.

California state guide

Other healthcare roles in La Mesa

La Mesa city guide: hospitals, employers and licensing

Common questions

How much do phlebotomists make in La Mesa, CA?

Phlebotomists in the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad metro area have a median pay of $25.75 per hour, about $53,570 a year. The middle half earn between $22.38 and $29.03 per hour (BLS, May 2024).

Is La Mesa a good place for phlebotomists once cost of living is counted?

San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad ranks 36th of 283 metro areas for phlebotomist pay after adjusting for local prices, and 10th of 310 before adjusting. Overall prices run 12% above the U.S. average.

Who is hiring phlebotomists in La Mesa?

We list 1 open role with published pay from 1 employer in the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad area. Your free report adds named employers and pay near La Mesa.

Do I need a California license to work in La Mesa as a phlebotomist?

Phlebotomy certification where the employer or state requires it. Credentials are issued state by state, so confirm what California requires for your role with the California licensing board and with your recruiter before you commit to a start date. Confirm with the board before you accept a role.

What is the per diem for a travel assignment in La Mesa?

The federal per diem benchmark in La Mesa is $205 a night for lodging and $86 a day for meals and incidentals, about $2,037 a week (GSA, fiscal year 2026). Your actual stipend depends on the assignment and your tax home.

Does Valorem Health place phlebotomists in La Mesa?

Yes. We place healthcare staff in La Mesa and across California. Tell us your profession and we email the roles open near La Mesa.

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The Joint Commission Gold Seal of Approval: Health Care Staffing Services Certification, since 2022American Staffing Association memberNATHO member: National Association of Travel Healthcare OrganizationsNALTO member: National Association of Locum Tenens Organizations

Pay report · Phlebotomist near La Mesa, CA
Valorem Health Shift ReportFrom your recruiting team · [email protected]

Your Phlebotomist pay reportLa Mesa, CA · pay published by employers, collected October 15, 2026

1Pay for your role at other employers

  • Quest DiagnosticsGrass Valley, CA · 40 postings$26.73/ hr$22–$34
  • Central Maine Healthcare CorporationInglewood, CA · 4 postings$26.41/ hr$24–$35
  • One MedicalLos Angeles, CA · 4 postings$25.50/ hr$23–$28

Median posted pay per hour, with the range each employer published.

2What they are offering now

Low$22Median$26.73High$29

54 Phlebotomist postings with published pay in California, 49 of them posted in the last 30 days. Month-by-month history by employer comes with your full report.

3Open now: 54 Phlebotomist roles

  1. Phlebotomist IPermanent
    $27.00–$29.45/ hour
    Quest Diagnostics · Millbrae, CA · posted today
  2. Phlebotomist II TerritoryPermanent
    $26.05–$28.45/ hour
    Quest Diagnostics · Selma, CA · posted today

+ 52 more in your report. Each one has pay, shift and start date.

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