Dialysis Technician Hourly Pay in Lake Forest, CA: $24.95 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dialysis technician working in Lake Forest, CA runs $24.95 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $51,894 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2099). Weighted against Lake Forest's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $22.06 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $31,134 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Lake Forest, California, dialysis technicians can expect a median hourly pay of $24.95, which is significantly above the national median hourly rate of $21.79. This higher rate can be advantageous for part-time technicians or those working in per-diem roles, which are common in settings such as outpatient dialysis clinics, home dialysis training locations, and hospital environments. With an hourly pay range from $19.60 at the entry-level to $38.67 for top earners, this profession offers substantial earning potential. As such, those considering a career as a dialysis technician in Lake Forest can anticipate a competitive hourly wage relative to other regions in California and across the nation, with opportunities to increase earnings based on workplace experience and specialized skills.
About the Lake Forest Market
Salary estimated from California average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Dialysis Technician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $19.60 | $156.81 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $21.75 | $174.02 |
| Median (P50) | $24.95 | $199.58 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $31.93 | $255.45 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $38.67 | $309.36 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Lake Forest
Based on $24.95/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $24.95/hr, a dialysis technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Lake Forest, CA can expect to earn approximately $51,890 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $29,936. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Lake Forest.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Lake Forest
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $997.88 | $4,324 | $51,890 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $598.73 | $2,594 | $31,134 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $399.15 | $1,730 | $20,756 |
Compare DT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dialysis Technician (Lake Forest) | $24.95 |
| Nursing Assistant (National Avg) | $18.62 |
| Medical Lab Technician (National Avg) | $28.18 |
| Licensed Practical Nurse (National Avg) | $29.71 |
| Phlebotomist (National Avg) | $20.69 |
Dialysis Technicians in Lake Forest, CA earn a median of $51,894 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.50% higher than the national median of $45,322 and 1.80% below the California state average of $52,845.
Dialysis Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $24.95/hr = $31,134/year (purchasing power: $27,528).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $51,890/year (purchasing power: $45,880).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2021 BLS Actual
$22.15/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$24.36/hr
2026 Current Est.
$24.95/hr
2021–2027 Growth
+15.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dialysis Technicians in Lake Forest (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.41% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $22.15/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $21.79/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $22.99/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $33.10/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $24.36/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $24.95/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $25.55/hr | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dialysis technicians in Lake Forest grew 10.0% from $22.15/hr (2021) to $24.36/hr (2025). At a 2.41% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $25.55/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem dialysis technicians can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lake Forest 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 2.41% CAGR derived from 5-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Dialysis Technician in Lake Forest
Part-time dialysis technicians working three days a week, totaling around 24 hours, can expect to take home approximately $31,000 annually, which is a key consideration for many who may not wish to commit to full-time hours. For those exploring per diem opportunities, typical rates reach between $25 and $38 per hour, while home dialysis trainers have the potential to earn between $30 and $45 per hour depending on the employer. This varies among outpatient dialysis chains, hospitals, and home training programs in Lake Forest. Some technicians may trade a lower hourly rate for benefits like health insurance, while others aiming for higher wages might opt for roles without benefits. Negotiating pay may involve understanding the local market dynamics in CA, specifically where the major providers like Fresenius and DaVita dictate the hourly ranges, ensuring that compensation reflects the technician's qualifications and the growing demand for home dialysis services.
More salary data for Lake Forest, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for dialysis technicians in Lake Forest in 2026?
How much do part-time dialysis technicians make in Lake Forest?
Are dialysis technicians in Lake Forest paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time dialysis technician make per year in Lake Forest?
Do dialysis technicians earn more per hour working part-time in Lake Forest?
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Written by Jessica Tran, CCRN
Career Analyst
Jessica has over 10 years as a dialysis technician. She specializes in chronic kidney disease management. She works at a community hospital.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 2.41% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for dialysis technicians in Lake Forest. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Lake Forest 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 2.41%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for dialysis technicians (SOC 29-2099).
Compiled and verified by Jessica Tran, CCRN, a licensed dialysis technician with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov