Dialysis Technician Hourly Pay in San Diego, CA: $26.11 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dialysis technician working in San Diego, CA runs $26.11 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $54,324 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2099). Weighted against San Diego's regional price level (BEA RPP 111.9, 12% above national), each hour of work buys what $23.34 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $32,591 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In San Diego, dialysis technicians can expect a median hourly rate of $26.11, significantly higher than the national hourly median of $21.79. This competitive pay reflects the growing demand for these healthcare professionals in various settings such as outpatient dialysis clinics, home dialysis training kitchens, and inpatient hospital units. For technicians working part-time, say three days a week, this hourly rate translates into a practical income that can support various lifestyles, especially in a city with a higher cost of living index like San Diego. The hourly pay varies widely, with entry-level positions starting around $20.68 and experienced professionals earning up to $41.98. These figures are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, confirming that the field maintains solid earning potential for those entering or progressing in the profession.
Dialysis Technician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $20.68 | $165.41 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $21.45 | $171.64 |
| Median (P50) | $26.11 | $208.92 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $32.12 | $256.93 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $41.98 | $335.82 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in San Diego
Based on $26.11/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $26.11/hr, a dialysis technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in San Diego, CA can expect to earn approximately $54,318 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $31,337. With a cost-of-living index of 111.89 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in San Diego.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in San Diego
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,044.58 | $4,527 | $54,318 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $626.75 | $2,716 | $32,591 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $417.83 | $1,811 | $21,727 |
Compare DT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dialysis Technician (San Diego) | $26.11 |
| 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 San Diego, CA earn a median of $54,324 per year (2026 est.), which is 19.86% higher than the national median of $45,322 and 2.80% above the California state average of $52,845.
Dialysis Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $26.11/hr = $32,591/year (purchasing power: $29,128).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $54,318/year (purchasing power: $48,547).
CoL index: 111.887 (100 = national average).
2021 BLS Actual
$22.83/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$25.50/hr
2026 Current Est.
$26.11/hr
2021–2027 Growth
+17.1%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dialysis Technicians in San Diego (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.41% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $22.83/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $24.33/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $25.71/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $28.55/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $25.50/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $26.11/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $26.74/hr | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dialysis technicians in San Diego grew 11.7% from $22.83/hr (2021) to $25.50/hr (2025). At a 2.41% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $26.74/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 San Diego 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 San Diego
For a part-time dialysis technician working 24 hours a week, annual earnings can total around $32,000 compared to full-time colleagues, which could result in a significant income disparity. This income can still be appealing given the flexibility it offers. On the per diem side, technicians can charge anywhere from $25 to $38 an hour, with home dialysis trainers in chain employment able to command rates between $30 and $45. While travel contracts may offer substantial weekly earnings upwards of $1,800, they are less common compared to travel nursing roles. Hourly wages also vary based on the employer type in San Diego; outpatient dialysis chains like Fresenius and DaVita tend to dominate market wages and set the bar for compensation. For some technicians, accepting lower hourly pay in exchange for health benefits can be a worthwhile trade-off. When negotiating your hourly rate, it’s crucial to consider your priorities such as job security versus hourly earnings and to be aware of the current market rates in San Diego's dialysis field.
More salary data for San Diego, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for dialysis technicians in San Diego in 2026?
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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 San Diego. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 5-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 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