Phlebotomist Salary and Career Guide

Phlebotomy is a growing career in the healthcare field with competitive salaries and opportunities for advancement. As the population ages and medical professionals are needed more than ever, phlebotomists can find full-time and part-time employment in various medical settings or as travelling professionals. In this article, you'll learn more about what a phlebotomist is, what they do, and their job outlook. You'll also find common certificates and learn what to do to start this vital healthcare career.

What is a phlebotomist?

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, is a healthcare professional who draws blood from patients for laboratory testing, transfusions, and research. As a phlebotomist, you'll have opportunities to work one-on-one with patients of all ages or as a specialist with paediatric or geriatric patients.

Typical duties and tasks

As a phlebotomist, you'll meet with patients and sometimes need to talk with them to ease their anxiety. You may encounter a nervous patient who fears needles, so you'll want to be comfortable talking with people of all ages and walks of life.

 Before you begin a blood draw, verify the patient's identity and confirm the required number of specimens ordered. If your patient is ambulatory, ask if they've ever fainted during a blood draw and if they have any adverse reactions to latex. You can also ask if they have an arm preference.

After you clean the injection site with an antiseptic, place an elastic band above it to add pressure. You'll then insert the needle into the vein and collect the blood into an airtight vial attached to the needle. When the proper amount is collected, remove the needle and cover the punctured area with a bandage.

Before the patient leaves, you'll advise them of immediate aftercare instructions to prevent bleeding, such as avoiding heavy lifting or placing a wet, cold pack on the puncture site to prevent bruising.

You'll then label the vials and enter the information into a database. The blood samples are delivered to a specified laboratory for examination by a lab technician. 

As a phlebotomist, you also ensure the equipment is sterile and properly dispose of any contaminated material.  

Common work environment

Phlebotomists work in various healthcare environments in both full-time and part-time positions. Some of the most common work environments include:

• Hospitals

• Skilled nursing facilities

• Private homes 

• Clinics 

• Outpatient facilities

• Medical and testing laboratories

• Doctors' offices

• Blood donor organisations

• Research institutions

• Substance abuse facilities

• Prisons

• Public health centres

There are also many employment opportunities for travelling phlebotomists. Private insurance companies and healthcare groups have various positions available. If you're not seeking permanent employment, temporary agencies hire phlebotomists to fill short—and long-term positions.

Job outlook

According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), expenditures on healthcare in the UK rose by 15.7 percent in 2020, the fastest growth rate since 1997 [1]. This likely translates to higher demand for healthcare personnel, including phlebotomists.  

A career as a phlebotomist typically offers job security, competitive pay, and flexible work hours. Phlebotomist jobs exist in many healthcare environments and provide the opportunity to work with and meet many people from various walks of life. 

It's possible phlebotomists are experiencing job growth due to increased demand by hospitals and diagnostic labs for professionals capable of taking blood samples. Other openings might be due to promotions, retirements, and phlebotomists who leave the field for other reasons.

As healthcare becomes more accessible and affordable to a larger population, the demand for blood testing has also increased.

What is the average phlebotomist's salary?

According to Indeed, the average base salary for phlebotomists is £23,986 per year as of February 2025 [2].

Factors that affect salary outlook 

Several factors impact the salary a phlebotomist can expect to earn, such as geographical location, educational and experiential level, and employer industry.

Location is a particularly critical factor in determining the salary of a phlebotomist. The most promising cities in the UK for phlebotomist careers are these: 

• Bristol

• Cambridge

• Coventry

• Derby

• Kingston Upon Thames

• London

• Manchester

Looking beyond geographical locations, your place of employment and level of education and experience also affect your salary. Generally, the National Health Service (NHS), hospitals, private laboratories, colleges, and universities offer the highest-paid phlebotomy positions.

Tips for increasing earning potential 

A career in phlebotomy offers opportunities for increased earning potential. Some include gaining experience, location, obtaining a degree, and becoming certified. Here's a closer look at each.

Gain experience. 

The more experience you gain, the more you can increase your earning potential. Some employers only require experience for promotions, while others prefer continuing education.

You can gain experience with in-house training offered by hospitals and other healthcare facilities. You'll learn venipuncture techniques and get hands-on equipment experience. Phlebotomy opportunities can also include internships, so check with any medical facility you'd like to work at to see what's available. 

Consider specialising.

You may want to work with a specific age demographic, and opportunities are available in paediatric and geriatric phlebotomy. Because these populations require more challenging blood draws, you must typically complete specialised training and exams to work with them.

Choose a location.

The geographic location you work in can impact your earning potential. Highly populated and affluent metro areas offer more earning opportunities.

You can also look beyond geographical locations and consider around-the-clock care facilities where you can earn shift-differential pay. 

Consider getting an undergraduate qualification.

Although an undergraduate qualification isn't necessary to work as a phlebotomist, accredited programs provide classroom training and job experience. Phlebotomy classes are also available at some colleges, and programs in healthcare support are also options to consider if you aspire to be a phlebotomist. 

An undergraduate qualification can result in a more competitive salary. This can be beneficial if you plan to seek a higher position in the future, such as a medical technologist.

Get certified.

It can be advantageous to earn a certificate in phlebotomy. Certified phlebotomists can often earn a higher salary than non-certified phlebotomists.

Some programs provide online learning. However, clinical experience is necessary for course completion, requiring several venipunctures on patients or mannequins. When choosing an online program, make sure the school has a place nearby where you can complete your clinical hours.

Types of phlebotomy courses and certifications

Many types of training courses and certifications exist for phlebotomists in the UK. Here are some examples:

• Practical Phlebotomy Training Programme offered by The Phlebotomy Centre and accredited by the Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Group

• Basic Phlebotomy Skills Course offered by Phlebotomy Training Services and accredited by Aim Group

• Venepuncture (Phlebotomy) and Cannulation Training are offered by The Health and Safety Group and accredited by the Royal College of Nursing (RCN)

Next steps

As you're considering a career in phlebotomy, consider joining a professional association or taking an online course to expand your knowledge and skill set. The National Association of Phlebotomists offers many benefits for professional development, including newsletters, a bi-annual conference, and training. The University of Pennsylvania's Vital Signs: Understanding What the Body Is Telling Us on Coursera explores the anatomy and physiology underlying vital signs in just 14 hours.