How To Get Paid to Donate Plasma [9 Options For (2024)]

Most side hustles require a significant time commitment or rely on a specific skill set.

If you’re looking for a little extra cash but don’t have a hobby you can monetize or a ton of time, you’re not alone.

Many people have been in your place, and more than a few discovered they could get paid to donate plasma.

That’s right. You can get paid to donate a substance your body naturally makes– one that many people need as part of their disease treatment.

If you’re interested, read on. We’ll outline all the pros and potential cons of this simple side hustle.

Can You Get Paid to Donate Plasma?

Yes, you can get paid to donate plasma. Selling plasma isn’t like donating blood because plasma is often used differently.

While blood donations tend to go directly to patients needing blood transfusions, pharmaceutical companies often collect plasma.

These companies use plasma to create treatments for certain diseases, like hemophilia. Then, they sell the plasma therapy back to hospitals for a profit.

In other words, you’re donating your plasma to a for-profit company, which means you deserve compensation.

How Much Can You Make Donating Plasma?

The exact amount you can make donating plasma will vary and depends on several factors, including the collection location, your body weight, your blood type, and the company’s compensation plan.

Typically, there’s a new donor incentive that means you’ll earn a large payment in your first couple of visits.

Once you hit that, most companies pay between $30 and $75 per donation.

What You’ll Need To Get Paid To Donate Plasma

To donate plasma, you’ll need the following:

• Valid ID. Many donation companies will require a valid I.D. alongside proof of residency. Some will also require your social security card.
  No tattoos or piercings in the last three to four months. Tattoos and piercings can introduce foreign materials and pathogens to your bloodstream that could contaminate your donation.
• Be at least 18 years old. You have to be an adult to donate plasma.
• Be in good health. Most donation centers will require a physical examination at your first appointment to show you’re in good health. You may also have to repeat the physical annually.
• Weight at least 110 lbs. The amount of plasma you produce is directly related to your weight. If you weigh under 110 lbs, you don’t have enough plasma to donate safely.
  This requirement goes both ways, though– those who weigh more often make more per donation.

Where To Get Paid To Donate Plasma

You can get paid to donate plasma at facilities throughout the United States.

Below, we list some of the best plasma collection companies to look out for.

1. CSL Plasma

CSL Plasma is one of the largest plasma donation companies in the U.S.

Headquartered in Bota Raton, Florida, they have 300 donation center locations throughout the country, making them a top choice for many.

How Much You Can Make

Compensation at CSL Plasma varies significantly by location and body weight.

Those weighing under 150 pounds can earn between $40 and $50 per visit. Those with higher body weights will make a little more.

CSL also offers bonus incentives, including first-time donor rewards, that may make your first month more lucrative.

What Makes This Option Great

Besides its many locations, CSL Plasma also offers a great rewards program.

Their rewards program allows you to accumulate points alongside your regular commissions.

Completing surveys, referring other donors, and participating in location-specific promotions allow you to rack-up more points.

You can redeem these points later in their online store or for a cash payout.

• Fees/Commission: $40 – $60 per visit
• Payment Methods: Prepaid card

2. American Red Cross

The American Red Cross is specific about its plasma donations. Their website specifically asks for plasma donations from those with A.B. blood types.

If you have another blood type, you’ll need to contact your local American Red Cross branch to see if they’re in need.  

How Much You Can Make

The American Red Cross doesn’t offer payment for plasma. They’re a nonprofit, not a pharmaceutical company, so they don’t compensate donors.

We include it on this list because most people think of the American Red Cross first when considering blood or plasma donation.

What Makes This Option Great

Donating to the Red Cross isn’t great for your side hustle, but it is good for your health. You’ll be donating directly to trauma patients in need of plasma.

Studies show that having concern for the well-being of others is correlated with better health.

• Fees/Commission: None
• Payment Methods: N/A

3. BPL Plasma

BPL Plasma is a part of the UK-based Bio Products Laboratory. They’ve been leaders in plasma collection for 25 years and offer centers in several states throughout the U.S.  

How Much You Can Make

At BPL, plasma donors can expect to make between $20 and $75 per donation.

The range is significant because each BPL location has its own compensation schedule. They also have their own bonus and promotion programs.

What Makes This Option Great

Since each BPL donation facility sets a separate fee schedule and bonus program, the one closest to you may be exceptional in terms of compensation.

$75 per visit is on the top end of what you can expect with regular plasma donation. So, it’s worth researching your local BPL collection center if you live in a state where they operate.

• Fees/Commission: $20 – $75 per visit
• Payment Methods: Prepaid card

4. KED Plasma

KED Plasma offers 30 donation centers across the U.S. Established in 2004, this plasma collection company is part of Kedrion Biopharma, an international company that collaborates closely with the Italian National Health System.

How Much You Can Make

KED Plasma offers about $40 per visit, but this rate can vary significantly by location and your body weight.

They also offer a rewards program that allows you to earn points for donation milestones, your birthday, and survey participation.

You can redeem your points for gift cards and prizes in their online store.

What Makes This Option Great

KED Plasma emphasizes donor feedback, allowing them to excel in the donation experience.

They offer regular surveys as part of their rewards program and seem genuinely interested in donor responses.

Because they care about the donation experience, they also offer rewards that other plasma companies don’t.

For example, KED Plasma offers a “skip the line” express pass as a reward for frequent donors. This pass lets you jump to the front of the line at your next appointment.

• Fees/Commission: $40 per visit
• Payment Methods: Prepaid card

5. BioLife Plasma

BioLife Plasma is a growing plasma collection company in the U.S.

They currently operate 35 locations throughout the country, with plans to continue growing.

How Much You Can Make

BioLife Plasma offers about $40 per visit, though this amount will vary significantly by location. They also offer some of the best incentives, especially for new donors.

They promise that a new donor can earn up to $900 in their first month with BioLife plasma.

What Makes This Option Great

BioLife offers excellent incentives, especially to new donors, but we also love that the compensation is easy to access.

BioLife uses a prepaid Mastercard, allowing you to withdraw cash from hundreds of in-network ATMs without a fee.

• Fees/Commission: $40 per visit
• Payment Methods: Prepaid Mastercard

6. Vitalant

Founded in 1943, Vitalant is one of the oldest transfusion medicine companies.

Like the Red Cross, Vitalant is a nonprofit company that runs a network of 120 community donation centers.

How Much You Can Make

Unlike the Red Cross, Vitalant does offer compensation for plasma donations. As a nonprofit rather than a biopharma company, they don’t offer prepaid cards or direct payments.

But they do offer a rewards program that allows you to exchange points for gift cards.

What Makes This Option Great

Donating plasma can make a huge difference in people’s lives, and you can feel good about donating through a nonprofit rather than a pharmaceutical company. Earning gift cards on top of that is a huge plus.

• Fees/Commission: Unknown, point-based
• Payment Methods: Gift cards

7. Octapharma

Octapharma is an international company with over 180 donation centers worldwide.

Established in 1983, their goal is to develop better treatments for hemophilia patients. In hopes of reaching this goal, they offer one of the best compensation structures to plasma donors.

How Much You Can Make

Octapharma says their donors make hundreds of dollars each month, with top donors receiving around $400.

Their new donor incentives are high, allowing you to make up to $800 in the first 35 days. They also offer an excellent referral bonus of $100 per new donor referral.

What Makes This Option Great

Octapharma has a great app called the OctaApp, which allows you to calculate your expected payments and participate in its rewards program.

The rewards program enables you to earn points which you can redeem for gift cards or sweepstakes entries.

You can also redeem points for express passes, making your donation appointments that much faster.

• Fees/Commission: $400 per month
• Payment Methods: Prepaid card

8. Parachute

Parachute is a new plasma donation company with 37 locations that exist or are currently being built in the U.S.

Their mission is to connect plasma donation and technology in a better way, with the ultimate goal of creating a streamlined donation experience that pays well.

How Much You Can Make

Parachute promises up to $4k per year for regular donors. New donors can expect to make $130 in their first two visits alone. And the company offers numerous promotional bonuses, including referral bonuses.

Payments through Parachute vary significantly by location but also by other variables. For example, Parachute offers higher compensation rates if you’re willing to come in during non-busy times.

What Makes This Option Great

The Parachute app makes donating a great experience.

The app allows you to book your donation time, including same-day donations. The payment is instant, and you can track your prepaid card’s balance easily.

Plus, you can calculate expected earnings and participate in challenges, allowing you to earn even more.

• Fees/Commission: Up to $4,000 per year
• Payment Methods: Prepaid card

9. ADMA Bio-Center

ADMA Bio-Center is a branch of ADMA Biologics, Inc, a U.S. biopharma company headquartered in New Jersey.

They offer plasma donation centers throughout the southern U.S., including Tennessee, Georgia, Louisiana, and North Carolina.

They also have plans to grow, with a new facility opening in Maryland in 2023.

How Much You Can Make

ADMA Bio-Center offers a competitive fee structure that incentivizes new donors and those with specific blood types.

They promise that you can earn up to $1k in your first month, and there’s more compensation available if you have an R.H.- blood type.

Incentives aside, you can earn between $50 and $75 per visit.

What Makes This Option Great

ADMA Bio-Center is big on the in-person donation experience. They offer automated registration and top-notch collection equipment, which they claim shortens the donation process.

While donating, you can enjoy free WiFi and your own flat-screen T.V. with cable.

• Fees/Commission: $50- $75 per visit
• Payment Methods: Visa prepaid card

Why You Should Consider Donating Plasma as a Side Hustle

Donating plasma is a unique side hustle idea with the potential to pad your savings account.

That’s not the only reason you should consider it, though. Other reasons to consider donating plasma include:

• It saves lives. People with certain diseases like hemophilia or immune disorders need plasma therapies, and artificial plasma doesn’t exist. So, their only option is to receive plasma from a donor.
• It doesn’t take much time. Donating plasma takes a few hours per week at a maximum. Some plasma donation companies try to make the process faster by using high-tech equipment and automated registrations.
• It requires minimal effort. Unlike other side hustles, donating plasma requires very little effort. You’ll get to watch T.V., catch up on your favorite podcast, or read a book during the collection.
  Not many other jobs let you do that! 
• There are very few risks. Donating plasma has few risks, especially when using an FDA-approved company. Safe collection procedures make infections very unlikely, and there are minimal other health risks to plasma donation.

Problems With Donating Plasma

Getting paid to donate plasma sounds awesome, but there are always drawbacks. Here are a few to consider before you become a donor.

• It doesn’t pay that well. Plasma donation has a cap. Your body can only replenish plasma so quickly, which means you can’t replace your day job with giving plasma. The most you can make is a couple of hundred dollars per month.
• It might leave you tired. Plasma donation can leave you exhausted and dehydrated. That means it will be hard to do much after your donation appointments.
• Clinic staffing problems can extend the collection time. Many plasma clinics are facing staffing issues. If the clinic isn’t well-staffed, your wait time could be lengthy.
• The plasma collection industry is controversial. Plasma collection saves lives, but many have pointed out that pharmaceutical companies may unethically markup plasma therapies. A liter of plasma costs about $150 to produce but can sell to a hospital for $500 or more.

How To Get Paid To Donate Plasma: Step-By-Step Instructions

Things To Consider When Donating Plasma For Money

If you want to get paid to donate plasma, there are a few things you should keep in mind.

While donating plasma is a relatively simple process, you are donating something your body produces and needs, which means there are some things you should consider before signing up.

1. Avoid Fatty Foods

Most plasma donation centers advise avoiding fatty foods in the hours leading up to your donation appointment.

Plasma carries the fat from your foods, and too much can interfere with necessary lab tests, rendering your donation unusable.

2. Adopt A High Protein Diet

Though plasma is mostly water, it also contains a lot of protein. So, you need protein to replenish plasma.

If you plan to donate, it’s crucial that you eat a high-protein meal before and after. And, if you plan to donate plasma regularly, you should adapt your diet accordingly.

3. Avoid Dehydrators

There are very few health risks to plasma donation, but the process can leave you dehydrated. So, it’s essential to avoid anything that can add to dehydration.

That includes consuming alcohol and smoking. You also might want to avoid participating in a sweaty workout directly after donating.

4. There Are FDA Limits

The FDA regulates the number of times you can donate plasma as follows:

• No more than once every two days.
• No more than twice in one week.

Plasma donation centers keep track of your donations and won’t allow you to go beyond FDA regulations.

5. The First Donation Takes Time  

The first time you donate, you’ll have to show more identification, including your social security card and sometimes proof of residency, such as a copy of your lease.

You’ll also have to undergo a physical examination to ensure you’re in good health. This means the first appointment will take a significant amount of time, plan for at least two hours.

6. Make More Money By Fitting Certain Criteria

Plasma donation is more lucrative for some than others. You might get paid more if you have a needed blood type, like R.H-. If you have a higher body weight and can donate more, you’ll also likely receive more compensation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Getting paid to donate plasma comes with a few common questions. Let’s see if we can answer them.

Wrapping Up

A side hustle that requires minimal time and no skills is a great find. It’s even better when it helps others. That’s why it’s so great that you can get paid to donate plasma.

What do you think about donating plasma?

Tell us in the comments below, and be sure to share this article with your friends. If you’re already donating plasma, it might help you land a referral bonus!

Similar Ways To Get Paid

Plasma isn’t the only thing you can donate to make money.

Check out these other similar ways to get paid:

• Get Paid to Donate Sperm: If you’re looking for gigs that pay the same day, consider sperm donation. Donors can earn a couple of hundred dollars fast.
• Get Paid to Donate Eggs: Egg donation is a much bigger commitment than donating plasma, but it’s also more lucrative. Egg donors make $8,000 to $10,000 per donation.
• Get Paid to Lose Weight: You can’t donate your fat, but there are ways to make money for shedding pounds. Weight loss challenges and creative apps can help you lose weight while making a little extra cash.