William Lipovsky
While the donor pay varies based on several factors, you can usually expect to earn between $45 and $125 per visit at paying donation centers.
I explain the factors that will determine your pay rate below. I also detail the donor restrictions, where to donate, and what to expect during the process.
How to Donate Blood for Money
When you donate blood for money, what you’re actually donating is the plasma in your blood.[1]
There are more than 900 licensed and certified plasma collection centers located in the United States.[2][3]
However, not all donation centers compensate their donors; see the list of paying plasma donation centers by region.
I contacted BPL Plasma and CSL Plasma Centers in Arizona, Florida, North Carolina, and Ohio, as well as Octapharma Plasma’s customer service line, to find out what you can expect when donating blood and how much you can earn by giving plasma.
What You Can Earn
Payment amounts vary by location, which center you choose, how often you donate, and your weight. On average, you’ll receive anywhere from $45 to $125 per visit.[4][1][5]
New donors may receive higher payouts for their first visits. For example, new donors can earn $700 in their first month with CSL Plasma.[6][7][1]
Most centers also offer higher rates for your second donation of the week.[4][1][5]
Donor Eligibility
You can legally donate plasma as often as twice per week with at least 48 hours between each donation.[8][4][1][5]
However, you must be at least 18 years old and weigh at least 110 pounds.[9][10]
You’ll also need to be in generally good health and complete a physical examination at the blood bank before your first donation.[11][12][13]
Note that requirements and examinations vary slightly by state and by the donation center.
However, you are ineligible to donate blood if you:[14][15]
- Take certain medications
- Test positive for HIV
- Test positive for Hepatitis
- Test positive for Parvo B19
- Have had close contact with a person with viral hepatitis in the past three months
- Have a congenital coagulation factor deficiency
- Have had new or multiple partners in the last three months
Before donating, it’s best to consider your well-being and whether you’ve had strong reactions to having blood drawn in the past.
Donation Process
Before your appointment, you should eat a healthy meal and drink an extra 16 ounces or so of water.[16]
Tip: It’s a good idea to wear short sleeves or sleeves that are easy to roll up for a more comfortable experience.
What to Bring
Before setting out to donate plasma, you’ll need to gather a few documents.
Be sure to bring the following with you:[17][11][4][1]
- A current, government-issued photo ID
- Proof of your Social Security number
- Proof of your local residential address, such as a utility bill
What to Expect
Once you arrive, an associate will greet you, look over your documents, and check you in.
If it’s your first visit, you’ll complete your medical history screening and physical exam. (Subsequent visits involve screenings as well, but the first screening/exam is longer and more thorough.)[11][18]
Once approved to donate, a staff member will take you to the donation area and draw your blood. You’ll relax in a chair while your donation takes place, and the staff will check on you throughout the process.[1]
You’ll receive compensation at the end of your session, usually in the form of a prepaid debit card. Most donation centers offer reloadable cards, which they can add money to after each of your successful donations.[11][19]
What to Do After Donating
When you’re done, make sure to eat some food, drink plenty of water, and relax for a bit. Most donation centers will offer doughnuts, cookies, juice, water, and other treats to help you re-energize.[20]
Leave your bandage on for several hours after your blood draw. If your arm is a bit sore, you can take acetaminophen or ice the area.[16][17]
FAQ
All blood types earn the same amount, including Rh-negative. While Rh-negative blood produces a special antibody that’s necessary to create certain medications, donors still receive the standard pay rate.[21][4][1][5]
This takes about one to two hours, depending on which center you visit;[22] you’re welcome to bring a book, magazine, tablet, or smartphone to keep yourself occupied while you wait.[1][23]
Most people don’t experience any side effects when donating blood or plasma. However, keep in mind that there are a few potential side effects, including lightheadedness, dizziness, bruising, and bleeding.[24]
In Summary
You can earn about $45 to $125 per visit by donating the plasma from your blood, depending on the location, your weight, and how often you donate.
You should be sure you’re in good health and can pass a medical examination before making your first donation. You will also need to bring your ID, proof of your Social Security number, and proof of residence.
Feel free to ask questions below or to share your own story as a donor or receiver of blood.
Can I give blood if I’m not united state’ citizens ?
Hi Kakaay,
Of all the major blood donation centers, GRIFOLS is the only one to publish anything about donating if you’re a non US-citizen. In this case, all you need in order to donate as a non US citizen is to provide proof of your Individual Taxpayer Identification number (ITIN). It’s also rumored that other places will still take your blood but since it’s no other plasma centers have any published information on the subject, please call your local centers to inquire. If you have any follow-up questions, let me know!
Where is the closes place to donate blood for money Dunedin Fl. 34698
Hi Kathleen,
You can go with Octapharma Plasma or CSL Plasma. Click each link to see exact locations near you. Let me know if I can do anything else to help!
Hi so I was wondering if your blood vains will colapse kinda like drug addicts do from useing a needle in your arm too much I’m just kinda worried also can you donate when your 16 with permission I know the article touched on it briefly but I was still unsure
When a body gets stuck with a needle, your body does one of two things to heal itself: regeneration or repair. Regeneration means no scarring and you’re returned to ‘like new’ condition. But if there’s not enough time for regeneration (if you stick the same spot over and over again) your body will go into repair mode. That leads to scarring. Luckily, you cannot sell blood often enough for your body to go into repair mode. So scarring is not a worry unless you are very old and your body has gotten very slow at regeneration. Most people switch arms each time they donate to give even more healing time.
Your veins will not collapse either. The frequency of the trauma to them is not enough to cause harm. It’s one of the reasons the government disallows us to donate blood more often.
There are no blood donation centers in the US that will pay for blood from a 16 year old – parental consent or not. You can give blood through The Red Cross at 16 with parental consent (in some states) but you of course won’t be compensated. Link for more info about donating via The Red Cross.
The article has been updated to reflect this information.
Actually I only donated 4 times maybe and still have scarring to this day. That was over 14 years ago. The same thing happened to my friends that I went with. We were all young and healthy. Also, there are other risks to consider, rare as they may be. The last one that I donated, the centrifuge broke. For those that aren’t familiar, it is the machine that separates your plasma from your blood so that it can then return the blood to your body. At least, that’s the way they did it then and most still do from what I understand. So, then you can’t donate for a longer amount of time anyway for your body to build the volume back up. But, I was done with it after that experience anyway.
Hi Kate,
Sorry you had such an unpleasant experience! You’re definitely right that there are some other risks associated with donating plasma. Just like any procedure, things can and do go wrong on occasion. Thanks for writing in to share your experience.
Im canadian and have AB RH NEGATIVE BLOOD. What centre pays the most in new york state (buffalo)
Hi Canadian Donor,
You should do a search for plasma centers in Buffalo, NY, and contact them to find out exactly what they will pay. Payment sometimes depends on factors specific to you beyond just blood and within the same company can vary between location. Of our list, it looks like only KED Plasma has a location near by.
hi .i want to just know that is there any side effects for donating plazma from blood means there must an important role for plazma in our blood . and we are taking it out ?
Hi Utkarsh,
Wise question. Plasma is largely water so when you donate, you feel dehydrated if you’re not very hydrated before beginning the donation process. It’s because plasma is largely water. So stay hydrated and you should feel fine. As soon as you start to donate plasma, your body works quickly to get you back to its normal level. This is done within 2 days. It’s a very safe process.
The article has been updated to reflect this information.
Over the years I donated 3 gallons of blood to the Red Cross, what finally made me stop was a friend having surgery. I banked directed donations for him, during surgery they used 2 units of platelets and plasma. He was charged $9,000 a unit even for unused blood products. $27K for blood that was specifically for him. His insurance paid for part of it but 20K still came from him. I started thinking how much that is being made from my fluids.wondering why they charged so much, answer I received was because we can if I didn’t like it go hang with th junkies. Since that day the ARC has not received a drop of my AB+, they never helped after Hurricane Mathew when my family was in need of help We begged them for assistance and still can’t get a call returned. To the Devil with them why should I not be paid they are well paid
Hi how much do you receive your 6 time donating at csl plasma
Hi Myyonna,
New donors can earn up to $300 per month at CSL Plasma. Existing donors can earn up to $400 per month. You also receive points called iGive. These points can be redeemed for extra cash as money gets loaded onto a prepaid debit card. According to the FDA, you can give up to twice per 7-day period. As long as your location (and your body) allows to give up to the max, $225 for donating 6 times if you’re new, $300 if you’ve sold plasma to CSL Plasma in the past. Let me know if you have any follow-up questions. Thanks, Myyonna.
so every 6th time you give…you get $225 as like a bonus???
No $225 bonus, that’s just the rate if you’re new and donate six times. With the iGive rewards program though, if you donate twice per week, you can earn a $55 bonus though.
Current rate at CSL (9/3/2016) for first time donors is 60/60, 40/40, then 70 (then 40 if you make it the 2nd time in the week). After that, If you weigh 150-160 you get 20/40. If you weight under 150 you only get 15/20. I would never waste my time on this for $35 a week when you spend 2-3 hours doing it, waiting in line, then a needle in your arm. Telacris pays everyone the same.
How long is the needle actually in your arm for?
Hi AK,
The actual donation itself, the time when the needle is in your arm, typically takes between 30-55 minutes. Donating plasma takes longer than donating whole blood because the plasma gets stripped out and the rest of the blood elements get put back into your body (red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets). There should no be any pain after the needle is inserted.
The article has been updated to reflect this information.
How soon can I do this?
Hi Devon,
If you’re referring to the age you must be in order to donate blood for money, in nearly every state it’s 18. Though Biomat USA requires you to be 19 and the following three states have a higher age of majority than most: Delaware (19), Mississippi (21) and Nebraska (19). No minors are allowed to sell blood. Though if you’re 17, you can donate to The Red Cross. They of course don’t pay but it might be good to give to them once just to make sure you can handle the process just fine.
I’m not allowed in any of the plasma centers where i live but i have rh- blood can you help me find d a place to sell my blood.. i live in cedar rapids iowa…
Next go to hospitals in your area that pay for blood. If you don’t mind me asking, why are you not allowed in the plasma donation centers where you live? For the same reason, you may not be allowed to sell blood to hospitals.
Im wondering if, since I have the universal “sought after” blood type O-, I can aquire more $ for my blood donation ? Ive looked into it, but havent found much. I did hear if you are donating plasma,not blood that blood type doesnt matter. Thoughts/info ??
Hi Jenn,
AB(-), B(-), O(-) and Rh-null blood types are indeed rare. However, your initial research was correct. It’s the plasma that you’re really get paid to donate. And when it comes to plasma – blood type is irrelevant.
The article has been updated to reflect this information.
I have a friend that’s rh negative, since it’s a rare type, can they donate..?? and since its it’s rare, do they get rare money….?? for their donation..??
thank you very much..
Hi Brad,
Everyone can donate (and receive the same amount of money) regardless of blood type.
The article has been updated to reflect this information.
Hi, I was wondering do they really drug test you before donating blood. And if so what are they looking for exactly? Thanks
Hi Alex,
Great question. Here are the drug testing policies for all buyers listed in this article:
Octapharma Plasma – Don’t be under the influence of drugs upon arrival to sell blood. And drug tests vary from location to location. http://octapharmaplasma.com/donor/plasma-donation-faq
CSL Plasma – No information published about drug testing.
GCAM Plasma, Inc. – A physical will be performed http://www.gcamplasma.com/ (under ‘donate’ tab)
Interstate Blood and Plasma Inc. / Plasma Biological Services Inc. – A physical will be performed on your first visit. https://www.interstatebloodbank.com/?page_id=2206
KEDPlasma, LLC – No information published about drug testing.
Talecris Plasma Resources, Inc. – No information published about drug testing.
There’s not much information about drug testing on any of these websites. It’s likely because having drugs in your system doesn’t lower the quality of the blood you’re donating. In short, places that buy your blood/plasma really don’t care if you’ve been on drugs because it doesn’t harm the product. My advice: don’t show up under the influence of drugs and since there’s really no degradation of the blood, they should not care if you did drugs in the past.
I’m updating the article to reflect this new research.
I donated at Telacris 3 months ago, and I had to take a urine drug test for the physical. I donated at CSL for the first time yesterday, and they did not drug test me at all. The nurse said if they were going to drug test (at CSL) they would do a cheek swab, which they never did. I was asking at CSL about the drug test because I had to go the the bathroom really bad after drinking all that water! Looks like CSL reserves the drug test for people that they think show up on drugs.
Sue or Will, do you know if oxycodone (40mg twice a day & 15mg 6xs a day). and methylphenidate (60mg ER) will disqualify you from CSL. I tried to call today and they did not want to answer on the phone and I refuse to go in just to be turned away. I think it is ridiculous they are not being open and informative so their and my time is not wasted.
The pain management is from knee surgery from 2 years ago, still hurting in my knees, and a bad back and fibromyalgia. Nothing contagious.
I have been looking for hours on the internet for an answer and am unable to find one. I did email their office though. Thank you very much for your time and effort on this.
( I am asking since you have worked with them and I am not sure of any other location in my area that may be willing to respond on the phone. )
Hi Jane,
I’m sorry to hear about your frustration with CSL! Unfortunately, I’m not able to say whether any specific medical condition or medication will disqualify a donor, as it’s up to each donation center to set their own policies in this regard. Typically, chronic conditions that are well-managed and the majority of medications do not affect the ability to donate, but I’m not able to offer any specifics since it’s really at the donation center’s discretion. Hopefully you’re able to get your answer by phone or by email from CSL. (Sorry about the difficulty you had posting your comment! We’ll be investigating the server timeout issue; thank you for bringing it to our attention.)
We cannot answer health or medicine questions over the phone. If we told potential donors disqualifying information over the phone, then they would not tell us about the condition or medications once they arrived.
I wants sale my blood in Saudi in the city of dammam I needed money because my wife broken leg .I want money .my age 29year olod my. Blood group o positive. any blood contact me. thanks.
Hi Tasawor,
While this website is mostly for a US-audience, it looks like you can donate sell to hospitals for about SAR 350 to 400. Here are some guidelines for giving/selling blood in Saudi Arabia.
Hey where can you get cash for blood in Ca thanks
Hi Lo,
Octapharma, GCAM Plasma, KEDPlasma, and GRIFOLS (Biomat) all have donation centers in California. You can use the location finders we’ve provided in the article for these agencies to find the center that’s closest to you. Best of luck!
Hi, I live in Allentown,Pa. Where can I find a place that I can donate blood?
Hi Jayleen,
We found Biological Specialty Corporation in Allentown. Learn more about donating with them here.
I was deferred because i got a small tattoo on side of my foot. When i got it a year ago i showed a worker and she said its ok because its within the size limit. I said ok. I didn’t try to hide it at all. I wore flip flops most of the time. But i went in yesterday to donate and they asked if i wanted my yearly physical now or next time, i said now is fine. So the nurse took me in the room and proceeded to do physical starting with questions. She asked if my body has changed in anyway. I said yes i got the small tattoo ( it says MY ONLY SUNSHINE ) . She said oh that changes everything. I told her what i was told and who told me. But she said it doesn’t matter. Its not my fault there employees dont know what there talking about. I didn’t lie, maybe i should have. There are a few people that were there that said i should of put it somewhere no one could see thats what they did. But my question is that was at an Octapharma Plasma center, can i go somewhere else ? The tattoo is a year old. I mean is this what i get for telling the truth? My daughter starts college in 2 weeks. I need the extra cash for her food allowance.
According to the Octapharma website, as long as your tattoo is at least 12 months old, it’s not a problem. It’s to protect the blood recipient from contracting hepatitis, should your needle have been affected. 12 months is the norm at any place that buys/takes donations for blood. And in some states where tattoo parlors are closely regulated, there is no wait time to sell blood after a tattoo because hepatitis isn’t as much of a threat at these state-regulated parlors (in theory at least). Regulated states are: Alabama, North Carolina, Tennessee, or Virginia but this list will likely grow. In short, Octapharma should take your blood. Talk to someone else who knows their policies better. Prove that the tattoo is over 12 months old. If something got marked wrong on your chart and no one will listen, choose another blood donation center from our list that’s close to you. If you have ANY other questions, just let me know.
Do blood banks pay a little bit more for RH- blood?
Hi Sarah,
Rare blood type blood donors make the same amount of money as common blood type blood donors. While a certain blood type may be rare, it also means fewer people need it.
I read that the rare blood type O negative is not only the rarest BUT also a universal type which can be used for anyone, so isn’t that more valuable?
No because plasma is what you’re being compensated for and plasma is blood type blind.
I work at a plasma center and Rh Neg Donors (A-, B-, AB-, and O-) who qualify for the Anti D program do, in fact, get paid substantially more for donating their plasma than regular donors. It doesn’t matter A, AB, B, or O, as long as its Rh neg and meets the criteria. It is used to make the RhoGAM shot that many expecting mothers have to have. Many of the plasma centers you have cited in your article have and explain this specialty program.
Hi there,
You’re absolutely right! I apologize for the misleading information in the article. I have updated the “Amount Paid to People With Rare Blood Types” section of the article to include a note explaining the importance of Rh-negative plasma in treating HDN, and the resulting higher payments for donors with this type of blood. Thank you very much for writing in and bringing this to our attention!
i am blood 0
Hi Paobianca,
For plasma donation, the blood type itself isn’t important, as plasma is blood type blind. However, it is possible that you could earn more money based on your Rh designation (positive or negative). If you are O-negative, you may make more money as a plasma donor than someone with O-positive blood. You’ll need to get in touch with your local plasma donation center to find out more about specific compensation rates. I hope this helps!
Hi Pankaj,
The best place to start is with the location finders towards the end of the article. You can use these to find out which plasma donation agencies have donation centers in your local area. Then, just make sure you meet all of the agency’s requirements, and you’re ready to start donating!
Why can’t people that have spend 5 years in europe donate?
Hi George,
Excellent question. In short – mad cow disease, also known as Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (vCJD). Infected beef for human consumption was sent throughout Europe during the period indicated in the post. And since there’s no way to prove a person doesn’t have mad cow, the US policy is better safe than sorry. People can have mad cow, show no symptoms, give blood to another person and that person can get mad cow, and that person could die. Though it’s believed that in the near future, we’ll be able to detect the disease even in people who are symptom-free. Sources/additional information can be found here:
http://www.fda.gov/BiologicsBloodVaccines/GuidanceComplianceRegulatoryInformation/Guidances/Blood/ucm074100.htm
http://www.stripes.com/blogs/the-rumor-doctor/the-rumor-doctor-1.104348/does-living-in-europe-prevent-you-from-giving-blood-to-wounded-troops-1.129036
Would the donation centers pay me if I’m 16 and went in with a parent?
Hi Orel,
Unfortunately, no. There are no blood donation centers in the US that will pay for blood from a 16 year old – parent or no parent. You can give blood at 16 in some states but never sell it. If you’re interesting in giving it away, here’s a link that’ll show if you can give at age 16 in your state: http://www.redcrossblood.org/students/sixteen It may be worth doing (if you’re able) so you know whether or not you like the experience. Then, once you turn 18, you can begin selling. If you have any other questions, don’t hesitate.
Yes i donet my blood
How old do you have to be to donate?
Hi Cameron,
Excellent question. Generally the minimum age to sell blood is 18. The American Red Cross will let you donate at 17 (16 with parental consent). As prompted by your question, I’ve updated the post to include lower and upper age requirements for each of the most popular places to sell blood. Please see the new section above titled ‘Age Requirements for Donating Blood (Upper and Lower Age Requirements)’ for more detailed information. Let me know if you have any further questions!
Hi Will,
For future reference, people shouldn’t donate blood while they’re on accutane. The drug is dangerous for pregnant women and people with bad livers, so it’s best to avoid donating while taking this drug. Let me know what you think. Great info in this article though, thanks!
Hi Taylor,
You’re absolutely right! And how could I have missed it? I was on the drug for nearly 2 years not that long ago. The inch-thick side effects packet they gave me definitely said DO NOT donate blood while on the drug. I’ve updated the post. Thank you for your contribution!!!
I just started giving plasma now and have read a few places that you can get more money the more you weigh. How do you go about asking for more money? Im in good health and weigh 200 I see a lot of people that weight like 130 and they get done sooner because takes less time.
Hi Jim,
You’re right – if you’re giving more plasma + giving more of your time, you should earn more money. Octa Pharma Plasma, for one, agrees with this: http://octapharmaplasma.com/donor/plasma-donation-faq. You may want to go there. But if going to one of their locations isn’t convenient for you, make sure your blood bank is paying per measurement (per pint, per ounce, etc.). As long as they are, everyone should be fairly compensated. One thing also to consider is that some people’s bodies release blood faster than others. This can be due to factors such as hydration, size of veins, heartbeat, etc. This means others around you may simply give a pint of blood faster. Do come back and comment if you have any further concerns. Thanks, Jim.
CSL pay by weight. You would get the higher dollar amount there. Telacris has a flat payment system, which attracts more donors.
I would like to know where my husband can truly donate his blood in west palm beach for charity. Currently he donates his blood to oneblood.org every time the they roll into town. I am opposed to them reselling his blood. Is there a truly not-for-profit organization?
There was a van that came here once and they claimed they did not resell blood, but they donated it to hospitals. I can’t remember who they were.
Thank you,
Hi Kathleen,
Check out: http://www.unitedbloodservices.org/ and http://www.militaryblood.dod.mil/. The first is nonprofit and the second is government so that’s about as nonprofit as you can get. 🙂
Hi Kathleen, I’ve always wound up donating blood through Red Cross. Most donated blood winds up with Red Cross in the end anyway. I’ve always had a pleasant experience and I’ve always been taken care of. As far as I know RedCross is all over and they go to a bunch of different places in buses and vans to get their donations. I hope you’ll look into them.
I have gave blood for the Red Cross in the past a bunch. I want to do this. I have been tested for everything under the sun. I am willing to tested again. I want to be paid for my time.
Hi Jennifer,
The best place to start is with the location finders towards the end of the article – in the “Most Popular Places to Donate Blood throughout the United States” section. You can use these to find out which plasma donation agencies have donation centers in your local area. Then, just make sure you meet all of the agency’s requirements, and you’re ready to start donating!
I am AB negative. What is the rate on that? I donate occasionally to the Red Cross and had no idea they may be selling it.