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.
i am 22 yrs old and not sure what my blood type is. i weigh over 200 lbs. my question is i got a tattoo about 3 years ago. its only an inch top to bottom and an inch and a half across. i got it done at home but I opened the materials when it was done. am i still eligible to make money for my blood?
Hi J,
The restriction on tattoos is to control the risk of blood-transmissible disease, like hepatitis. These diseases can take up to 12 months after exposure to show up in a screening, which is why there’s a 12-month deferment on new tattoos (in a non-regulated state). Since your tattoo is over 12 months old, it shouldn’t be a concern and you’re most likely eligible to donate (unless your local center has a specific policy). You can always ask the health historian at the donation center if you have any further questions. I hope this helps!
I take prescription medications for pain, depression and anxiety. I also have tattoos and have panic attacks if I get dizzy! My tattoos are all over 6 years. Am I going to be banned? Do I need to bring proof for everything?
Hi LS,
In the majority of cases, medication won’t disqualify you from donating blood. (The Red Cross provides a list of medications that will cause deferment, if you’d like to check for your specific prescriptions.) As far as tattoos, since yours are all over a year old, most places will allow you to donate without a problem. If you have any proof of when you got the tattoos, it might be a good idea to bring that along, just in case.
If you have any remaining doubts, you can always call ahead to your local blood donation center — that way you’ll know for sure. Best of luck!
Hello, of I donate plasma cN I still donate blood? What are some locations near Phoenix AZ to donate blood. This would greatly help pay for school.
Hi AJ,
Here’s what I found on the Grifols website about donating blood after donating plasma: “It’s recommended that you wait two to three days after donating plasma before you donate whole blood. And after you’ve donated a unit of whole blood, the recommendation is to wait eight weeks (56 days) before donating plasma.”
A fellow Phoenician! There’s a CSL Plasma location in Gilbert, and two more in Tempe — here are the CSL Plasma locations (just choose Arizona from the drop-down to get local results). Biomat also has some nearby locations, one in Mesa and one in Phoenix. Here are the locations for Biomat (filter for Arizona for local results). I hope this helps!
What kind of physical exam do they do? It would be kind of embarrassing to have to disrobe just to donate plasma.
Hi,
Most people report that the physical is pretty quick and simple — typically the nurses will just check your weight, prick your finger for a small blood sample, take your vitals, and ask you some health questions. The exact routine might vary a little from place to place, but you won’t be asked to disrobe. The article has been updated to reflect this information.
What kind of physical exam do they do? It would be kind of embarrassing to have to disrobe for a physical just to donate plasma.
Where can I make some money selling my blood, I live in Monticello mn
Hi Joe,
It looks like CSL Plasma has a location in Minneapolis. Maplewood, MN (Octapharma) is another option. Talecris has a location in Fridley, MN. Biolife has a location in St. Cloud. You can find additional information by visiting the websites for each of these organizations. I hope this helps!
I live in NYC so all donations are handled by the New York blood centers. I can’t seem to find any that will play for your blood or plasma since what I’ve found is everything runs through them. Any ideas? Anything that you know of in the NYC area?
Hi Steve,
I looked through the location finders of all the major blood banks, but unfortunately I wasn’t able to find anywhere that offered compensation for plasma donation in your area. Sorry I couldn’t bring you better news!
I’d like to donate plasma. I started going through the links but none of them were giving me any nearby locations. granted I may have missed something. I’m in Central NJ. Any idea where a paid plasma location would be? I recall there being some way down closer to Philly, but that’s pretty far away from me. I live closer to the NY side.
Hi,
I did search through all the listed donation centers and tried a couple other resources as well, but unfortunately I didn’t find any donation centers in your local area. If you’d like to just donate plasma without being compensated, there are some options for that (many local hospitals will offer this option) — but I couldn’t find anything that pays. Sorry I couldn’t bring you better news!
I live in Portsmouth, Virginia and was wondering 4 things: 1)which of these places are located in my city 2)which places are near my city
3)which locations generally pay the most to new donors
4)which locations generally pay the most to returning donors
Note: for 3 & 4 I said generally because I noticed that with some their price can vary slightly & I just need a general idea. If possible leave phone numbers alongside the locations you mention but exclude grifols because I’ve been there and they suck. Thanks!
Hi Thor,
Octapharma has a location in Portsmouth (phone number 757-393-9202). PlasmaCare, Inc. (associated with GRIFOLS) has a location in Portsmouth (757-393-1200). KEDPlasma has a location in Bristol, VA (276-645-6035). BioLife has a center in Harrisonburg, VA (540-801-0672). It looks like those are all the donation centers with locations in your state.
Unfortunately, I can’t say too much about 3 and 4 — the average amount will be close to $20-$30, and it doesn’t tend to vary a great deal between new donors and returning donors. In all likelihood, the rates will be reasonably similar across most organizations. I hope this helps!
I have O negative RH negative blood type and was wondering if I should just donate it or if I could get paid for giving my blood.
Hi Christina,
When you donate blood (whether you’re being paid for it or not), what you’re actually donating is plasma and plasma is blood type blind — so you won’t be compensated any more or less based on your blood type. Although you won’t be paid more than someone with another blood type, you should be able to donate to any organization on our list and be paid for it. I hope this helps!
Hi,
I wanted to know which of these companies pay the most as new donors and returning. I currently reside in the San Fernando Valley. I am 5’11 and weigh in at 172lbs.
Thanks for the info. This article is very informative.
Hi Andrew,
It looks like there’s a KEDPlasma location in Reseda, CA (local number 818-201-3800). Biomat, USA (local number 818-344-0204) and Octapharma (local number +1 818 997 6033) both have locations in Van Nuys. Regarding compensation, the KEDPlasma website states that each center has a slightly different compensation schedule and to check with your local center for their current compensation. All three of these organizations have a similarly variable payment policy, so you’ll need to get in touch with whichever center is most convenient to you to find out specific rates.
I’m glad to hear you found the article useful — thanks for writing in!
Hello, I’m currently receiving unemployment but it’s not quite enough to pay the bills. If I donate plasma to my local CSL location and they give out the prepaid card will the unemployment office find out? I’m unsure of whether they notify anyone or place about their donations.
Hi Adam,
It’s unlikely that the donation center will directly notify anyone of your donation (although that may change if you start donating regularly). That being said, I strongly recommend asking your unemployment office beforehand about whether you’re required to report income from donating plasma. The specific rules may vary from state to state — some places will allow you to make a certain amount of money without it affecting your unemployment benefits, and some don’t allow any income at all. Others have specific requirements about what type of income needs to be reported. It would be better to find out ahead of time than to lose your benefits just because you didn’t know. Best of luck!
my blood group are o+ I am 27 years old 5.6 hight 60 kg wait
I want sale my blood any body how want please contact me
Hi Gurpreet,
Based on your weight and age, you should be able to donate most anywhere on our list, as long as you meet the other requirements. I recommend trying the location finder for Octapharma Plasma, Inc., Talecris Plasma Resources, or CSL Plasma, as those organizations have some of the most widespread locations. The location finders are listed in the last section of the post. Best of luck!
Where can I donate for money…I donated in the past many years ago but, I do not think they were doing eating for money back for maybe they were time just trying to find out does anyone know where I can donate some money in the Midlothian Virginia area or surrounding area close by…
Hi Darleen,
You may use the location locator links which are listed towards the end of the post to see exactly which locations are nearest to you. I used them to find places that buy blood in Virginia in general and here were the results: KEDPlasma, Talecris Plasma, BioLife Plasma.
I want to donate my blood. I did sonate ky blood in Thailand before every 4 months and I’ve been did that for 4 years before I came USA so the point is I don’t have ID my visa expired I’m not citizen but I live in Vegas almost 5 years never have drug no tattoos so how can I make money for my blood ? Or I can’t get money for that? I’m waiting your answer thanks
Hi Book,
What form(s) of valid ID do you have?
I don’t have anything but I still have my passport
I had student visa before but now I don’t have anything
I’m afraid no blood bank can take your blood due to your lack of ID.
Thanks for reply my question I will go to blood bank and ask again
I m am from india i rly need money cn u suggest where should I go to donate my blood
Hi Kamal,
In 1996, there was a Supreme Court ruling which has made it illegal to get paid for donating blood in India. I’m sorry but you cannot legally get paid for your blood in India.
i want to donate my o+ ve blood for money am an INDIAN girl aged 22 weight 55 and 165cm hight i would like to join with this and please tell me the procedure to become a part of this and here by am informing you that your conditions and rules i have read and am much suitable for it. hope you will consider me very soon and now am in India ,Kerala state ,Calicut district.
Hi Safleena,
In 1996, there was a Supreme Court ruling banning anyone from being compensated for blood donations in India. Blood demand is greater than supply so there is a black market where blood goes for about $15 per unit. But of course participating is illegal. Sorry for the news. You can read more here.
Hello Will!
Thanks for the detailed information! Was wondering if you know of any decent locations for these kind of donations in southern California as I honestly don’t know the first place to start looking and honestly right now my schedule doenst really allow me time to call up plasma centers to find anything out. Any info, ecen just a good lead would be a huge help!
Hi Jordan,
My pleasure! Included in the last section of the post are now links to each donation centers’ location locator page. You can quickly click the link to see if there are locations near you. I used California for testing and looks like Southern California has lots of blood donation centers.
where can i execute my mission by donating
Hi Kingsley,
You can find a donation center near you here, you can go to a Red Cross donation center (though know it will be sold) or you can contact a local hospital.
Comment i want to sale blood plasima in pune but i dont no the center.my blood group is AB+
Hi Anita,
Any places that takes plasma will take any blood type. Use the location locator for each plasma center listed in this post to find the locations nearest you.
Where in the Orlando can you get paid up to $500 per month for your plasma ?