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.
Hi my self deepak nd i donate to blood for money but i dont know how is doing becuase i have no idea plz sugges to me i realy need to money
Hi Deepak,
A good place to start is the last section of the article, which provides location finders for many of the largest plasma donation agencies in the United States. You can use the location finders to find a plasma donation center in your local area. Best of luck and let me know if you have any further questions!
Hi am looking to sell blood or plasma in NJ. Can’t seem to find any locations. Do you have any recommendations?
Hi Sabrina,
It looks like none of the major nationwide organizations have a location in New Jersey. However, a regional organization called B Positive does have two locations in New Jersey, one in Glassboro and one in Cherry Hill. According to the B Positive website, qualified donors can donate plasma up to twice per week and earn an average of $50 per week in the form of a reloadable debit card. I hope this helps!
Where in the Allentown area can I donate blood and get money for doing so?
Hi Jessica,
The closest donation centers I can find are a CSL Plasma location in Philadelphia, or a Biomat location in Reading. There is also a Biotest plasma center in Dickson City. I hope this helps!
Where can I dontate plasma in Houston Tx zip code 77069
Hi Drea,
Octapharma has a Houston location. CSL Plasma has two Houston locations, one on Highway 6 and one on East Freeway. I hope this helps!
I live in St. Pau, Mn. I’m thinking about donating my blood for money. I do have a rare blood type. So not sure where to go? I see places for plasma . Thank you.
Hi Arlene,
While we use “plasma” and “blood” somewhat interchangeably throughout the article, anytime someone talks about being paid for donating blood, it’s actually plasma that is being collected. The reason for this is that plasma is always broken down into protein products before it is administered to another person. This process prevents diseases from being transmitted from the donor. Whole blood, on the other hand, is sometimes administered without additional processing as a blood transfusion; because of this, whole blood carries a higher risk of spreading blood-borne viruses to the recipients. To discourage donors from lying about their health history on the screening questionnaires, whole blood donation is not compensated. Because plasma is blood type-blind, you can donate through any organization on our list (although you won’t be paid more or less than someone with another blood type). I hope this helps!
Give me address nd contect no i need moeny i want to donate blood
Hi Deepak,
If you can provide me with your zip code, I’ll be happy to help you find the nearest plasma donation center!
Where in Marietta, GA can I give blood for compensation?
Hi Jane,
It looks like there is a CSL Plasma donation center in Smyrna, GA not too far from you. There’s also a KEDPlasma center in Tucker, GA that’s a little farther away. I hope this helps!
i am in baja california mexico is there one out hear?
Hi Jennifer,
Unfortunately, it looks like all of the agencies on our list are limited to the United States, and I was not able to find any plasma donation centers in Baja California. You can always try a Google search for “paid plasma donation in [your nearest major city here]”. Best of luck!
How can i donat rite away? And do u trasport?
Hi Jennifer,
Many plasma donation centers don’t require an appointment, so unless specified otherwise on the agency’s website, you can find a donation center close to you using the location finders we’ve provided in the article and walk in whenever you would like. The first donation typically takes the longest, about two hours or so. I’m not sure what you mean with your last question. If you can clarify it for me, I’ll be happy to help!
Where can I donate blood and get paid,closest New York, 11210
Hi Rubina,
Unfortunately, it doesn’t look like any of the major national plasma donation agencies have a center in your area. However, New York Blood Center does have a Brooklyn location. Donors with New York Blood Center are not compensated monetarily, but there is a Donor Advantage Program where donors earn points that can be redeemed for gifts or gift cards. You can read more about the Donor Advantage Program on the New York Blood Center website. I hope this helps!
Where, Delray Beach Florida,33445
Hi Pete,
It looks like CSL Plasma has several donation centers not far from your location. Here’s the page for the donation center in Margate, FL. Biotest has a location in Royal Palm Beach, FL (read the details about that donation center here). I hope this helps!
I have been diabetic for 11years and when I was in high school trying to donate blood the test results came back a false positive for hepatitis. After that I was deterred from donating. Can I still donate?
Hi Janelle,
If you go to a different organization than the one that deferred you, you should be screened and tested again. As long as those test results come back clean, you should be able to donate. According to the Red Cross, people with diabetes that is well controlled with oral medication or insulin are eligible to donate blood. I hope this helps!
Good Evening,
I’ve been looking for quite awhile now for any donation centers in California near Vacaville, and can only find one in Sacramento as the closest one.
Is there any other center that’s closer to the zip code of 95687 for blood and/or plasma?
Hi Nathan,
Unfortunately, I found the same results that you did — there’s an Octapharma in Sacramento and that’s the closest donation center I could find to Vacaville. Sorry I couldn’t bring you better news!
I was qualified to give plasma at Octapharma in North Charleston until my FINAL “physical” just before actually giving my plasma.
Then I got disqualified because I had had a joint replacement!
What gives???
I went through a two-hour waiting process only to find this out at the very end of my visit.
Hi Diana,
I’m sorry to hear about your frustrating experience at Octapharma! It is up to each blood donation center to determine its donor requirements, and Octapharma’s website states that donors must be “in good health” and that specific medical conditions “may or may not” affect donor eligibility — pretty vague guidelines. I couldn’t find any information from the Red Cross (which has published quite extensive donor eligibility criteria) or Octapharma about joint replacement, so it may be one of those things that’s handled on an individual basis.
What are the limitations to working out or doing physical activity? When can and when can’t I do a workout before or after donating plasma?
Hi Dakota,
There are no restrictions on working out prior to donating blood. Afterward, donors are advised not to undertake any strenuous activity for the rest of the day. By the next day, if you feel 100%, you’re welcome to go back to your normal routine.
Hi..i’m Fred Percy in Kenya,EastAfrica.I wanted to inquire if this initiative is available this way,i would realy love to participate in this process.thank u
Hi Fred,
Unfortunately, I’m really only able to speak to the blood donation programs in the United States. I am not sure about what organizations may be available in your area, but a Google search for “blood donation [your city]” is never a bad place to start. Sorry I couldn’t be of more help and best of luck!
I have been donating blood for over 5 years, and am registered with the National Bone Marrow Registry. I would like to earn money for my blood. I am O+ not sure if that’s rare or not. I have been doing it through OneBlood.org. Do they pay for a donation?
Hi Bettina,
While OneBlood.org does offer some rewards for donors, it looks like the organization does not pay for blood or plasma donations.
All the information you provided under the below captions are NOT for Blood Donation, as they are stated. It is for Plasma Donation.
Most Popular Places to Donate Blood throughout the United States
Getting Paid
How Your Body May React to Donating a Pint of Blood
Age Requirements for Donating Blood (Upper and Lower Age Requirements)
Drug Testing Procedures Prior to Selling/Donating Blood
General Requirements for Blood Donation
Do you have any information on where to get paid for donating blood?
Thank you.
Hi Karen,
We do use blood and plasma somewhat interchangeably throughout the article, as the process is very similar for the person doing the donating. Generally speaking, anytime someone talks about being paid for blood donation, they are talking about plasma donation. Organizations typically do not pay for whole blood donation. This has to do with the way the blood is used: whole blood will sometimes go directly into another person as a transfusion, while plasma will be broken down into protein products. The process of breaking down the plasma helps prevent viruses from being transmitted from the donor. Whole blood donation is not compensated to discourage people from lying about their health history or risk behaviors, which poses a higher safety risk with whole blood donation than with plasma.
How can I find a place to donate blood/plasma for cash only instead of a prepaid debit card? That way I can put it into my account and be able to save up money? Also I got a tattoo in March in a State regulated (MS). Will I still have to wait a year before donating? I can’t really afford to as this has become my last hope in making any money until I can find a real job.
Hi Ness,
As far as the tattoo, you shouldn’t need to wait 12 months since you got the tattoo in a regulated state. The guidelines on tattoos might vary somewhat among organizations, so you may want to call ahead to your local donation center to be sure. Unfortunately, it’s very rare to find a plasma donation center that pays in cash. I was only able to find organizations that use prepaid debit cards. Sorry I couldn’t bring you better news!
HI.currently donate my.blood to bloodwprks I would love to make money as I help others
Hi Theresa,
A little extra money is always a nice thing, especially when it’s for something as important as plasma donation. I hope you can find somewhere on our list that works for you, and let me know if I can help!
Where can I donate blood (O-)locally and get paid for it. My zip code is 56048
Hi Patty,
There’s an Octapharma location in Maplewood, MN. There’s also a CSL Plasma in Bloomington, MN and several others not far from Minneapolis. BioLife has a Mankato, MN location — here’s the link to that center. I hope this helps!