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 you donate plasma if you have had cancer. I had breast cancer and have been in remission for,almost 2 years.
Hi Cheryl,
We found that most people who’ve had cancer cannot donate plasma for five years following cancer treatment. People who had leukemia, lymphoma, or Hodgkin disease are usually never allowed to donate blood or plasma, regardless of the years since their cancer treatment.
Hi,
Do you know of any donation centers in Delaware that will pay for plasma. I have been looking, but I am unable to find any.
Hi Dave,
I researched this for you and was unable to find any donation centers in your state that pay for plasma donation. I am not sure how close you are to Philadelphia or Baltimore, but there are quite a few in these locations.
Where do they donat in Nigeria
Hi John,
I’m sorry, Nigeria is not something we explore in this article.
So how do I got about in regards of gettingng paid for the blood? I just ask them randomly? Sorry it seems unclear to me.
Find a donation center that’s near you, and then call them to make an appointment. They will let you know what you will need to do or bring to your appointment. They can also provide you with information on payment.
I dont see any centers in Longisland, NY;
Do you have any idea on them??
Hi Joey,
The best way to find a location near you is to click on the links provided in the article. They are located in the Most Popular Places to Donate Blood throughout the United States section. Good luck!
Hi I live in Taunton MA and need to know where I can donate blood near me for cash. I cant seem to find one. And I tried the bloodbath finder and the only one near me that keeps coming up is red cross in raynham ma but I didn’t think red cross pays for ure blood and I need money ASAP for rent currently jobless and looking. Thanks
Jen,
Unfortunately, due to the volume of comments we receive, we are not able to help with specific, individual requests. If you’ve used the blood bank finder and haven’t come up with a location near you, it’s possible that there are no centers quite close to you. I do see a Viacord in Cambridge, but that might be too far for you to go. Sorry I couldn’t bring you better news!
Hi Jen,
If you’re interested in donating blood or bone marrow for money, please check out LeukoLab.com. We just opened in Quincy and are actively recruiting for healthy individuals to join our Paid Donor Program.
First step is to fill out a New Donor Screening Form on our website and if you qualify one of our staff will contact you over the phone to discuss next steps.
We pay at $35-200 for whole blood depending on volume taken; we pay between $200-450 for bone marrow; and we pay $200-350 for white cells (as well as a special, mobilized white cell collection that pays up to $1,600 but is very difficult to qualify for).
We hope to hear from you!
Hi I dont have a car right now so it would be hard getting to Quincy
Where are u located
Ameliha, LeukoLab in Quincy is located in the Crown Colony Office Park at 500 Congress St, Suite 1-A.
Our CA location is in Alameda at 1301 Harbor Bay Parkway, Suite 200.
First step is to fill out a New Donor Screening Form online to determine eligiblity.
Thanks for your interest in LeukoLab!
Cheers,
Josh
I am a 59 yr old male, aprox 225 lbs. I had a DVT 8 weeks ago and am presently taking Eloquis, 5mgs 2x daily. Would that negate my ability to sell plasma
David,
Since plasma donation policies will vary by location and company, I recommend contacting your local plasma donation location personally to ask them specific questions about your eligibility. They’ll be able to give you the most accurate information. I hope this helps!
I am in New York City. I would like to know where I can donate blood or plasma in New York. Thank you
Hi Nikkita,
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 numerous locations in New York City. 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!
I can’t find any places close to me that I can donate blood for money. I live in Banning, ca 92220.
Sandra,
It looks like the closest blood donation centers that pay for blood are the Octapharma Plasma and GCAM (Green Cross America) centers in San Bernardino. You can use the Octpharma Plasma website to find a location; same goes for the GCAM website. I hope this helps!
Hello sr,
Where can i donate the blood and earn money.
I live in Jabalpur MP.
Dinesh,
Thanks for your question! Though our article focuses on blood banks in the United States, there are blood banks in India under the management of the India Blood Bank Society. I used the blood bank locator on the India Blood Bank Society site to search for locations in Madhya Pradesh; unfortunately, there were no locations found. You can use the India Blood Bank Society’s blood bank locator to search for blood banks in other states in case you’re visiting. I hope this helps!
I’m looking to donate and get paid for blood, just blood not plasma. Any place in my area for this.
Hi Nancy,
Unfortunately, due to the heightened risk of transmission of diseases through whole blood donation, whole blood donors are not compensated like plasma donors. 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.
Comment
how do I donate and get paid in Ghana
Hi Godfred,
Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to find out anything about donating plasma for compensation in Ghana. It seems that this practice may not be legal in Ghana or there are no large plasma donation agencies that offer this service. I’m sorry I couldn’t bring you better news!
i donet my blood for money my blood group is ab negitive……………..
Hi Rahul,
If you’re looking to get started with plasma donation, a great place to start is with the location finders towards the end of the article. These links will help you find out whether there are donation centers in your area for each of the major plasma donation agencies that we cover in the article. Best of luck, and let me know if I can answer any further questions!
Why is there so much backlash, against purchasing blood wholesale, from folks? Do you think this will ever change, so more money came be generated from strictly blood donations, and not just plasma? what needs to change, in order for that to happen?
Hi Richard,
The concern about compensating donors for whole blood is due to the risk of patients becoming infected with blood-borne diseases. Certain behaviors and activities, like getting a tattoo or piercing in a non-professional setting or visiting certain countries, among others, can greatly increase the risk of blood-borne diseases. Offering compensation for whole blood donation could encourage donors to lie about their risk behaviors, which heightens the possibility of infected blood being accepted and brought into hospitals. On the other hand, plasma is always broken down into protein products before it is administered to a patient, which means that the risk of transmission is much lower. Because of this, donors are compensated for plasma donations but not for whole blood donations. The only way the current system would be likely to change would be if there was a 100% guaranteed, foolproof method of screening for all blood-borne diseases in whole blood as soon as it’s donated — but such a development isn’t likely to come about any time soon. I hope this helps clarify!
Hiii i wnna donate fr money ……but i am live in egypt … can you tell me what i can do???
Hi Basem,
Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to find out any specific details about donating blood or plasma in Egypt. The Egyptian National Blood Policy states that “[i]n 1999 MOH&P Decree No. 25 prohibited the collection of blood from paid donors in all government and private blood banks.” However, it’s not clear if there are opportunities for any form of compensation for plasma donation. I was not able to find any such opportunities, but it may be worth trying a quick Google search for “paid plasma donation [your town here]” — that should tell you very quickly if there are places where you can receive any kind of reward for donating plasma in your area. I hope this helps!
I want sell my blood o+ for money.I am in nagapattinam town city.my contact no:9514232450.
Hi Senthamizhselvi,
Since plasma is blood-type blind (and plasma is actually what you’re paid to donate — not blood), your O+ blood type won’t affect your compensation rate or ability to donate at any of the plasma donation agencies on our list. You’re welcome to use the location finders towards the end of the article to find a donation center in your area. (It is worth noting that the agencies we’ve detailed here only have donation centers in the U.S. — if you’re in the Nagapattinam in Tamil Nadu, different requirements and regulations will apply, so you’ll need to research whether compensation for blood or plasma is legal in your region.) I hope this helps!
Hi,
I just heard back from the hospital that asked me to donate platelets and they said, “It is against the law in the United States to pay donors for their blood or organ donations as it puts the safety of patients at tremendous risk.”
Any thoughts on this?
Thanks,
David
Hi David,
The hospital that you spoke to is entirely correct — monetary compensation is never given in exchange for whole blood or organ donation (with extremely limited exceptions). This is because whole blood is sometimes administered directly to another individual in the form of a blood transfusion, so there’s a high risk of donors potentially lying about their risk behaviors and health history and therefore infecting the patients who receive their blood. These restrictions, however, don’t apply to plasma, because plasma is always broken down into protein products before it is administered to another individual. This process breaks down potential viruses and infections that could otherwise be transmitted from the donor, so the risk of patients being infected with a blood-borne disease through plasma is low to nonexistent. We do use the terms “blood donation” and “plasma donation” somewhat interchangeably throughout the article for ease of reference, since the process is fairly similar for the donor and many people still think of it as blood donation (even if what they’re actually giving is plasma). I definitely apologize if the article caused any confusion with the terminology!
Hi,
Being a Canadian Citizen living in Canada. 70 years of age, male. Able to donate in Canada for $. If yes where. How much? If no, where possible in the U.S.
Thanks for reading
Hi Hans,
It looks like there are multiple agencies that offer compensation for plasma donation in Canada, just like there are in the US. One such organization is Canada Plasma Resources. However, unfortunately, this agency only accepts donors up to 61 years of age. The eligibility requirements for donors will vary by each agency, as will the compensation amounts. To find more plasma donation agencies in your area, you can try a quick Google search for “paid plasma donation [your city here]”. This should provide you with some local options — just be sure to check the eligibility requirements. I hope this helps!
I live in Northwest Indiana, where can I go to give for sale blood/plalets
Hi Debra,
There are quite a few organizations that have donation centers in Indiana. Octapharma has locations in Evansville, South Bend, Indianapolis, and Terre Haute. CSL Plasma has a location that will be opening soon in Hobart, IN. Interstate Blood Bank has a location in Hammond, and Biomat has a location in Merrillville. I hope this helps!
Are there any donation centers that offer pay in New Jersey?
Hi Alex,
It looks like none of the major nationwide plasma donation agencies 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!
Hi I am looking to sell blood or plasma in New York, I’ve been looking for locations but can’t seem to find any around me. Would you happen to have any suggestions?
Hi Joanne,
KEDPlasma does have a location in Williamsville, NY. Additionally, New York Blood Center has a number of New York locations. 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!