William Lipovsky
Short Answer
BioLife’s donor compensation varies by location but generally ranges between $20 and $50 per visit, and you can donate up to twice per week. Below, we detail the plasma donation requirements, process, and payment policy at BioLife Plasma Services.
How Much Does BioLife Pay for Plasma?
The exact amount BioLife pays for plasma donation varies by location, current promotions, and how often you donate.
Compensation is typically about $20 for your first visit and $30 to $50 for your second visit within the week.[1] (BioLife recognizes a week as being Monday through Thursday.)
With two donations a week, that comes to around $200 to $280 per month. It’s best to contact your local BioLife donation center for specific compensation details for that location.
For additional plasma donation options, see our research on plasma donation centers near you and the highest-paying plasma donation centers.
We also have the details on how much plasma donation pays at Interstate Blood Bank, CSL Plasma, Biotest Plasma Centers, KEDPLASMA, and Biomat USA.
Payment Method
BioLife pays donors with the BioLife Debit Card,[2] a prepaid card you can use at any store that takes Mastercard.
It isn’t a credit card, so you can’t charge more than the balance available on the card, but you can use it at an ATM to withdraw cash.[3]
Checking Your Balance
Donors can check their BioLife Debit Card balance at the North Lane prepaid card account management portal.
If you don’t yet have an account, you can register your card or enter the card number and security code to view a record of your transactions quickly.[4] You can also call the number on the back of the card.
Fees
There are no fees to check your balance, but you may pay fees of less than $5 to withdraw cash from an ATM, transfer money to a bank account, or make transactions.[3][1]
Are Earnings Taxable?
While BioLife and other plasma donation centers may not send a form for taxes, plasma donation compensation is considered taxable income and should be reported to the IRS.
The easiest way to report these earnings is to list them under “Miscellaneous/Other Reportable Income” each year.[5]
BioLife Plasma Services Donation Process
Eligibility
Donors at BioLife must be at least 18 years old and weigh at least 110 pounds. (See our list of places where you can weigh yourself for free.)
You should also feel well the day you plan to donate and be in generally good health.[6]
Requirements and Steps
The donation process includes identity and health screenings before the donation itself.
All donors will need to provide the following at check-in:
- A valid, government-issued photo ID
- Proof of address
- Proof of Social Security number, PRC, BCC, or Laser Visa Number.
You’ll also undergo a medical history interview and health screening.
Donors who have consumed alcohol on the day of a planned donation, are taking certain antibiotics, have recently had certain vaccinations, or have certain medical conditions like arthritis may not be eligible to donate.[6]
Find more details in our related research on donating blood for money.
If you pass the medical history check and health screening, a phlebotomist will set you up to donate; the donation process takings about an hour.
You’ll receive payment for your donation immediately at the end of the appointment.[7]
Safety
Donating plasma is generally a low-risk procedure. You might feel weak after donating or feel some pain at the donation site; be sure to eat healthy foods, drink water, and rest well before and after your appointment.
BioLife also recommends avoiding alcohol, tobacco, and fatty foods before and after donating.[8]
I have Rh-negative blood. Can I still donate?
Hello, Lisa! Yes, you can usually donate with Rh-negative blood as long as you meet the other medical screening requirements. Some plasma donation centers (including Biotest, KEDPLASMA, and Grifols) have specific programs for those with Rh-negative blood, which use their donations to help prevent pregnancy complications for Rh-negative women. Best of luck with your donation!
New to this and not computer savvy. Could I just walk in to get questions answered?
Hello, Jim! BioLife Donation Centers typically require an appointment. You may be able to walk in and speak with someone, but it would be best to contact your local plasma donation center by phone. You can visit the BioLife Plasma Services website and click on your state to find your local donation center’s phone number. Best of luck!
I’m a 62 year old male in very good condition. Had a heart attack back in 2008, but other than that and typical heart medications, I’m quite fit and healthy. Does age and medication prevent this type of donation?
If not, what could be the side effects, if any, after the donation? Would the donation prevent me from driving a car soon after?
Hi Harvy,
Your past heart attack and current heart medications will not likely disqualify you from donating plasma at BioLife. According to their site, “In most cases, taking medications does not disqualify you from donating plasma. Your acceptance into the plasmapheresis program mostly depends on the type and severity of the medical condition(s) for which you are being treated.”
Is there a higher compensation rate if you are Rh negative? I thought I read that somewhere, so could that be the difference in compensation rates?
Hi Mary,
We reached out to Biolife and while we haven’t heard back from them yet, we found that some donation companies do pay those who are Rh negative higher rates. We will let you know when Biolife provides us with an answer.
Hi Mary,
Just wanted to provide you with a solid answer to your question. We received word back from BioLife and found that “BioLife does not pay extra for different types of plasma. All source plasma is paid out the same.”
Hi today was my 4th donation at biolife in Hayden an I know the first time was 20 witch I can understand my second time I only received 19 witch was confusing an my last two times I recived 20 again I’m just curious to why all my friends that go there, same donation center recive 50 every time some of my friends have been receiving since day one. Am I doing something wrong?
Hi Malynia,
There’s often some confusion about how much donors are compensated. We contacted BioLife, who told us that the first donation in a week is usually $20, and the second donation in a week can be anywhere from $30-$50 (exact amounts vary based on location). They consider one week to be Monday through Thursday. We updated the article to clear up the compensation difference between a first and second weekly visit.
In Hayden, Idaho, the second donation in one week is $50, which tells me that perhaps the other donors you talked to were referring to their second weekly donation. It sounds like if your schedule permits, donating twice in one week can be very lucrative!
I currently have just signed up to donate at the Oshkosh WI donation center. If I live in that town for college, but don’t have my name on any of the bills that get mailed there, how could I prove my address? Is this one of the places that’s an exception since its a college town? I’m a new donor and never done this before so I wouldn’t want to go there and then not be able to donate.
Amanda,
You’ve asked a great question. Unfortunately, due to the volume of comments that we receive, we’re not able to help with specific, individual requests. I recommend calling the Oshkosh, WI BioLife location and asking them whether or not you’ll need to bring proof of address. When I’ve been in a similar situation myself, I find that bringing in a signed rental contract works too. Since you are in a college town, I imagine that BioLife will have answered this question for students like yourself in a similar situation. I hope this helps!
How long should I wate between each donation. And if I can donate twice a week does that mean wate 7 day from my first visit or 7 days from second visit that week
Hi Keith,
Different plasma donation centers and agencies may have slightly varying rules about the length of time that you need to wait between donations, but typically when donating plasma, you can donate a total of twice per week, with at least 48 hours between each donation — which most commonly means you can donate again seven days after your first donation in a given week (assuming it’s been 48 hours since the second donation). It’s a good idea to contact the specific location you’re interested in visiting if you have any further questions. I hope this helps!
How much for new donors ?
Hi Josh,
BioLife doesn’t publish specific compensation rates online, as the amounts vary among different donation centers. To find out more details, you can contact your local donation center; contact information is provided on the BioLife website when you type in your state and choose the nearest center. I hope this helps!