Donate Plasma for Money [2024] Donating, Why You Shouldn’t. Or Should!

You’ve probably heard of donating blood, something that 6.8 million Americans do each year. 

But what about donating plasma? It’s similar in that it’s safe, easy, and helps people survive medical emergencies.

Here’s where donating plasma is different: You can get paid to do it!

In this article, I’ll describe what it’s like to donate plasma for money. 

How much can you make? Is it really a good idea? And what alternatives are there for earning some extra cash?

Below, I’ll answer all those questions. That way, you can make an informed decision! 

How Much Money Can You Make Donating Plasma?

You can make hundreds of dollars by donating plasma. Don’t believe me? Then check out these offers from CSL Plasma, one of the world’s largest plasma collectors:

• You can receive $100 for your first donation
• You can earn $500 plus during your first month
• You can earn additional loyalty points through a rewards program

Another plasma collector, BioLife, says you can earn up to $900 as a new donor. 

Be aware that compensation varies, and it depends on several factors, including:

• How much you weigh (this determines how much plasma can be taken)
• The state you live in
• The plasma collector you visit

You’ll probably end up earning $50 – $75 per visit. And according to the American Red Cross, you can donate up to 13 times a year. 

Let’s do the math: 13 X $75 = $975 

You won’t be getting rich, but that’s not a bad annual haul. (Plus, first-timers often get a bonus!) 

*Note: The American Red Cross does not pay for blood or plasma donations – although they’ll occasionally give away gift cards as a bonus. 

So, if you want money for your donations, you’ll have to visit a private plasma company. 

How to Donate Plasma for Money

Are you looking to donate plasma for money? Then follow this five-step process:

1. Find a plasma collector near you. Internet search engines should make it easy! 
2. Show up for your appointment. Make sure you bring any paperwork that the donation center requests (a government-issued form of identification is often required). 
3. Undergo a basic health screening. You’ll have to answer some questions about your medical history, and a staff member will check your vitals.
4. Donate. Your blood will be drawn, a machine will separate out the plasma, and the blood will be returned to your body. Meanwhile, you’ll be chilling – reading a book, listening to music, or whatever! It usually takes about an hour.
5.  Wait 10-15 minutes before leaving the facility. This is a precaution to make sure you’re fully hydrated and safe to head home. 

You can expect your first donation to take around 2 hours because you’ll need to give them all your information. Returning visits are quicker, generally lasting between an hour and an hour-and-a-half. 

Requirements for Donating Plasma

Most people can donate plasma for money, but not everyone.

Before booking an appointment, make sure you meet these requirements:

• You’re 18 or older (except for a few states that allow people ages 16-17 to donate with parental presence and permission).
• You’re in good overall health.
• You weigh at least 110 pounds.
• You pass the on-site medical screening.
• You test negative for HIV, hepatitis, and other viruses that spread through the blood.

Why You Shouldn’t Donate Plasma

Many people decide to donate plasma for money – but it’s not like it’s a total no-brainer. There are genuine reasons to think twice before donating.

First of all, it’s worth remembering that the process takes time. 

You have to start by finding a plasma location near you and making an appointment, which will require a bit of research. Then, there’s the time it takes to travel back and forth to the donation center. Add to that the 1-2 hours you’ll spend there, and you’re looking at a pretty serious commitment. 

Sure, $50 – $75 per donation sounds pretty good – but it’s not like it’s free money. You’ll be spending 3-4 hours of your time to get that compensation!

And then there are the potential side effects to consider.

Now, don’t get too alarmed. For healthy adults, donating plasma is considered completely safe, and most people don’t suffer at all. 

But potential side effects include:

• Fatigue
• Bruising
• Bleeding
• Dehydration
• Dizziness
• Fainting
• Infections (these are rare – and often treatable)

Alternatives to Donating Plasma for Money

Does it seem like your only money-making option is to donate plasma for money? 

Well, I have some good news. There are plenty of other ways to boost your income!

Here are some great alternatives to donating plasma – none of which involve undergoing a medical exam or getting a needle stuck into your arm!

Taking Surveys

Consider signing up for online survey platforms. The pay isn’t great – expect to make just a few dollars a day – but the “work” is super easy.

The key is to find a reputable survey site. I’d recommend Survey Junkie, MyPoints, and KashKick– all of which are known to actually pay participants. 

Be sure to check out this complete list of surveys that pay cash instantly and this review answering the question, “Is Apex Focus Group legit?” for more ways to earn money with suveys and focus groups. 

Playing Games

Getting paid to play games might sound totally unrealistic, but it’s actually easy to do. 

There are two main ways to play online games for money:

1. Join a platform that offers multiple paid games. Mistplay is probably the most famous option, but there are other platforms out there, including Lucktastic and Rewarded Play. There are also general “get paid to” (GPT) sites like InboxDollars that pay you to play games as well as complete other online tasks. 

2. Find individual games that offer real cash prizes. Bingo games like Blackout Bingo and Bingo Cash offer cash competitions. And if you’d rather hit the “virtual lanes,” give Bowling Battle a try. Learn more with this Bowling Battle review.

Some games send out cold, hard cash, while others pay in gift cards. Learn more about where to earn gift cards by playing games and how to get a free DoorDash gift card.

Here are more games to play to win money:

• Blackout Bingo (read “Is Blackout Bingo legit?“)
• Bubble Buzz (read “Is Bubble Buzz legit?”)
• Bingo Cash (read full Bingo Cash review)
• Solitaire Clash (read “Is Solitaire Clash Legit?”)
• FreeCash (read “Is Freecash Legit?”) 

Earn Cash Back

Did you know you can get paid to go shopping? It sounds insane, but it’s true. Thanks to cash-back platforms and apps.

The premise is simple. You spend money with certain brands, and then the platform (or app) gives you back some of the money. 

Of course, if you go on a crazy shopping splurge, you’ll still come out behind. But if you’re responsible enough to only buy items that you were planning to purchase anyway, this is basically a way to earn “free money.”

Upside, Rakuten, and Fetch are three of the biggest cash-back platforms. But then, there are also other ways to earn cash by using an app.

Check out this list of apps that pay cash.

Get a Side Hustle

Free money is nice, but sometimes it’s easier to increase your income the old-fashioned way: by getting another job.

Luckily, you won’t have to go through a grueling hiring process. Nowadays, you can use the internet to find gig work with just a few clicks!

Interested in delivery driving? Then, sign up for DoorDash. Learn how you may be able to get off the DoorDash waitlist. 

Rather do some babysitting or pet sitting? Then Care.com is the site for you. 

Whatever your preference, you can probably find an app or platform that will help you land work. And if you want to consider all your options, you can check out this guide on how to make $20 fast. 

Oh, and don’t worry – you probably won’t have to work your tail off. Some well-paying jobs are a total piece of cake. Don’t believe me? Then, read this list of easy jobs that pay well.

And if you’d like to try out new products for free, learn about Nike product testing and Adidas product testing.

Lower Your Expenses

Saving money is as important as making money – and it’s often way easier! 

Do you know what’s an especially easy way to save? Lowering your bills with Rocket Money.

The Rocket Money app allows you to easily manage your subscriptions and cancel the ones you don’t want. It can also negotiate with utility companies to lower your bills. 

It might not seem like much, but imagine. A canceled subscription here, a lowered bill there – and before you know it, you’ll have saved way more than you could ever earn by donating plasma!

Invest

If you’ve already got some money set aside, there’s an obvious way to make it grow: by investing.

When you invest your money, you’re always taking a chance – but some investments are way safer than others. 

Want to make sure you come out ahead? Then, try buying a certificate of deposit (CD) or investing in bonds. You’ll earn interest, and your money should be guaranteed by the federal government.

If you want to make serious money, you’ll have to try something riskier, like the stock market or real estate. Luckily, there are platforms that make the investing process easier. I’d recommend Vanguard or Robinhood for buying stocks and Groundfloor for getting started in real estate. 

For more money-making opportunities, check out this complete guide on how to make 10K fast. 

You can also make money fast with these banks with immediate sign-up bonus.

Commonly Asked Questions About Donating Plasma for Money  

Donating Plasma for Money?

If you’re looking for another source of income, you can donate plasma for money. There are plasma collectors around the country, and some of them pay $900 for your first month as a donor. But that’s on the high end. In general, expect to earn $50 – $75 per donation. 

Highest Paying Plasma Donation Center Near Me?

BioLife is one of the highest-paying plasma centers, offering new donors up to $900. To see if there’s a BioLife clinic in your area, just head to the official BioLife website and enter your zip code. 

How Much Money Do You Get for Donating Plasma The First Time?

You can make some serious money as a first-time plasma donor. One private plasma collection company, BioLife, offers new donors up to $900. And at CSL Plasma, you can expect to earn over $500 during your first month. 

Is Donating Plasma a Good Way to Make Money?

Donating plasma can be a good way to make money because it’s easy, safe, and relatively lucrative. But there are downsides. For one thing, it can be time-consuming (expect each appointment to last around 1-2 hours). There’s also a small chance of side effects like dizziness and dehydration. 

Which Plasma Donation Pays the Most? 

BioLife seems to be the most lucrative plasma donation center, offering new donors $900 for their first month of donations. CSL Plasma also has a generous initial offer, promising new donors $500+ in their first month. 

How Often Can You Donate Plasma?

According to the American Red Cross, you can donate plasma once every 28 days. That means you can give a total of 13 donations in a year. 

How Long Does it Take to Donate Plasma?

The American Red Cross says that it takes, on average, 1 hour and 15 minutes to donate plasma. But if you’re a first-time donor, you can expect the appointment to take longer due to the pre-donation health screening.

Where Can I Donate Plasma for Money?

You can donate plasma for money at private plasma collectors like BioLife and CSL Plasma. Both of these companies have locations around the country, and you can make your first appointment online.