How To Make Money Donating Plasma

Do you want to learn how to make money donating plasma? Plasma is the liquid portion of your blood and is important for many functions in the body. Plasma helps people with all kinds of medical conditions and can be a life-saving act, which is why there are hundreds of donation centers around the United…

Do you want to learn how to make money donating plasma?

Plasma is the liquid portion of your blood and is important for many functions in the body.

Plasma helps people with all kinds of medical conditions and can be a life-saving act, which is why there are hundreds of donation centers around the United States paying people to donate their plasma.

In this article, I’ll go over how to make money donating plasma, and you will learn:

What is plasma
How much you can get paid for donating plasma
Where to donate plasma
Who is and is not eligible to donate plasma
How long it takes to donate plasma

Recommended reading: How To Make $50 A Day

Below is what you need to know about making money donating plasma.

What is plasma?

Plasma is the liquid part of your blood. It is mostly made of water but also has proteins, electrolytes, hormones, and waste. Plasma’s job is to carry nutrients, hormones, and waste to and from cells. It helps keep blood pressure and pH balance in check. Plasma also carries antibodies, which help keep your immune system strong.

How much do you get paid to donate plasma?

The amount you get paid for donating plasma varies depending on where you’re donating plasma. Also, some donation centers will give bonuses for first-time donors or for people who donate a certain number of times.

On average, donors can receive between $20-$50 per donation session.

What is the plasma donation process?

Donating plasma is pretty easy and has just a few steps. First, you need to pass a health check to make sure you can donate (I’ll explain this more later). If you pass, you can start donating. You’ll sit in a comfy spot where you can watch Netflix, listen to music, or use your iPad or phone.

Then, a needle is inserted into the vein in your arm and blood gets drawn into a machine. This machine separates plasma from other blood components and then sends the remaining blood components back to your body. The process takes about 1-2 hours and donors are provided with fluids and snacks to get their energy levels back.

Who can donate plasma?

To be eligible to donate plasma, you must:

Be in general good health
Weigh at least 110 pounds
Be between the ages of 18-69
Pass a health screening
Not have HIV or Hepatitis

Who cannot donate plasma?

Not everyone can donate plasma. You aren’t eligible to donate plasma if you have:

Tested positive for HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis, or other blood-borne infections
Recently gotten surgery, received a blood transfusion, or gotten tattoos or piercings in a specific timeframe
Have high blood pressure, low iron levels, are pregnant, or breastfeeding

Best Places To Make Money Donating Plasma

Here are 5 places you can donate plasma.

1. CSL Plasma

CSL Plasma is one of the common donation centers and you’ve likely seen one in your neighborhood. To get started donating with CSL Plasma, you need to bring a photo ID, social security card, and proof of residency (a piece of mail postmarked in the last 60 days, current lease, or utility bill will work).

You also want to make sure you drink plenty of water, eat a meal, and get a good night’s sleep before your visit. You can check here to find the closest donation center near you.

Benefits of donating through CSL Plasma include:

You can get up to $100 for your first donation (depending on the location)
Your payment is loaded to a prepaid card and can be used right away
Free WIFI while completing the plasma donation

With over 300 CSL Plasma locations, you’ll likely find a donation center near you. If you cannot find a CSL Plasma center in your area, try out the other donation centers listed below.

2. BioLife Plasma Services

BioLife Plasma Services is a plasma donation center that pays donors for their plasma.

To get started donating with BioLife, sign up on their website to become a donor. This is where you’ll create an appointment for your first donation session. At your first appointment, you will go through a health screening where your vitals will be measured, and receive a brief physical exam.

BioLife is a little different from other plasma donation centers because this company also has a loyalty program. This loyalty program rewards frequent donors and provides ways to earn points toward rewards like gift cards, charitable donations, or additional funds. You can earn points by donating plasma, referring other donors, donating seven times in one calendar month, donating for three consecutive months, and donating for six consecutive months.

3. Grifols Plasma

Grifols Plasma is a plasma donation center with over 300 donation centers in the U.S.

To get started donating plasma at Girfols, you will need to fill out a form here and learn about the donation process, including the eligibility criteria. At your first donation, you need to bring a photo I.D., social security card, proof of current address, and a list of medications you’re taking.

All Grifols Plasma locations have free WIFI access for donors, so you can watch Netflix or browse the web while donating plasma. Grifols has a few tips for successful plasma donation including:

Limiting caffeine on the day of donation
Not drinking alcohol the day of or the day before the donation
Drink at least 12-24 ounces of water 60 minutes before your donation
Avoid foods high in saturated fat (burgers, chips, pizza) the night before your donation
Avoid tobacco use
Get a good night’s rest the night before

4. Octapharma Plasma

Octapharma Plasma is a popular plasma donation center with over 190 locations around the United States.

Octapharma Plasma works similarly to the other plasma donation centers mentioned above. Octapharma Plasma also has a loyalty program called OctaRewards to entice donors to donate plasma. This rewards program lets you earn points for donating plasma, referring your friends, reaching new status levels, having a birthday, and more. Your points are eligible for free gift cards.

Find your local Octapharma Plasma donation center by entering your zip code here.

5. DonatingPlasma.org

DonatingPlasma.org is not a donation center, but a website where you can find all kinds of plasma donor resources and locations to donate plasma. With over 1,000 plasma donation centers in the United States, you can probably find a plasma donation center near you.

Find a plasma donation center near you by entering your zipcode here.

Frequently Asked Questions

Below are common questions on how to make money donating plasma.

How much money do you get for donating plasma the first time?

The amount of money you make from donating plasma for the first time depends on the donation center. Also, different donation centers have promotions going, so you need to check that as well. First-time donors may expect to make anywhere between $20-$100 for their first donation.

Is donating plasma a good way to make money?

Donating plasma can be a good way to earn extra money while also helping out your community. You can donate plasma up to twice a week, which can provide a steady source of side income.

Who pays the most for plasma?

CSL Plasma and BioLife are the most popular plasma companies and are known for giving the most money to donors. These donation centers may also give bonuses to first-time donors, frequent donor rewards, and other special promotions.

How often can you donate plasma?

There are rules to how often you can donate. In the U.S., you can donate 1 time in 2 days and up to twice a week. This is because your body needs time to replenish plasma levels.

This means if you donate on Monday, you can’t donate again until Wednesday or after.

Is it safe to donate plasma twice a week?

The FDA recommends donating at most twice a week. If you donate plasma more than this, you may experience side effects like fatigue and dehydration.

What would disqualify you from donating plasma?

Certain things will disqualify you from donating plasma including having medical conditions like HIV, Hepatitis, or other blood-borne infections. Recent tattoos or piercings within the last 12 months can also make you ineligible for donating plasma. Low or high blood pressure, low iron levels, and certain medications can make you ineligible for donation.

What are the downsides of donating plasma?

The downsides of donating plasma include potential dizziness, lightheadedness, fatigue, and dehydration. This is also a time commitment that takes 1-2 hours each time you donate plasma. If you don’t like needles, that’s another downside.

Does donating plasma hurt?

Donating plasma feels similar to getting your blood drawn for routine labs or donating blood. When the blood is returned to your body, you might feel a tingling sensation.

How long does it take to donate plasma?

Donating plasma takes about 1-2 hours each time, with the first appointment for a new donor being the longest because of the initial health screening and paperwork.

Does the American Red Cross pay for plasma?

The American Red Cross does not pay donors for plasma donation. Instead, they focus on blood donations and do not compensate donors for this donation.

Why do you get paid for plasma, but not blood?

Donating plasma needs special equipment and takes more time, so centers pay donors for their plasma. Blood donation is simpler and doesn’t need as many resources, so it’s easier to get volunteer donors.