But how much money can you make, and how do you know which plasma donation center pays the most? To help, I’ve compiled a list of the highest-paying plasma donation centers in the U.S.
Of course, donating plasma is much more than a side hustle. It gives you the chance to truly give back, as our healthcare system always has a need for blood donors. So before we talk about which plasma donation centers pay the most, let’s talk about what plasma is and why it’s so important.
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What Is Plasma and Why Is It Needed?
You might already know that your blood contains white blood cells, red blood cells, platelets, and plasma. The plasma makes up the most significant part of your blood at 55%.
One of its primary purposes is to carry the other blood components through your body. For that reason, it’s a vital component of your blood. However, the plasma in your blood also has other jobs. For instance, it contains antibodies and clotting factors, along with proteins such as albumin and fibrinogen.
The components in plasma are essential because they can help treat severe burns, shock, traumatic injuries, and some rare chronic diseases. In other words, when you donate plasma, you protect the health and safety of people across the world by donating plasma. Now, let’s talk about who can donate plasma.
Who Can Donate Plasma
To qualify for plasma donation, you must go through a strict screening process. There are basic rules for plasma donors, such as:
- Minimum age requirement of 18
- Maximum age limit of 65
- Minimum weight requirement of 110 lbs.
Also, people who have gotten piercings, tattoos, or permanent makeup within the last 12 months may not be eligible to donate, although specific requirements can vary based on the center.
For instance, some centers will require that you wait at least four months after tattoos and piercings, while others require 12 months.
See the eligibility requirements on each center’s website for more details.
When you first sign up, the donation center will ask a series of questions about your health history and the health history of your immediate family members and ancestors.
You’ll also need to provide a photo ID, proof of residency, your Social Security number, and a border crossing card if applicable.
Note that because plasma donation centers are private businesses, ID and other requirements may vary. It’s important to know that your first plasma donation session will take longer than subsequent sessions.
What Are the Highest Paying Plasma Donation Centers?
I’ve gathered information on some of the highest-paying and well-respected plasma donation centers below, to help you in your search.
The pay rate for each company will vary based on client weight (more weight = more plasma), plasma center budget, need, and other factors. Also, all plasma centers have different tiers of pay and various compensation programs. We’ll highlight the basics in each of these summaries.
Not all companies publish their compensation rates, so I’ve estimated some of the pay rates listed below by comparing alternative sources.
1. CSL Plasma
Rate of pay: Between $20 and $100 per visit
CSL Plasma is one of the most prominent collectors of human plasma. The company is headquartered in Boca Raton, Florida, and has over 300 locations worldwide.
When you donate plasma at CSL Plasma, you’ll get paid via a reloadable prepaid card and get points for the company’s rewards program as well.
The pay rate per donation depends on your location and other factors, including the ones mentioned above. You can redeem the rewards you earn from donating for prizes or gift cards.
Look for bonus pay at some CSL Plasma locations as well. For instance, the CSL Plasma website says new clients can earn up to $1,000 in their first month.
2. BioLife Plasma
Rate of pay: Between $30 and $40 per visit
Like CSL Plasma, BioLife Plasma is one of the larger plasma donation centers. They have locations in 35 U.S. states and several locations in most states.
When you donate plasma at BioLife, you’ll get paid with a reloadable BioLife Mastercard debit card.
You can use the debit card to make purchases wherever Mastercard is accepted. Or you can make ATM withdrawals via the card.
There are no fees for ATM withdrawals when you use in-network ATMs from MoneyPass and Allpoint.
As with CSL, BioLife often pays bonus compensation for new members. Also, you may get referral compensation when you refer loved ones who sign up with BioLife.
3. BPL Plasma
Rate of pay: Between $20 to $50 per visit
BPL Plasma has been a leader in the plasma collection industry for over 25 years. The company has plasma donation centers in several states, including:
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- Colorado
- Florida
- Kentucky
- New Mexico
- North Carolina
- Ohio
- Texas
You may earn more money for your donation than what’s listed above, depending on the company’s current promotions and extra bonuses such as referral fees.
There’s no information on the website about how you get paid, but most plasma centers do pay with some type of reloadable Visa card or debit card.
4. Interstate Blood Bank
Rate of pay: Up to $50 per visit
Interstate Blood Bank has dozens of locations primarily located in the Eastern half of the United States and Texas.
They’ve been in business since 1949. Compensation differs based on the location where you’re donating.
Call a location near you to find out details about compensation, bonuses, method of pay, and more.
5. Grifols
Rate of pay: Up to $50 per donation.
Grifols has been in business since 1939. Today, the company has plasma collection locations throughout the United States. While Grifols will collect plasma from any eligible client, they also focus on specialty plasma collection.
For instance, they collect plasma from people who have recovered from COVID and from people who have recently had Tetanus, Rabies, and Hepatitis B vaccinations.
Compensation and other terms may differ for specialty plasma donors compared to that of non-specialty plasma donors.
Talk to representatives at your local Grifols donation location for more information about collection and compensation.
6. KEDPLASMA
Rate of pay: Up to $40 per visit
KEDPLASMA was established in 2004 and currently has over 25 donation centers in the United States.
When you donate through KEDPLASMA, you’ll get compensated via money loaded onto a Wirecard prepaid card. You can also earn rewards with KEDREWARDS.
Each location compensates differently depending on location needs and other specifics. Contact a location near you for more details and for details on the KEDREWARDS program.
See the KEDPLASMA website for answers to common plasma donation questions.
7. Immunotek
Rate of pay: Up to $50 per donation
Immunotek leaders have a combined 150 years in the plasma collection industry.
Currently, the company has 11 locations in the Eastern United States and Colorado, with many more coming soon.
Immunotek says it pays money for plasma donation, though they don’t indicate whether you receive cash, a check, a prepaid card, or another form of money.
However, the site does say that compensation is different based on which center you give at.
As with most plasma donation centers, pay varies based on how much plasma your body gives, the need in the center, and other factors.
8. Octapharma Plasma
Rate of pay: Up to $400 per month
Octapharma Plasma is based in the United States and has over 150 donation centers nationwide.
You can find Octapharma Plasma donation centers in 35 U.S. states. Aside from getting paid, you can join the OctaRewards program and earn points for donations.
Then you can use your points from prizes such as eGift cards and entries into sweepstakes contests. There are extra cash bonuses for new clients, returning clients, and clients who refer others to donate plasma.
See the Octapharma Plasma website for specific details on bonuses and compensation.
9. GCAM Plasma
Rate of pay: $25 to $30 per donation
GCAM (Green Cross America) Plasma has headquarters in South Korea and 12 U.S. locations in five states, including Texas, California, Washington State, Indiana, and Idaho.
There is no information on the GCAM website about the method of payment.
When you donate through GCAM, you might also be eligible for returning donor bonuses and the company’s rewards program.
Through the rewards program, you have the chance to win prizes and more every time you donate.
10. Vitalant
Rate of pay: Rewards Program points and sweepstakes drawings
Vitalant was founded in 1943 and is one of the nation’s oldest blood donation centers. The company has over 120 locations throughout 30 U.S. states.
When you donate plasma through Vitalant, you’ll earn points that you can use to get gifts through the company’s rewards store.
The rewards store has a variety of gifts, including gift cards to popular retailers. Vitalant also occasionally holds drawings for donors who could win cash prizes.
See the Vitalant website or contact your local Vitalant center for more detailed compensation information.
11. American Red Cross
Rate of pay: Unknown
I’ve included the American Red Cross on our list, as it’s one of the most well-known blood and plasma collectors in the country.
The American Red Cross does blood drives at rotating locations. You can also organize a blood drive at your place of employment – or you can find a donation center near you.
The American Red Cross collects all kinds of blood and blood components. However, in my research for this article, I learned that they only collect plasma for people with AB negative or AB positive blood types. The “elite” plasma from AB negative and AB positive patients is eligible for transfusion in any other blood type.
The American Red Cross does not comment on the pay rate for plasma donation or even if they pay. Please contact your local Red Cross to get information on compensation for plasma donation if you are an AB positive or negative blood type.
What To Do When You’re Donating Plasma
Donating plasma takes time. You can expect to be at the plasma donation center for at least 30-60 minutes each time, and your first appointment will take longer.
Why not make some more money while you’re making money donating plasma? Here are some ideas of things you can do to make money while donating.
Hop on to a GPT Site
Get-Paid-To websites, also known as GPT sites, will pay you for completing a variety of activities. For example, when you join
Swagbucks, you’ll get paid for:- Watching videos
- Taking surveys
- Playing games
- Browsing the internet
- Completing deals
And more. The points you earn (called SB) will go into your Swagbucks account, and you can use them to get free PayPal money or gift cards to popular retailers.
Take Surveys
Do you like completing online surveys? There are plenty of legitimate survey sites you can sign up with and get paid to take surveys in your spare time.
For instance, Survey Junkie is a very reputable survey site that has been around since 2013.
You can use the site to take 15-20 minute surveys or join their focus groups for more in-depth influence on consumer products and services.
Taking surveys while donating plasma is convenient since you have to be stationary anyway.
And although you won’t earn a ton of cash by taking surveys or using GPT sites, you’ll make more than the $0 you’d gain by not doing anything during that time.
FAQs
Final Thoughts
Donating plasma can be a great way to earn some extra money and help humanity simultaneously. Consider using the highest paying plasma donation centers if money is your main reason for donating plasma. And don’t forget to earn even more money while you’re waiting, using the ideas mentioned above.
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