Donating plasma is a good way to make up to $1,000 per month. It helps people who need blood plasma and is a profitable side hustle for you – it’s a win-win for both parties. Plasma is a competitive business, so companies are willing to pay bonuses and ever higher payouts to keep donors.
What is plasma?
Blood plasma is the clear, straw-colored liquid part of the blood that’s left after the red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets, and other cellular components are removed. It consists of water, salts, enzymes, antibodies, and other proteins. The reason blood plasma is desired is that it’s used to create products that help people with certain diseases and blood clotting disorders
How is plasma removed?
The first step is to draw the blood. The plasma is separated from the other parts such as red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets, and other cellular components. The blood is then returned to your body.
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Time commitment to donate plasma
It typically takes between 30 and 90 minutes to donate plasma. So it’s much longer than a blood donation which takes 10 to 15 minutes. Also, note that you will need to donate twice before your plasma can be used by the donation center.
How often can you donate?
You can typically donate twice in a seven-day period. FDA has guidelines on how often you donate plasma based on your weight. The more you weigh, the more you can donate (and hence make more money).
How much will you be paid?
You will be paid up to $50 per donation. The payment could be in the form of a debit card in many cases. Note that you will need to donate twice before you get your payment since it takes two donations before your plasma can be used.
Bonuses for first-time donors
If you live in a big city with a lot of plasma donation centers, consider yourself lucky. Blood plasma is a cut-throat business and the donation centers are generous with bonuses for first-time donors.
You can search for “first-time donor bonus” in your area to find these opportunities. First time bonus could be as high as $1,000 depending on the competition in your area. Plasma donation centers also have incentives to encourage you to donate more often and refer others for a donation.
Which plasma center has the highest payouts in the first month?
ADMA and Grifols have the highest payout in the first month – you can earn up to $1000 in the first month. Note that these payouts change often depending on plasma needs and competition in the local area.
Taxes
Many plasma centers don’t give you an IRS form 1099-MISC at the end of the year. The income from donating plasma is taxable and it’s up to you to file taxes. Every time you get paid for donating plasma, it’s a good idea to set aside some money for taxes so that you are not surprised at the end of the year.
Why should you donate plasma?
Plasma is in high demand. By donating plasma, you are helping others improve their health. You also get compensated for giving plasma.
Highest paying plasma donation centers near me
Octapharma Plasma – Earn Upto $800 per month
Octapharma Plasma has hundreds of locations in the United States. Chances are high that you will find one in your area. A new donor bonus is $250 or high depending on plasma needs in the area and the number of available donors. According to its website, new donors can earn up to $800 in the first 35 days.
Grifols – Earn up to $1000 per month
Grifols is a network of plasma donation centers. It operates under many names such as Biomat USA, Interstate Blood Bank, Plasma Biological Resources, Talecris Plasma Resources, and Grifols. Returning donors can make up to $100 per month. New donors can make up to $1,000 per month.
Saturn Bio – Up to $150 per donation
Saturn Bio has only one location – its Indianapolis office. The first three visits will pay you $100, $150, and $100 respectively. If you are a male with type AB blood, you can make extra money as this blood type plasma is urgently needed.
B Positive Plasma – Up to $800 in the first month
B Positive Plasma has donation centers in the Pennsylvania tri-state area. If you refer another person for a donation, you get $50 per referral. Don’t be fooled by the name – B Positive Plasma accepts all blood types.
CSL Plasma – Make up to $500 per month
CSL Plasma is one of the largest plasma centers in the country. It operates in 9 states. Payments are made in debit cards after your first donation. CSL Pharma also has a rewards program called iGive Rewards which allows you to collect rewards and redeem them for rewards. New donors can receive up to $500 in their first month as a donor and then $40 to $60 every time they donate.
BioLife – Up to $900 per month
Biolife offers up to a $900 bonus for the first month, which makes it the highest-paying plasma donation center in the US. It operates in 28 states, so there’s a good chance that there’s a center near you. Biolife has bronze, silver, gold, and platinum tiers to encourage frequent plasma donations. It also has a referral program that offers $100 for each referral.
BPL Plasma – $75 for every donation
BPL Plasma operates mainly in the southern states. New donors can make up to $300 per month. Donors can make $75 for every donation. The company has a rewards program for existing donors.
KED Plasma – Up to $800 per month
KED Plasma has a loyalty program for regular donors. Payment varies by location but is competitive with other plasma donation centers in a given area. Donors can make up to $800 in the first month and $100 per donation
ADMA Biocenters – Up to $1,000 per month
ADMA Biocenters has donation centers in Georgia, Tennessee, South Carolina, North Carlina, and Louisiana. It offers up to $1000 per month for new donors. ADMA Biocenter has a buddy program where you a referral bonus of $50 for referring friends and family to become donors
Freedom Plasma – Up to $65 per donation
Freedom Plasma operates in 14 states. It pays $45 in the first week and $65 in the second week.
Who can donate plasma
- You must be 18-69 years old
- You must weigh at least 110 lbs
- Must not be pregnant
- If you have gotten tattoos or piercing in 12 months, you are not eligible
- There may be local or state laws that override the above requirements (eg. Nebraska). Similarly, each company has its own requirements for age, weight, and general health.
Preparing for the first plasma donation & what to bring
- Drink a lot of water and eat regularly on the days up to the donation
- Bring your ID card and proof of social security number and address to the location