Sonya BatemanShort Answer
Grifols and KEDPLASMA offer the highest possible payments for a single donation (plus promotions like referral bonuses), but it is worth noting that Biotest, BPL, and CSL also offer rewards programs and promotions that can allow donors to earn more than the base payment per donation. Below, we have more information about which plasma donation centers pay the most, as well as the requirements for donating plasma.
Table of Contents
The Highest-Paying Plasma Donation Centers
The highest paying blood plasma donation centers with locations across the U.S. are BioLife Plasma Services, Biotest Plasma Center, BPL Plasma LLC, CSL Plasma, Grifols, Interstate Blood Bank, and KEDPLASMA. While pay structures at each center vary based on donor weight and the number of donations, donors at these centers can earn up to $400 a month or more, with both Grifols and KEDPLASMA offering the possibility of up to $75 for a single donation.
See the table below for a quick comparison of pay rates and promotions, then click any center or scroll for more information.
| Plasma Center | Pay per Donation | Additional Incentives |
|---|---|---|
| BioLife Plasma Services | $20 to $50 | None |
| Biotest Plasma Center | $30 to $45 ($50 for first 5) | $10 first donation bonus; monthly promotions |
| BPL Plasma LLC | $50 | $15 bonus for sixth donation and referral; $60 bonus for eighth donation |
| CSL Plasma | $20 to $45 | Rewards program & periodic promotions |
| Grifols/Biomat USA | $40 to $75 | Referral bonuses; raffle drawings |
| Interstate Blood Bank | $30 to $50 | None |
| KEDPLASMA | $25 to $75 | KEDREWARDS program; referral bonuses |
Grifols/Biomat USA
- How much you can earn: Between $40 and $75 per donation; individual locations also hold raffle drawings and donor referral programs.
- Method of payment:Â Grifols prepaid Visa debit card
- Locations:Â Find your nearest Grifols/Biomat USA donation center; it has locations in Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, North Carolina, Nevada, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin
- Source:Â Grifols plasma donation website
Our previous research has more information about donating blood at Biomat USA (owned by Grifols).
KEDPLASMA
- How much you can earn: $50 for the first donation, $75 for the second donation, and $50 for the next three donations. Subsequent donations will earn $25 for the first donation of the week and $45 for the second donation of the week, from the sixth donation forward. You can earn $400 per month or more, though amounts vary by location and donor weight. KEDPLASMA offers the KEDREWARDS program and individual locations may offer referral bonuses.
- Method of payment: Wirecard prepaid card
- Locations: Find your nearest KEDPLASMA facility; KEDPLASMA has locations in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, Nebraska, North Carolina, Ohio, South Carolina, Texas.
- Source: Customer service representatives
Find more about KEDPLASMA in our related research on how much KEDPLASMA pays for plasma.
BPL Plasma LLC
- How much you can earn: $50 per donation, up to $400 per month; BPL also offers regular bonuses and incentives announced on the BPL Plasma LLC Facebook page, such as a $15 bonus on your sixth donation, a $15 bonus when you refer a friend, or a $60 bonus on your eighth donation.
- Method of payment: Prepaid debit card
- Locations: Find your nearest BPL Plasma LLC facility; BPL Plasma has locations in Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Kentucky, Maine, Missouri, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, and Texas.
- Source: Customer service representatives
Biotest Plasma Center
- How much you can earn: Donation payments vary according to how many donations you make per month, ranging from $30 to $45 per donation. If you’re a new donor, you’ll receive $50 each for your first five donations. You can make up to $400 or more in your first month and up to $350 or more per each subsequent month. Biotest Plasma Center offers other rewards to donors, such as a $10 first donation bonus and other monthly promotions.
- Method of payment: Prepaid Mastercard
- Locations: Find your nearest Biotest facility; Biotest has locations in Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Nebraska, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, and Texas.
- Source: Tweet from Biotest facility in Athens, GA, and call to customer service
BioLife Plasma Services
- How much you can earn: Between $20 and $50 per visit; up to $400 a month
- Method of payment: BioLife Debit Card (prepaid Mastercard)
- Locations: Find your nearest BioLife Plasma Services facility; BioLife has locations in Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
- Source: Customer service representatives and the BioLife Plasma FAQ
For more information, see our research on BioLife Plasma Services donations.
CSL Plasma
- How much you can earn: $20 to $45 per donation depending on weight; CSL also offers periodic rewards and promotions.
- Method of payment: Prepaid debit card
- Locations: Find your nearest CSL Plasma facility; CSL has locations in Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin, West Virginia.
- Source: CSL Plasma’s frequently asked questions page and a call to customer service
Find more information in our research on how much CSL Plasma pays per donation.
Interstate Blood Bank, Inc.
- How much you can earn: Between $30 and $50 for the first two donations; payments for subsequent donations will be based on weight.
- Method of payment:Â Paysign
- Locations: Find your nearest Interstate Blood Bank; it has locations in Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, and Wisconsin.
- Source:Â Interstate Blood Bank’s website and a call to customer service.
Our research has more details about donating blood at Interstate Blood Bank.
If none of the plasma donation centers listed above have locations near you, we also have the details of regional plasma donation centers.
Why Are Some People Paid More Than Others?
Rates may vary according to a number of factors, including the location of the facility, donor weight, and whether the donor is new or returning.
It is illegal to be paid to sell organs; however, when you donate plasma, you’re not legally selling your blood. Rather, you are compensated for your time and commitment to donating. For this reason, new donors often receive higher rates, as the process of donating plasma can take more time for new donors.
Donors with higher body weight may receive higher rates because they can donate more plasma per visit — which also requires more time than the average visit.
Requirements for Donating Plasma
The American Association of Blood Banks (AABB) standards and U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations limit plasma donation to twice in a seven-day period and once in a two-day period. Since the number of times you can donate plasma is restricted, you’ll likely want to make sure you’re choosing the highest-paying donation center in your area. You’ll also want to be sure you meet the donation center’s requirements before visiting.
General Requirements
To donate plasma at most plasma donation centers, you must:
- Be at least 18 years old (19 in Alabama); some donation centers also have an upper age limit around 65 to 70 years old
- Weigh at least 110 pounds (See our list of places where you can weigh yourself for free)
- Have a valid and current government-issued photo ID
- Provide proof of residency
- Have your original Social Security card
Medical Requirements
Donors should be in good general health and feel well on the day of donation. You will need to undergo a pre-screening physical on your first visit to determine whether you are eligible to donate plasma.
There are also some factors that can make you ineligible to donate blood. These include:
- Certain medical conditions: HIV-positive; hepatitis (if infected after age 11); babesiosis; Chagas’ disease; risk factors or a blood relative with Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (mad cow disease)
- Certain medications: Blood clotting or blood thinning medication or isotretinoin (used to treat severe acne); have taken etretinate (Tegison) for psoriasis; injected drugs that were not prescribed by a doctor
- Certain travel experiences: Recent visit to a malaria-risk country; received a blood transfusion in France or the UK from 1980 to the present; or have recently spent significant time outside of the U.S. and/or Canada
- Previous donations: If you have donated whole blood within the last eight weeks or red blood cells within the past 16 weeks, you may need to wait to begin donating plasma. Also, you cannot typically donate to two different plasma donation centers at the same time.
- Personal history: Men who’ve had sex with another man within 12 months; women who’ve had sex with a man who’s had sex with another man within 12 months
- Illegal activities: Due to health risks, you cannot donate if you have exchanged sex for money or drugs.
- Body modifications: Have gotten a piercing or tattoo in the past 12 months in one of the following states: Georgia, Idaho, Maryland, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Hampshire, New York, Pennsylvania, Utah, Wyoming, or Washington, D.C.
You can find a full explanation of blood donor qualifications, including whether a particular condition or circumstance exempts you from donating blood, on the Eligibility Criteria page of the American Red Cross website.
In Summary
Donating at a high-paying plasma donation center like BioLife, Biotest, BPL, CSL, Grifols, Interstate Blood Bank, or KEDPLASMA can allow you to earn some extra cash when you need it. You can expect to earn between $20 and $50 per donation or up to $75 per donation at Grifols and KEDPLASMA. Many centers also offer periodic promotions or rewards programs. Be sure to look over the donation requirements at the center and be prepared to provide proof of residency and other identifying information. Once registered, you can return to the same donation center to earn money for additional donations throughout the month. Keep in mind that payment amounts may vary by location, so it’s a good idea to call your local center ahead of time to verify your full payout.
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Can someone with Rh-negative blood type donate?
Hello, Renee! Yes, you can donate if you have Rh-negative blood. Some donation centers (including KEDPLASMA) even offer specific programs for Rh-negative donors. Best of luck with your donation!
Will the donation center tell me my blood type at the appointment?
Hello, Fran! Your initial screening at a plasma donation center will focus on your vital signs and overall health rather than your blood type; donation centers accept all blood types. However, after a blood sample is taken, you can ask to know your blood type. Best of luck with your donation!
Are all people with Raynaud’s deferred, or can some donate?
Hello, Mel! None of the plasma donation centers we contacted specifically exclude people with Raynaud’s. Except for the prohibited conditions listed in our article, eligibility usually depends on the severity of your condition and which treatments (if any) you are using. It would be best to contact the center you are interested in donating to or complete the initial medical screening to determine whether you are eligible. Best of luck!
Are you able to donate if you have whole blood at a local facility?
Hello, Nicole! To clarify, are you wondering whether you can donate plasma after donating whole blood at a local facility? If so, yes — but you will usually need to wait around eight weeks from the date of your whole blood donation. We have updated our article to include this information.
Hi, I was wondering if I could still donate plasma if I’m taking Metoprolol?
Hello, Darlene! Metoprolol does not appear on the Red Cross’ list of prohibited medications, so you should still be able to donate plasma, as long as you are otherwise healthy and meet the donation criteria.
I have O negative blood….do any plasma centers offer money to donate whole blood?
Hello, Misty! Generally, whole blood donation centers do not offer payment for donations. As explained in our article on how to donate blood for money, the plasma is most valuable to these companies, which is why some are willing to pay for it. However, the plasma donation process is similar to donating blood, so if you are interested in earning money, plasma donation is a good alternative to volunteer blood donation.
What is the upper age limit for donating?
Hello, Judy! There usually is no upper age limit for donating plasma as long as you pass the pre-screening physical and are in good health. We have updated our article to include this information.
Not correct. You must be under the age of 65 to donate.
Thank you for bringing this to our attention, George! We looked into this further and were able to confirm that BPL Plasma and CSL Plasma have upper age limits of 65; however, limits differ by the donation center. For instance, Biomat USA accepts donors up to age 69. We have updated our article to reflect that some donation centers do implement an upper age limit.
Is it wise to donate plasma if you’re having an operation in a week?
Hello, Kevin! Doctors typically recommend stopping blood/plasma donations at least two weeks before your surgery. However, it is best to contact your doctor directly with questions regarding your upcoming operation.