Did you know you can make an extra $250 per month ($3,000 per year!) selling plasma?
Yes, believe it or not, you can sell the clear liquid found in your blood for $20-$50 per donation. And before you say that's weird… let’s face it, in 2019 people do some much weirder things to make money these days…
From bagging up their poop and sending it to fecal transplant centers (Yes, this is real) to aimlessly walking around retail stores scanning products, or selling weird things online (Like used underwear) – there certainly isn’t any shortage of ways to make extra money.
However, with a simple as the internet has made it to make extra money, sometimes going a bit “Old Fashioned,” and using tried and true ways, like selling your plasma, might be your best bet.
Here is how you can sell your blood plasma and make upwards of $3,000 annually in the process!
Selling Plasma
When I went to West Virginia University, football games were free to attend as a student. However, the after-parties at the local hotspots were not.
So one day when I was driving down the road from class I saw a medical building that evidently paid people (Students especially) to donate this stuff called “Plasma” for money.
Keep in mind, in 2005 side hustles were not mainstream and filling out a survey on your phone for a couple of dollars here and there simply wasn’t available (Smartphones were just beginning to slowly emerge).
On a whim and in need of $30, I decided to stop by the ugly yellow building that was known to pay adults for selling their plasma.
I had no clue what plasma was, however, after about two hours I had $30 from donating said plasma, a new cash cow!!
How to donate plasma FAQ's:
What is blood plasma anyways?
According to Donating Plasma.org, plasma is;
“The clear, straw-colored liquid portion of blood that remains after red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets and other cellular components.”
Actually, plasma accounts for 55% of your blood and it is the largest single component of human blood. Plasma is used and sold for medical research and to make medical products that help with blood clotting.
Since companies make a profit on plasma, call it the “Plasma Profiteers,” they typically pay somewhere in between $20-$50 per donation for your efforts!
Is Selling Plasma Safe?
Before jumping into the process of what is required to sell plasma, the process for actually selling plasma is pretty straight forward and similar to donating blood.
That being said, sometimes people want to know how safe selling plasma is. Donating your plasma for money is generally regarded as safe.
Plasma donation is a similar process as donating blood, however, the blood is extracted, the plasma is removed and then the blood is then returned to the body.
Common side effects with donating plasma (Similar to donating blood) include:
- Lightheadedness, dizziness
- Bruising around the area where the needle was used
- Reaction to the Citrate which is used to prevent clotting during the donation process
- Full list of possible side effects from donating plasma
How long does donating plasma take?
Typically, depending on whether or not it is your first time donating at a specific donation center, the appointment can last up to two hours after initial health screenings and questions. For planning and all future donations, account for up to 90 minutes after your initial appointment!
Why do they pay you to donate your plasma?
Unlike blood donations, which are typically used to save lives during emergencies, plasma donations are used in a similar manner – but companies make money converting your plasma to pharmaceutical products. The profit bio-pharma companies make using your plasma justifies their compensation for your donation! That being said you can donate your plasma to non-profits without getting compensated!
What is your plasma worth?
According to a recent Xherald article, the blood plasma industry is expected to grow to almost $30 billion by 2023.
The 7% growth prediction from 2019 to 2023 and tells you and me one thing:
Your plasma is worth some money!
(If you don't believe that donating your plasma is worth money, the sheer fact that plasma donation companies offer coupons is enough evidence for me!)
Now that you know how to donate your plasma and that plasma is extremely valuable, it's time to figure out how much you will make by doing so.
Typical plasma donations, basically selling your plasma, can net you:
- $20-$50 per donation
- You can donate up to 2x per week
- Annual maximum earnings: $2,000-$5,200
If you have the ability to donate your plasma 2x per week for a year straight at $50 per donation, you could earn up to $5,200 annually. That being said, the average person can earn $30 per donation.
However, before you donate your plasma, be sure to always see if you can get a coupon by searching, “Donate plasma coupons.” CSL which is a common plasma donation company most use offers incentives to donate/sell your plasma!
Note: According to the CSL Plasma FAQ page, donors can make $400 per month donating their plasma!
Now at this point, you might be wondering, where the heck can you get this process started?
Where can you donate your plasma?
The simplest way to find out where you can sell your plasma to is to get on a trusted search engine such as Google, and simply type:
“Where can I sell plasma?” or “Where can I donate plasma”
A Google Map list like the one below will quickly populate and you can find the contact information for local plasma donation centers near you!
Finding a plasma donation center near you shouldn't be that hard of a process. That being said, there are some plasma donation kingpins (So to speak) that allow you to search for donation centers through their website.
Here is a list of potential companies for donating your plasma:
BioTest Plasma:
Found in the Southeast primarily in 11 states, BioTest allows plasma donors to schedule donation appointments online!
BioLife Plasma
BioLife Plasma donation centers encompass 30 of the 50 states and span all across the United States. Donating with BioLife is simplar to other plasma donation companies and once you become a donor the process for donating is expedited.
You can register using the link to become a donor with BioLife.
CSL Plasma:
Probably the most popular on the list, CSL Plasma offers coupons and incentives for both new and returning plasma donors. Become a donor with CSL here.
Grifols Plasma Donation:
Another company that is known to pay well for your plasma donation is Grifols. You can easily search their website to find a contracted donation center near you such as Biomat Learn about donating and the donation process here.
OctoPharma:
OctoPharma is another pharmaceutical company that will buy your blood plasma. It is simple to find their donation centers near you and they even promote selling your plasma to help save lives (Just look at this photo below):
Most donation centers accept walk-ins and an appointment isn't required. However, calling ahead of time and setting up an appointment can help you save some time if you need to fill out forms online.
Calling ahead will also help you determine if you meet the simple criteria for being a plasma donor!
For a full list of potential plasma donation centers, use this link.
Plasma donation requirements:
In order to be eligible to donate your plasma for cash, you will need to meet the following requirements:
- Adults aged 18-66
- Generally good health
- At least 110 pounds in weight
- Healthy veins in arms to draw blood
- No recent tattoos or piercing
That being said, upon your first intake meeting at a plasma donation center, there are standard donation forms you must complete to ultimately determine if you're eligible to donate your blood to make money!
Step by step plasma donation process:
Here is how to donate your plasma in a step by step format:
- Pre Donation Screening: Prior to donating your plasma you will need complete a pre-donation screening. The first appointment will take even longer due to filling out the required forms and answering health screening questions to decide on your donation eligibility!
- Once you're approved to donate, be sure to plan accordingly. You typically need 90 minutes to donate your plasma.
- In order to donate your plasma, you will need: Valid Identification, Proof of your Social Security Number, Proof of address (Bring a pay stub or previous W-2).
- Once you're approved as a donor and you have brought the correct identification, the next step when donating your plasma is to show up at your appointment on time.
- According to the Donate Plasma FAQ, donating your plasma is similar to giving blood. A needle is placed into a vein in your arm and your plasma is collected through a process call plasmapheresis. Your plasma is separated from the red blood cells and other cellular components then returned to your body with a sterile saline solution.
- You're compensated. Depending on which company you donate plasma with, you will get compensated for your donation. Some locations that accept plasma donations pay with gift cards, cards where money can be added, check, direct deposit and so on!
Alternatives to selling plasma!
If you're feeling wary about donating any sort of bodily fluid – maybe you're scared of needles or for whatever other reason – you can make money other ways.
A simple way to make money is to fill out surveys during idol or unproductive time, walk dogs, or “Sell your skills” as a service.
Check this list out for a full list of ways to make $500 fast!
Want to make money with surveys instead?
If donating your plasma isn't something you're excited about, but you want to make money on the side, consider using Survey Junkie to make extra money in your spare time!
Final thoughts on plasma donation:
There are plenty of ethical ways to make money out there and in my opinion, donating your plasma is one of them.
While the thought of possibly donating some of your bodily fluids for compensation doesn't have the most pleasing ring to it, selling your plasma goes to a good cause.
Most of the pharmaceutical products that are created with your plasma donation are used to fight rare blood clotting diseases.
The companies that you donate your plasma do make a profit off your plasma, which is why you're compensated in the first place.
If you're considering donating your plasma, imagine what you could do with an extra $50 per week ($200 per month or $2,400 per year):
- $2,400 can pay off your student loans
- You could use the extra $50 per month to increase your emergency savings fund
- $200 a month invested at 8% for 10 years is $35,000
- Or you could go out to eat 1x per week
No matter what you decide to do, if you want to make some money and contribute to a good cause by donating your plasma, this guide should have helped you!!
Question: Have you ever donated your plasma for money?
Donating Plasma Note: If for some reason you would rather just donate your plasma instead of selling it, you can do that by donating plasma to the American Redcross.
Josh writes about ways to make money, pay off debt, and improve yourself. After paying off $200,000 in student loans with his wife in less than four years, Josh started Money Life Wax and has been featured on Forbes, Business Insider, Huffington Post and more! In addition to being a life-long entrepreneur, Josh and his wife enjoy spending time with their chocolate lab named Morgan, working out, helping others with their debt and recommend using Personal Capital to track your finances.