Donate Plasma: Earn Money. Save Lives. | Octapharma Plasma (2024)

FAQs

What questions do you have to answer to donate plasma? ›

Paid plasma collection in the U.S. can bring $30 to $70 per donation. With incentives, some people can make $400 or more per month. Committed repeat donors who give at the maximum, twice-a-week frequency can sometimes earn up to $1,000 a month, depending on the plasma center.

Pharmaceutical companies often pay around $50 per donation for the pale-yellow blood component, a key ingredient in medications that treat immune disorders and other illnesses.

BioLife Plasma Services is among the top payers in the plasma donation industry. New donors at BioLife can earn up to $900 in their first month through various promotions and bonuses. This high payout is broken down into specific bonuses for each of the initial donations.

Those diagnosed with a serious or chronic illness–like high blood pressure, epilepsy, HIV/AIDS, or a primary immunodeficiency (PI)–are not eligible to donate plasma. Those who have high blood pressure would need to be tested to see what their current blood pressure is at the time of donating.

For most people, donating plasma does not cause any side effects, but some donors can experience fatigue, bruising, bleeding, or dehydration. Additionally, you may feel dizzy or lightheaded. While not typical, fainting can also occur. It's rare, but more serious infections or reactions can occur, which can be treated.

As of Jul 31, 2024, the average hourly pay for a Biolife Plasma in California is $20.60 an hour. While ZipRecruiter is seeing salaries as high as $28.95 and as low as $10.83, the majority of Biolife Plasma salaries currently range between $15.30 (25th percentile) to $19.77 (75th percentile) in California.

After that, our earnings decreased depending on our weight; the more someone weighs, the more they earn, presumably because you can usually give more plasma. For example, my husband passed his eight-donation mark and started making $50 to $60 per visit, while I would only earn $40 to $45 each time.

People burn around 500 calories¹ from a blood or plasma donation as the body uses energy to replace the donation.

How to speed up plasma donation? ›

Plasma donation (plasmapheresis)

There are four major blood groups: A, B, AB and O. Donors who are blood group AB are special plasma donors because their plasma can be given to any of the other blood types. Because of this, AB plasma is frequently in high demand.

Who should donate plasma? The Red Cross urges people with type AB blood to consider a plasma donation. AB is the only universal plasma and can be given to patients of any blood type.

From check-in to recovery, giving plasma for the first time can take up to 2 hours. After that, it takes anywhere from 1 to 1 ½ hours. Check-in: When you arrive at a plasma center, you will check in at the front desk. You will need to show a valid photo ID, proof of address, and proof of social security.

You'll answer a few questions about your health history and places you've traveled, during a private and confidential interview. You'll tell us about any prescription and/or over the counter medications that may be in your system. We'll check your temperature, pulse, blood pressure and hemoglobin level.

All donors must be screened for HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis C at each donation using nucleic amplified testing (NAT), a state-of-the-art method that tests for the DNA particles of the virus. In addition, each plasma donation is tested for antibodies that the body produces in response to a virus.

Ever had any major problems with heart, lungs, liver, or kidneys. Ever been exposed during a medical procedure to a live organ, cells, or tissues from an animal (xenotransplant). In past 12 months, had sexual contact with a person who has hepatitis OR lived with a person that has hepatitis.

Limiting alcohol and caffeine intake and eating a protein- and iron-rich diet in the days before your appointment can help your body prepare for donation. Eating a healthy snack or meal a few hours before your appointment and staying hydrated is also helpful. Do not use nicotine within an hour of your appointment.