How Much Do Egg Donors Get Paid?

Egg donation gives people a chance to build their families when they otherwise can’t. There are two ways you can donate eggs. One is bank donation, in which your eggs are frozen and stored until needed. The other is fresh cycle donation, in which your eggs go to specific intended parents.

It’s a great way to help others, but it’s totally reasonable to consider the financial compensation. After all, egg donation is a serious commitment of time and energy, and it presents some health risks.

How much can you get paid for donating eggs?

Egg donors in the U.S. typically earn $10,000 to $50,000 per cycle, depending on the type of donation they choose. Rachel Goldberg, an infertility counselor in Los Angeles, told GoodRx Health that compensation varies. Bank donations average between $10,000 and $20,000, while fresh cycle donations can pay $20,000 to $50,000. In rare cases, compensation might be as low as $5,000 or as high as $100,000, depending on several factors, she said.

Here’s an overview of egg donation compensation in different regions of the country:

What factors affect how much you can get paid for egg donation?

Several factors affect how much you can earn as an egg donor:

1. Previous success

You might receive higher fees if you’ve donated eggs before that led to successful pregnancies or live births, Goldberg said. Intended parents often feel more confident choosing a donor with a proven track record. This means agencies are willing to offer higher payment.

2. Personal characteristics

Your unique traits can affect how much you’re paid. According to Goldberg, many recipients choose donors based on ethnicity and physical appearance. They may also look for donors with certain features, such as being tall or having certain eye colors.

Donors with specific ethnicities or advanced degrees are in higher demand. They may be paid a higher rate, said Betsy John, a business development manager at MyEggBank.

3. Location

Where you live can affect your compensation in two ways:

• If you live near a major city, you might earn more, especially for fresh cycle donations, Goldberg said.

• Rules about the maximum amount donors can be paid vary by state, John said.

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4. Choice of agency

The clinic or agency you work with affects your payment. Established agencies that have successfully helped many families often pay more. According to John, agencies look at several things when deciding payment, such as:

• What other agencies in your area are paying

• How much it costs them to find and screen donors

• What families in your region are willing to pay

How does egg donation work?

Women are usually born with 1 to 2 million eggs. But they release just one during each ovulation cycle in their fertile years. The egg donation process uses fertility medications to stimulate the ovaries. This enables multiple eggs to mature at the same time. On average, 10 to 15 eggs are retrieved per donation cycle.

Here’s what your egg donation journey might look like:

1. Application and screening: You’ll complete a medical history and background information to ensure you’re eligible.

2. Medical and psychological evaluation: You’ll complete physical exams and blood tests. You’ll likely meet with a mental health professional to confirm that you’re emotionally prepared.

3. Legal contract phase: You’ll review and sign legal documents to protect everyone involved.

4. Medication and monitoring: Once you’re approved, you’ll take fertility medications to stimulate egg production. You’ll take blood tests and receive an ultrasound or a sonogram to monitor your ovaries’ response.

5. Egg retrieval: When the ovaries appear properly stimulated, the eggs can be retrieved. This involves a minor procedure that takes 20 to 30 minutes.

6. Recovery period: Most donors return to normal activities within 24 to 48 hours.

What expenses related to egg donation can you be paid for?

Besides compensation for your eggs, expenses related to the donation process may be covered. For example, John’s clinic covers the cost of the donor’s care and treatment.

Travel expenses are often covered, especially if you need to go to another state for a fresh donation. “Travel costs can range from $100 to $1,000 or more,” Goldberg said. This usually includes the hotel stay and meals for you and a companion. You might also be paid for:

• Lost wages: About $100 to $300 per day if you need to take time off work

• Childcare costs: Around $100 to $200 per day

Covered expenses and reimbursement amounts should be in your agreement with the clinic or agency.

What expenses are egg donors not reimbursed for?

Most major expenses are usually covered, but you might need to pay for some minor costs. These may include local transportation to appointments, John said.

Depending on your agreement, you might need to cover over-the-counter medications, Goldberg said. In some cases, you may not be paid for time off work or childcare costs. But in general, donors don’t pay for related medical expenses.

When do egg donors get paid?

Clinics and agencies may split your egg donation payment into two installments. You would receive your first payment after passing the psychological and physical exams. Final payment is then made after the egg retrieval. But some programs pay in full after the egg retrieval.

Does insurance cover egg donation?

Usually, the clinic or agency will cover the medical costs associated with your donation. These include monitoring, surgery, and medication costs. Recipient parents typically buy a short-term insurance policy. This would cover complications the egg donor may experience, Goldberg said.

Each donation program handles insurance differently. Some programs may require you to have your own health insurance. If they do:

• Ask what costs might be billed to your personal insurance. (These costs would include medical complications, not planned procedures.)

• Check if your health plan covers egg-donation-related complications.

• Understand which expenses the program covers directly.

If the clinic or agency provides short-term insurance:

• Confirm who pays for the insurance premium.

• Find out how long you’re covered after the donation.

• Verify if there are restrictions on the healthcare professionals you see.

Get these insurance details in writing before starting the donation process. This helps you avoid surprise medical bills.

How often can you donate eggs?

You may be able to donate eggs up to 6 times in your lifetime. A break of 2 to 3 months between donations is recommended.

This means if you receive $10,000 per donation, you could earn up to $60,000. But your ability to complete six donations depends on several factors. These include your age, your health, and how well you responded to previous donations.

What disqualifies you from donating eggs?

Not everyone who wants to donate eggs will qualify. Clinics and states have requirements to ensure the safety of donors and recipients. Here are the main factors that could disqualify you from egg donation:

• Age: In general, you must be 21 to 33 years old when completing your donation cycles. Some clinics accept donors up to age 35.

• Physical health: Your body mass index should be 18 to 26.

• Substance use: Recent use of nicotine or recreational drugs or excessive alcohol usually disqualifies you from donating.

• Medical history: You might not qualify if you have an inherited genetic disorder (like cystic fibrosis), have certain sexually transmitted infections, or can’t provide detailed family medical history.

• Mental health: Certain mental health issues, and signs that you’re being pressured to donate, may disqualify you.

• Lifestyle: You need to show you can commit to the medical appointments required and follow the medication schedules.

What are the downsides of donating eggs?

Like any medical procedure, egg donation comes with medical risks.

• Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome is a potentially serious complication of fertility treatment. It can cause painful abdominal swelling, fever, nausea, and shortness of breath.

• Bleeding or infection may result from the retrieval surgery.

• You may experience temporary physical and emotional discomfort from hormone treatments. Symptoms include mood swings, bloating, and fatigue.

The process can also be mentally challenging, Goldberg said. Some donors may feel attachment to their eggs or anxiety about potential children. Egg donation also requires a significant time commitment for medical appointments and procedures.

Another consideration is financial: Egg donation compensation is taxable income that must be reported to the Internal Revenue Service.

Why trust our experts?

Written by:

Maggie Aime, MSN, RN

Maggie's writing brings health topics to life for readers at any stage of life. With over 25 years in healthcare and a passion for education, she creates content that informs, inspires, and empowers.

Edited by:

Charlene Rhinehart, CPA

Charlene Rhinehart, CPA, is a personal finance editor at GoodRx. She has been a certified public accountant for over a decade.

Reviewed by:

Mera Goodman, MD, FAAP

Dr. Mera Goodman is a board-certified pediatrician. Prior to medicine, she worked as a management consultant.

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