Compensation for Egg Donors: How Much Can You Make?

Egg donation has increasingly become vital for people building their families through assisted reproductive technologies (ART). The process for egg donors requires a time commitment of about three to five months on average. During this time, there are many medical appointments, with a majority falling closer to the date of the actual egg retrieval procedure. If the intended recipient is using the donor eggs fresh, the egg retrieval process may take even longer than five months. Egg donors are compensated for their time and commitment to the process, as well in consideration of any inconveniences they may incur for their participation. Let us see how much one can make as an egg donor and what considerations are made in determining this amount. 

Average Payout for Egg Donors

Egg donor payout varies based on the egg donor program as well as the State the donation is being conducted in. Typically however, egg donors can earn between $8,000 and $20,000, with some agencies offering different amounts for subsequent egg donation. 

Factors That Influence Compensation

Time

The largest consideration that is made is how much time the egg donor will need to commit to the process. For most egg donors, in order to commit to the process, they would have to reschedule their regular routines and even take time off work. This is especially so as they get closer to the retrieval date, as they are likely to have more medical appointments.

Location

Egg donor compensation is also based on the general cost of living and medicare costs within a particular State. Ideally, egg donors should live within a reasonable distance from the fertility clinic where they will be doing their egg donation. 

Expenses

Expenses such as transport, meals, and accommodation incurred during the process are also factored into the amount an egg donor is compensated. Sometimes, an egg donor may encounter an unexpected incident like a car breaking down and needing to use alternative transport to make it for their appointment. Such a cost may be paid out of pocket and would be refunded.

Ethnicity 

An egg donor’s ethnicity is important to potential parents, with some traits having a higher demand than others. Egg donors who possess these unique traits tend to be compensated more in this regard. 

Fresh or Frozen

Egg recipients have the option of using frozen or fresh donor eggs. If a recipient will use the donor eggs fresh, their uterus needs to be prepared for embryo transfer. This has to be done in sync with the development of the donor’s eggs. This will result in more medical appointments than if the donor eggs were being frozen. As such, the egg donor will be compensated more for the use of their fresh eggs.

Previous donation

An egg donor can donate their eggs up to six times in their lifetime, with periods of time between donations. If an egg donor undergoes the process more than once, they may be compensated differently. While some agencies have a fixed amount, others may have a different amount for subsequent donations. 

Highest-Paying Egg Donation Clinics

Egg donation clinics have varied compensation based on many factors as we have already seen. The higher end of egg donor compensation ranges from $10,000 and $12,000 to $20,000 per cycle. Therefore a person can earn a minimum of about $8,000 for a single cycle, and up to $120,000 for multiple donations at a high-paying clinic. 

Payment Schedule & Tax Considerations

Payment Schedule

The practice is to give egg donors their compensation after the eggs are successfully retrieved. While allowances are given to manage the costs incurred during the pre-retrieval treatment period, it is recommended that one be prepared financially ahead of beginning the egg donor process. One can begin by arranging for flexible work hours, and seeing if they can take advantage of some paid time off from their employer. Personal savings and personal health insurance cover will also go a long way in cushioning one against unexpected emergencies until they receive their payout.

Tax Considerations

The egg donor’s compensation package is considered income that is taxable. Therefore an egg donor would do well to speak with a professional tax advisor regarding how much they can expect to pay in taxes from their compensation. As well, this discussion should include whether the compensation received will put the egg donor in a different tax bracket. Prior to making expenditure after receiving compensation, egg donors would do well to set aside the money required for tax season.

Conclusion

One of the benefits of egg donation aside from helping people to build their families is the compensation one receives for their services. These finances have gone a long way in helping egg donors achieve some of their personal goals, from higher education to financing for personal assets. For more information about egg donor compensation, speak to our team of experts at Utah Fertility Center. 

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