Get matched instantly to the highest-paying egg donor or surrogate program you qualify for. Answer 6 quick questions and see your best match in about 30 seconds, then apply in one click. Free, no obligation.
Get matched instantly →
Get matched instantly →
The short version: egg donors typically earn $8,000–$15,000+ per cycle
and gestational surrogates earn $45,000–$75,000+ in base compensation per journey, plus covered
medical, legal, and travel costs. This is the egg and surrogacy slice of the cross-vertical
Donation Economy Pay Index.
Egg donation pay by program
Egg donation is the highest per-event payout in the donation economy that fits inside a single season. A cycle runs about two to three months, and pay is released after the retrieval that completes it. Below is what each program in our dataset publishes for donors.
| Program | Pay per cycle | Who qualifies | When paid |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shady Grove Fertility | $8,000–$15,000+ per cycle | Women 21–34, non-smoker, healthy BMI (generally under 30), regular cycles, and able to pass medical and genetic screening; living within reach of an SGF location helps | Paid after you complete your donation cycle (egg retrieval); partial milestones may apply during screening |
| HelpCreateFamilies (Egg Donor) | $8,000–$12,000+ per cycle | Women 21–34, non-smoker, healthy BMI, regular cycles, passing medical and genetic screening | Paid after you complete your donation cycle (egg retrieval) |
| Emerald Donors | $8,000–$15,000+ per cycle | Women 21–34, non-smoker, healthy BMI, regular cycles, willing to travel, passing medical and genetic screening | After your donation cycle (egg retrieval) is complete |
| An Eggceptional Match | $8,000–$15,000+ per cycle | Women 21–34, non-smoker, healthy BMI, regular cycles, willing to travel, passing medical and genetic screening | After your egg retrieval is complete |
| Donor Nexus | $8,000-$15,000+ per cycle | Healthy women in their 20s who are non-smokers with a healthy BMI and regular cycles, able to attend screening and monitoring appointments | After your egg retrieval is complete |
| Egg Donation, Inc. | $8,000-$15,000+ per cycle | Healthy women in their 20s, non-smokers with a healthy BMI and regular cycles, able to attend screening and monitoring appointments | After your egg retrieval is complete |
Surrogate pay by program
Surrogacy is the largest single figure across every donation vertical. Base compensation is paid in installments across the pregnancy after medical clearance, and every major expense is covered separately.
| Program | Base compensation | Who qualifies | When paid |
|---|---|---|---|
| Growing Generations | Up to $125,000+ | Women 21 to 38 with at least one healthy pregnancy and delivery, a BMI below 32, tobacco-free for at least 12 months, in good overall health with a stable home and support system, and living in a surrogacy-friendly state (Growing Generations cannot accept residents of Louisiana, Nebraska, or New York) | Milestone bonuses are paid before pregnancy (at medical clearance, contract signing, and medical start); base compensation is paid in installments across the pregnancy after legal contracts are signed and medical clearance |
| Center for Surrogate Parenting (CSP) | $50,000–$68,000+ | Women 21 to 41 with a BMI of 31 or less, non-smokers, who have at least one child they are raising, are free of anxiety or depression medications for at least one year under a doctor's guidance, and (if receiving government assistance) have another source of income; all CSP surrogates are based in the United States | Base compensation is paid in installments across the pregnancy after you match, sign a contract, and receive medical clearance; expenses are reimbursed throughout and a fully funded trust is set up before medications start |
| EDSI (Egg Donor & Surrogacy Institute) | $50,000–$70,000+ | Women 21–40, prior healthy pregnancy, currently parenting, healthy BMI, non-smoker, passing medical and psychological screening | Base paid across the pregnancy after contracts are signed and medical clearance; EDSI is known for reaching the contract stage quickly |
| Ivy Surrogacy | $55,000–$100,000+ | Women 20 to 36 who are U.S. citizens or green card holders, have delivered at least one healthy child, have no more than 2 C-sections or 5 total deliveries, no history of illegal drug use or recent tobacco or marijuana use, a reliable support system, and live in a surrogacy-friendly state (compensated surrogacy is not available in Louisiana or Nebraska) | Base compensation is paid in installments across the pregnancy after legal contracts are signed and medical clearance; allowances and benefits apply throughout the journey |
| HelpCreateFamilies (Surrogate) | $50,000–$70,000+ | Women about 20.5 to 40.5 who have a child of their own, a BMI under 35, are non-smokers, have had no more than 6 pregnancies, are U.S. citizens or permanent residents, and can pass a background screening | Base paid in installments across the pregnancy after clearance; expenses reimbursed throughout |
| Circle Surrogacy | $45,000–$75,000+ | Women 21–40, at least one prior healthy pregnancy, currently raising a child, healthy BMI, non-smoker, and able to pass medical and psychological screening | Base paid in installments across the pregnancy after medical clearance and confirmed heartbeat; expenses reimbursed throughout |
| Hatch | Est. $70,000+ (first-time) | Women 21 to 42 with a BMI of 32 or under, at least one previous healthy, uncomplicated pregnancy (most recent at 37+ weeks unless twins), no more than 6 previous pregnancies, and good physical and mental health | Base compensation is paid in installments during the pregnancy through escrow after legal contracts are signed and medical clearance |
How egg and surrogacy pay compares across the donation economy
For the full cross-vertical picture, including how egg donation and surrogacy stack up against plasma, sperm donation, and host-family hosting, see the full cross-vertical pay data in the Donation Economy Pay Index. For state-level detail, use our egg donor pay by state and surrogate pay by state breakdowns.
Methodology: compiled from 13 egg and surrogacy programs,
using each program's published, candidate-facing pay ranges. Verified monthly. Last updated: November 03, 2026.
Maintained by Mac Stafford. Figures are typical ranges, not guarantees; acceptance is competitive and
pay varies by experience and location.
Frequently asked questions
How much do egg donors get paid per cycle?
First-time egg donors typically earn $8,000 to $10,000 per completed cycle. Repeat and experienced donors reach $10,000 to $15,000 or more. Pay is generally released after the egg retrieval that completes your cycle.
How much do surrogates make?
Gestational surrogates generally earn $45,000 to $75,000 or more in base compensation per journey, on top of covered medical, legal, and travel costs plus monthly allowances. First-time surrogates start near the lower end and experienced surrogates reach the top.
How long does an egg donation cycle take?
About two to three months from the start of medications through the retrieval, including screening, injections, and monitoring appointments.
Do you get paid more as a repeat egg donor?
Yes. Proven donors are in high demand, so repeat cycles typically pay at the higher end of the range, often $10,000 to $15,000 or more.
Get matched instantly
Answer 6 quick questions. See your best-paying program in about 30 seconds, then apply in one click. Free, no obligation, and we only share your info with programs you consent to.
Are you a man? See paid sperm donation →
How we help: we match you to a partner program for free. We may earn a referral fee at no cost to you, and it never changes what you are paid. We are not an agency and do not broker donors or surrogates.