If you’ve been searching the Internet for different businesses to start, chances are you’ve found thousands of ways to make money online.

But there may be an equal or greater opportunity to make money right in your own hometown with a good old-fashioned “blue collar” business idea.

In this post, I’ll break down:

What are blue collar businesses
5 advantages of blue collar businesses
27 blue collar business ideas you can start FAST

Ready? Let’s do it!

What is a Blue Collar Business?

A blue collar business is a local, service-based business.

These are businesses where you’re (often) out doing manual labor and getting paid well to do it.

Not many people realize all the jobs and chores around homes and businesses that people would gladly pay someone else to do so they don’t have to do it themselves.

In many markets, demand for these services is growing, yet they’re usually not very glamorous or sexy, so many younger entrepreneurs avoid them.

That means if you have the skills available–or have the desire to learn them–you could quickly start a business and see results.

1. Parking Lot Cleanup

Perhaps one of the most surprising and inspiring side hustle stories I’ve heard came from Brian Winch.

Brian began picking up litter in parking lots back in the early 1980s before heading off to work.

Within a few months, he’d turned it into a full-time business.

Today, it’s a $600k+ per year operation!

This is a great business you could build up around other commitments you have and do in your spare time.

2. Knife Sharpening

Did you know there is a market for knife sharpening?

Side Hustle Show guest Matt Rowell reported earning $30-$60 per hour sharpening knives in his spare time.

He taught himself, gathered the tools, and started getting clients.

The best part?

Every house and many businesses have knives.

That’s a whole lot of potential business.

Matt has gotten so busy that he has had to turn people away.

Find out more about Matt and how you can start a knife-sharpening business too!

3. Mobile Detailing

If you love making your car sparkle inside and out, you can turn that skill into an income stream. For brothers Josh and Austin Belk, college students in Missouri, car detailing turned from hobby into a business pretty quickly.

With some innovative online local marketing, they grew the business to $6k a month in revenue.

Their mobile detailing service can be done at the customer’s location, and Josh explained that for most of their customers, it’s their first time having a car detailed. To me, that signals a growing market.

4. Car Wash

Forget driving around to wash cars, and let them come to you!

That was Hannah Ingram’s plan when she bought — for no money down — a local self-service car wash.

The business takes around 30 minutes a day to maintain, and cash-flows around $5,000 a month!

5. Pressure Washing

Pressure washing is one of those jobs that people love to have done, but they don’t often own a pressure washer themselves.

Sure, they could rent one but then they also have to give up their Saturday to complete the job.

Even if you don’t own a pressure washer, you can rent a pressure washer and line up a number of jobs so that you can profit even after you pay rental fees.

According to Home Advisor, a typical price range for a pressure washing job is between $187 and $387.

On top of that, it’s just plain satisfying!

6. Flea Market Flipping

Do you love to find a good deal? Do you have an eye for spotting treasures in a pile of junk?

You would probably enjoy starting a flipping business.

The premise is simple, buy something cheap and sell it for more. It is a very low-cost business to start, and there are so many ways to source items to fill.

One Side Hustle Show guest has built up her flipping business to $7,000-10,000 in monthly sales.

Want to learn more? Check out this free training on how to get started and make your first sales in as little as 2 weeks.

7. Lawn Mowing

Of course, you could get lawn mowing customers the old fashioned way, by wheeling your lawnmower up and down the neighborhood and knocking on doors, but that’s old school.

Enter GreenPal, which is best described as “Uber for lawn care.”

GreenPal has over 5500 vendor partners (lawnmowers and other yard care providers) in seven states throughout the county.

CEO Bryan Clayton explained, “Many of our lawn care vendors are high school kids and college students that use our app in the summer to make extra money. Many younger vendors work afternoons and weekends using our app, and it is the perfect way for them to make extra money.”

On top of that, Bryan said the average GreenPal vendor makes around $55 per hour mowing lawns on its system.

8. Lawn Aeration

Separating yourself from the competition is what will help you stand out when you have other people with who you are competing with for jobs.

Ken Elshoff shared this story in the Side Hustle Nation FB group:

Consider lawn aerating as a side hustle!  

My 16 year old went door to door selling lawn mowing for his summer business last year. 

That wasn’t good because we realized that you are competing against every homeowner because ‘everyone’ has a lawnmower. So, he got a lot of ‘no’s. 

But, what everyone doesn’t have is a lawn aerator! When selling lawn aerating EVERY homeowner can be a prospect because very few own aerators. 

So, he switched to aerating and watched a bunch of YouTube videos on how to run an aerator. 

He printed out a screenshot of a website from a local company that does aerating for $200. He priced *his* service at $175, showing home owners that his prices were cheaper than the ‘big guys’.

The only other item he had with him as a visual aid was a ziplock baggie with some dirt plugs that we took from the high school football field after it was aerated. He used that to show homeowners what would be laying all over their lawn when he was done.

He continued going door to door selling lawn mowing but then offered them aerating as well, so it was work he was already doing — he just added an additional service. 

Six people (within a 4 block radius) agreed to hire him for aeration.

We went to Home Depot and rented an aerator for 24 hours at a cost of $110 (including their insurance). 

He did all 6 lawns in about 5 hours and, after paying me back for the home depot rental fee (which I fronted for him), he cleared $820 in one day of work!

[If you’re doing the math at $175×6 you’ll notice a couple of customers with smaller yards negotiated him down a bit.]

Finding a way to add services is always a great way to up your value and get paid more per customer.

9. Grout Cleaning

Did you know that people will pay to have their grout and tile cleaned in their homes and businesses?

If you like to clean already, this can be a great business idea.

You can easily find the best ways to clean and protect the grout from YouTube and other home improvement sites, gather the supplies needed, and start marketing your new business.

According to HomeAdvisor, pros charge between $30-$50 an hour. Even if it does take you a little time to learn how to do it correctly, that is a nice upside.

10. BBQ Cleaning

Jacob Shaidle was just 16 years old when he launched his BBQ cleaning side hustle in Ontario, Canada in 2021.

As a high school student looking to earn money for college, Jacob decided to go door-to-door offering to clean neighborhood grills and smokers.

It certainly wasn’t smooth sailing from there. In fact, Jacob reported that after the first lucky break, the next 50 homes in a row all said no to him.

As he told GlobalNews.ca:

“Even now, I’ll have up to… 200 people in a row say ‘no’. It’s all about persevering and looking at the light at the end of the tunnel.”

And persevere he did. By the end of his first year, Jacob had brought in an impressive $12,000 in revenue.

And in his second year, he more than doubled sales to over $16,000 for the season!

11. Pet Waste Removal

Picking up dog poop for homeowners may not be the most glamorous business, but it can be a pretty lucrative one. Startup costs are low, and once you sign on clients, they’re likely to stick with you week after week.

One Side Hustle Show guest described charging $14-20 per yard per week and had attracted more than 80 recurring customers. She estimated it was worth $50 an hour, part-time. 

12. Trash Bin Cleaning

While most people like trash day, because their smelly garbage gets picked up and taken away, there can be a downside.

You’re left with a smelly can!

A smelly can has the possibility to attract all kinds of unwanted germs, pests, and rodents.

A trash bin cleaning business allows homeowners to come home to a clean and deodorized bin that they no longer need to worry about.

This is another great business if you have a pressure washer.

Cost helper says the typical price can be between $10-$20 per can cleaning.

13. Gutter Cleaning

Jimmy Moncrief from Chattanooga Gutter Cleaning started his gutter-cleaning business when he heard people complaining about how they couldn’t get anyone to come to fix the gutters on their house.

Since Jimmy already owned the necessary tools to get the job done, he said he could do it and has created a business around gutters.

He has been making $1,000 – $2,000 a month and has been able to grow his business with referrals and Google Reviews. He has also started setting up some of his customers on a recurring plan for his services.

This is a great low-cost business opportunity if you already have the tools and know-how to hang and clean gutters.

14. Residential or Commercial Cleaning Service

Starting a cleaning business is a low-cost way to make some money quickly. All businesses need to be cleaned by someone and there are many people who would rather come home to a clean house than have to clean it themselves.

This gives you a large potential pool of possible customers.

Another perk? If your clients are happy, this could be recurring work.

One guest on the Side Hustle Show was able to scale his cleaning business, that he’s now not even part of the day-to-day operations.

And the business is had grown to $60k a month in revenue in just 2 years.

According to Thumbtack, the typical hourly rate for house cleaning services range from $25-$50 per hour.

15. Pallet Flipping

When you think of making money with pallets, your mind may start drifting to all of the different items that people make with pallets from ideas seen on Pinterest.

But what if you could make money off pallets and never have to pick up a hammer?

John Wilker, of Birmingham, Alabama, shared how he’s built a network of pallet buyers and suppliers. On the day we recorded, he’d made $1600 before lunch — and never has to store any inventory.

16. Pool Maintenance

There is a certain allure to the thought of having a pool in your backyard, but if you don’t have one, you may not understand all the work that goes into keeping that pool in pristine, swimmable condition.

Pool maintenance is a necessity for pool owners who want to use their pools on a regular basis–but it can be a hassle.

To start this business you’ll need to make sure you know things like the right chemicals and make sure the water has the right ph (some places may even require you to have certification). The upside is you can earn anywhere from $50-$60 dollars on hour with this business.

17. Pest Control

Pest control is a stable business choice that shows no signs of slowing down. In fact, my parents pay somebody to come by every couple of months and spray for spiders. I feel like they might have a “rat guy” on retainer too.

Starting a pest control business will have more start-up costs than some of the businesses mentioned as you would need the chemicals and tools needed to remove pest problems.

The bright side, however, is that a pest control business has the potential to earn $75,000 a year.

18. Planter Box Building

With the 2020 pandemic creating panic in the spring, many people took up gardening this year.

If you’re handy and like to build, building planters or gardening boxes is a great way to capitalize on the growing gardening trend.

You could make standard sizes or do custom builds depending on customer’s preferences.

Most likely, you’ll charge by the box instead of an hourly rate.

Facebook marketplace and Craigslist could be some great options for finding interested customers.

19. Gardening Service

If you enjoy gardening yourself, why not do it for others. Many people start gardening with good intentions, but they can easily have more important things pop up that demand attention.

By doing the upkeep for them, they can still enjoy the fruits of their garden without having to do the work.

This could be a great add-on to other yard services you may already be providing as well.

If you think yard services are a business you would like to start, you can check out Lawn Love to help you find yard jobs and make between $30-$50 per hour.

20. Moving Service

Starting a moving business is a great way to help others, move your body, and get paid. Whether you want to help with big moves or small moves, if you’ve got a truck, you could be in business.

Using an app like Dolly or Bellhops, you can advertise your business and connect with people who need help with moving.

With Dolly, you can make up to $15 an hour if you have a car and can lift over 75 pounds. If you own a truck, you can earn up to $30 an hour. Bellhops advertises earning potential “up to $21 an hour.”

21. Carpet Cleaning

Carpet cleaning is a great in-demand service you can start. Starting a carpet cleaning business will require you to have access to a carpet cleaning machine, whether you own or rent, and cleaning solutions as well.

There are a number of different ways to clean a carpet so you can pick the option or options that work best for you and are in demand in your area.

A carpet cleaning business has the potential to earn between $75,000 – $100,000 a year.

22. Handyperson Service

If you’re handy and like to fix things, why not start a handyman business?

This may be a stereotypical blue collar business idea, but if you already have the tools needed for projects around the house, your start-up costs will be quite low.

Using apps such as TaskRabbit, Thumbtack, and NextDoor can help connect you will people in your area who need work done.

An app such as TaskRabbit, allows you to set your own rates plus take payment through the app, which will make getting paid easy.

23. Window Washing

Window-washing is another great low-cost business opportunity. Window cleaning can be done on your own timeline and like some of the other business ideas mentioned can be done on both residential and commercial properties.

There are a couple of different ways you can charge: by pane, by the window, or by the hour. When I spoke with Johnny Robinson, co-founder of Orange Window Cleaning, he described flat-rate pricing of $15.75 per window.

For most providers, the hourly rate works out to be in the $40-$75 dollar range.

24. Painting

Painting is a great low-cost business to start. Actually, this was how I made money in college.

There are both residential and commercial opportunities for painting which give you a lot of potential work.

To start you need some brushes, rollers, and pans and you’re ready to go. For exterior work, a sprayer will speed up the job.

Starting a painting business can earn you anywhere from $40-$60 per hour.

You can also advertise your service on sites like Thumbtack, making it easy to connect with people who need your service.

25. Junk Hauling

I connected with the largest junk hauler of them all, Brian Scudamore, the founder and CEO of 1-800-GOT-JUNK, to learn about how he started his junk hauling business.

(He’s since grown it into a multi-million dollar home services empire.)

If you have a truck or have access to one, this could be a great business to start. The best way to start is to let people know you’re willing to haul their junk away.

One tactic Brian shared was painting your phone number on the side of the truck, and parking it at high-traffic intersections. Free billboard!

26. Camper Van Renovation

With limited air travel, camping and road trips are surging in popularity. Here’s a way to piggyback on the trend.

Camper vans are a great way for people to travel but still have their own space. Many people have different needs and so want to customize their camper van to fit their lifestyle and how they plan to travel.

If you possess construction skills, you can start a business converting vans into campers.

27. Christmas Light Installation and Removal

Helping others with their Christmas lights could be a great way to make extra money.

By installing Christmas decorations, you’re able to save your clients both time and the potential to get hurt by doing it themselves.

This is a great low-cost business to start as the client typically pays for the lights and decorations. If they don’t own ladders, however, that is something you’ll need access to.

The only downside to this business is that it will be seasonal, so it may be a great add-on service to the lawn and home services you already provide.

Angi (formerly Angie’s list) is a great way to let people know that this is something you offer.

It can be pretty lucrative too! For example, this guy makes $100k+ per year with his Christmas lights business.

28. Snow Removal

If you live in a colder climate, snow removal is a great business idea. Especially if you don’t mind being out in the cold.

Whether you have a shovel, snowblower, or truck, or maybe all three, there are plenty of opportunities to help get rid of the snow.

You can start to make $30+ an hour by providing snow removal services to homes and businesses.

29. Parking Lot Striping

Dan Zurcher reported earning $165,000 a year with his parking lot striping business — all while taking winters off.

In this business, there’s some upfront investment in equipment (like many of the other blue collar business ideas on this page), but you’ll start to notice the parking lot paint everywhere you go!

For your first jobs, Dan suggested looking for free-standing small business buildings where the owner is likely to be inside.

30. Car or Motorcycle Repair

Matt Bochnak’s side hustle was a motorcycle repair service he ran out of his garage.

The business was going well, earning around $500 a month very part-time. Then Matt had the great idea to film himself doing the repairs.

That led to over 100,000 subscribers on his YouTube channel, and created several new streams of income, including:

Selling digital products (full-engine rebuild videos)
Sponsored content
Affiliate commissions
YouTube ad revenue
Developing his own physical product

When we last caught up, his business was up to $20,000 a month in revenue!

5 Advantages of Starting a Blue Collar Business

1. Low startup cost

Most of the blue collar business ideas on this page have low startup costs. They can be started quickly with the skills and tools you already have.

Anything else you need to get the job done can be picked up at most local stores.

2. Competition may not be super tech-savvy

If you’re handy with apps on your phone, you can find a whole untapped market with little competition ready to pay for your services.

There are many apps like Thumbtack or NextDoor that will connect you with people looking for your skills.

3. Simple to market and validate

It will be very easy to see if your business idea has a market in your area or not.

You can also market your business quickly through word-of-mouth if you are doing a stellar job for your clients.

4. Work with your hands

Blue collar businesses allow you to work with your hands and have the satisfaction that comes with completing a project.

5. Quick to see your first income

With blue collar businesses, you can perform the work and get paid on the spot, which is great if you need a business idea or side hustle to generate cash flow quickly.

Here are our top blue collar business ideas.

Blue Collar Business Ideas: Your Turn

There are many great blue collar business opportunities out there for people who want to make additional income or transition out of a job you want to leave.

Many of these ideas have low-start up costs and a low-barrier for entry meaning you can get started right away.

These business ideas are a great way to make money when you need it.

Now it’s your turn. Which blue collar business idea hits home for you?

Serious About Making Extra Money?

Start Your Free $500 Challenge. My free 5-day email course shows you how to add $500 to your bottom line.
Join the free Side Hustle Nation Community. The free Facebook group is the best place to connect with other side hustlers and get your questions answered.
Download The Side Hustle Show. My free podcast shares how to make extra money with actionable weekly episodes.

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Images courtesy of Depositphotos.com.

Can you really make money donating plasma?

Yes you can — up to $700 in your first month, in fact.

But it’s probably not the best side hustle idea for everyone. In this post, I’ll share:

how the plasma donation process works
why it’s important
and how to get started—if you want to!

What is Blood Plasma and Why is it Needed?

According to WebMD, plasma is the liquid portion of your blood. While plasma is roughly 90% water, it also contains important minerals, hormones, proteins, and nutrients.

The lives of millions of Americans are saved every year due to plasma proteins.

Blood plasma contains more than 400 different proteins, and of those, 150 are important for medical emergencies.

Even just one donation can save three lives (though you have to give at least twice for your plasma to be used).

What Blood Plasma Does

Blood plasma:

Helps you fight off infections.
Helps your cells function properly by transporting nutrients, hormones, and proteins. This includes growth hormones partially responsible for the growth of your bones and muscles.
Provides clotting factors so you can stop bleeding when you’ve been injured.
Helps you maintain normal blood volume and blood pressure levels.
Helps eliminate chemical waste from your cells. This is accomplished through dissolving substances not required by your cells so they can be carried away.

What is Donated Plasma Used For?

Physicians use plasma for the treatment of many types of serious health issues. For example, the chemicals and antibodies in plasma that enable clotting are important for treating trauma and burns.

Other uses for plasma include:

Cancer: Both children and adults with several different types of cancer often require a plasma transfusion. This includes leukemia.
Developing New Treatments: The proteins and antibodies in plasma are used to develop life-saving medicines and treatments for rare medical diseases. This includes specific issues with the immune system.
Hemophilia: Hemophilia is a rare disorder. This occurs when an individual does not have the necessary clotting factors.
Transplant Surgery: Bone marrow and liver transplants require a plasma donation.

(If your blood type is AB, your plasma is extremely important. People with AB blood are considered “universal plasma donors” because anyone can use it regardless of their blood type.)

Fun Fact: This is different from standard blood donation, where blood type O-negative is the universal donor.

Plasma Donation Requirements and Eligibility

The collection of plasma is a big business in the medical community. This is because plasma can save a lot of lives.

Making a donation is both ethical and noble—even if you’re getting paid.

There are basic requirements you must meet before you will be able to donate plasma. You must:

Be between the ages of 18 and 69 (could be a good way to make money as a teenager)
Weigh more than 110 pounds
Pass a basic physical examination and be free of any infectious diseases
Have a social security card or legal government ID to prove citizenship
Have the correct levels of blood, iron and hemoglobin

You may be ineligible to donate if you:

Received a tattoo or body piercing in the last year
Have a history of hepatitis or are HIV positive
Have a history of cancer in the family

The exact rules vary by state, but every donor must meet the essential requirements detailed above.

When you donate plasma, you’re accepting an important responsibility. If there’s any chance your blood could pose a risk to potential recipients, stop right now.

How Much Money Can You Make Donating Plasma?

You’ll typically be paid between $20 and $60 for each donation. Depending on how often you donate, you can earn as much as $650 per month donating plasma.

Overall, that might work out to around $30-50 an hour.

Why does plasma donation pay and blood donation not? The plasma procedure pays because it is more involved and requires more time.

(If you’re afraid of needles, this obviously isn’t the best way for you to make extra money.)

Before you make a donation, look on the Internet to see if you can find any coupons for first-time donors. Many centers offer a higher payout for first-timers:

If you have multiple donation centers to choose from nearby, obviously pick the one with the best combination of reputation and payout.

Interesting fact: how much you can make depends on your weight. (Heavier people can safely donate more plasma and earn more.)

How Do You Get Paid?

The majority of donation centers will give you either a debit card or a prepaid gift card to make the process as smooth as possible.

I think that’s pretty annoying—I’d prefer just to get cash—but understand why they do it that way.

How Donating Plasma for Money Works: An Interview

Bethany said this little side hustle covered her rent in college!

The Plasma Donation Process

Finding a Plasma Donation Center Near You

If you’re interested in donating plasma, you need to find a collection center in your area. Your best option is to search online:

Some legit plasma donation centers include:

CSL Plasma
BioLife Plasma
BPL Plasma
Grifols Plasma
Olgam Life (New York and Florida)

It’s important to understand these centers aren’t government institutions. While the FDA regulates and inspects all US-based donation centers, the agency is not involved with the management of any of these centers.

In most cases, an appointment is not required. The centers usually accept walk-ins during most hours of the day.

(Though calling in advance can save time, and you may be able to fill out their forms online.)

The best time to donate is in the morning because you’ll feel more refreshed.

What to Bring to the Plasma Donation Center

Make sure to bring your social security card, photo ID card, and proof of address. If you don’t have a social security card, a border crossing identification may be accepted.

I’d also recommend bringing a jacket or blanket.

When you arrive at the plasma donation center, you’ll be greeted by the receptionist. They’ll give you the relevant paperwork to fill out, which includes your personal information and complete medical history.

The details on your paperwork will be checked using the identification you provided.

Before You Donate Plasma

Before making a donation, you’ll receive an examination by the medical staff at the donation center. They’ll determine if you’re fit enough to make a donation.

Your basic exam will most likely include a:

heart check
blood pressure check
urine test
reflex test
blood sample

Your blood sample is used to check your iron, protein, hemoglobin, and hematocrit levels.

If you’re approved, you can make a donation now.

If You Get Rejected

If you don’t qualify to donate plasma, you may receive one of two different kinds of deferrals:

Permanent
Temporary

The most common reasons for a temporary deferral are if you’re:

still recovering from a recent medical procedure
currently sick
experiencing low iron or hemoglobin levels

In this instance, the center will tell you what steps to take and when you can come back to make a donation.

A permanent deferral can be given for numerous reasons.

You may not meet the weight requirement (though I suppose you could always try and bulk up if it’s something you really have your heart set on!), or you may have a specific medical condition that can have a negative impact on anyone receiving your blood plasma.

If you think your permanent deferral was a mistake, you can try to have it overturned. This will require an exam and note from your primary care physician.

Is Donating Plasma Painful?

The majority of individuals who have donated plasma stated the needle felt like “a very mild bee sting.”

Every time you donate, you will be required to have a finger stick to check your hemoglobin and protein levels.

The actual discomfort is very similar to donating blood. If you’re comfortable donating blood, you shouldn’t experience any issues donating plasma.

Once the donation center is ready to begin, you’ll be seated in a chair in a semi-reclined position. The procedure looks a lot like when you donate blood.

In addition to the finger stick, an IV and needle will be used to draw your blood. Your blood (minus the plasma, of course) will be returned to your body through the IV.

Your blood is mixed with saline prior to being returned. This can be extremely cold and some people find it uncomfortable. Bring a jacket or blanket with you.

How Long Does Donating Plasma Take?

While your first donation can take as long as 2-3 hours to complete the entire procedure, your next donation shouldn’t take more than 90 minutes.

Still, you do need to physically be at the location—it’s definitely not a passive income idea.

Risks and Side Effects of Donating Plasma

When you make a donation, vital minerals, vitamins and fluids are being removed from your body. This is why your health status must be assessed by medical professionals before you’re approved to donate

If you have any visible signs of a disease or an addiction, the technician will recommend medical treatment—and you won’t be allowed to donate.

Still, even if you’re in good health and approved by the technician for donation, there are potential side effects. A plasma donation does have an impact on your body. You won’t leave feeling the same way you did when you first arrived.

How to Prepare Your Body

Make sure to get a good night’s rest before donating. Have a good dinner the night before and eat a healthy breakfast the next morning.

One plasma donor I spoke to emphasized the importance of drinking a lot of water before he went in. Compared to being dehydrated, he said it made the donation process much faster!

You should also be feeling emotionally stable to help ensure you successfully make a donation. Once your donation is complete, avoid any stressful activities for the remainder of the day.

Your main priorities need to be rest and hydration.

Your body needs 24 to 48 hours to recover from the impact of your donation and to restore normal  plasma levels.

Your body needs 24 to 48 hours to recover from the impact of your donation and to restore normal  plasma levels. Thankfully, most side effects aren’t severe, and usually disappear on their own with fluids and rest.

Most Common Plasma Donation Side Effects

You should be on the lookout for the most common side effects when you donate plasma.

These include:

Lightheadedness. The removal of plasma temporarily decreases oxygen in the bloodstream. This can result in lightheadedness when standing up or walking around. This should pass 4-6 hours after your donation.
Fatigue. Fatigue is common after the lightheadedness has passed. You may feel like you need a nap. Listen to your body and rest when possible.
Bruising and Discomfort. If the needle is not inserted into your vein correctly, the area may become bruised and painful. This shouldn’t last more than 4-7 days after your donation.
Dehydration. This is the most serious of the potential complications. When your blood is drawn, vital fluids and minerals are removed along with your plasma. Without the correct levels of electrolytes and minerals in your blood, a seizure is possible. This is why it’s so important to drink plenty of fluids on the days you donate plasma.
Site Infection. There is a slight possibility of developing an infection at the needle site.

One of the least common side effects is a reaction to the citrate, the anticoagulant used to prevent your blood from clotting during the procedure. Some donors have a reaction such as a tingling sensation around the mouth and nose or in the fingers. If the case is severe, there can be a slowing or rapid pulse, shivering, shortness of breath or twitching.

The signs to look for include:

Tingling or numbness in the toes, fingers and lips
Shivering
Metallic taste
Muscle twitches
Vibrations all over the body
Lightheadedness
Chills
Shortness of breath
Slow or rapid pulse

These symptoms can become severe if not treated. The severe symptoms include:

Vomiting
Cardiac arrest
Spasms
Irregular pulse
Shock

Are There Long Term Side Effects of Donating Plasma Frequently?

If you donate plasma frequently (or are planning to), you’re probably wondering if there are any long-term side effects.

Although your body replenishes your plasma very quickly, long term side effects can include:

blackouts
fatigue
weight loss
dehydration
rubbery legs
pains

The worst-case scenario, while rare, is hypocalcemia. This condition can be fatal. Some individuals experience tingling, fainting, numbness, seizures, or muscle contractions.

Depleting your calcium can be very dangerous, leading to serious health conditions. This includes heart arrhythmias, osteoporosis, breathing issues, chronic kidney issues, seizures, eye strain, and brittle bones.

Super Important Disclaimer: consult your doctor before entering any sort of plasma donation routine!

How Often Can You Donate Plasma?

Some centers allow you to make up two donations in a 7-day period, while others restrict you to one donation per month.

Limitations have been set by the FDA for plasma donations to ensure the safety and health of the individual.

Is Your Plasma Donation Income Taxable?

There’s actually a lot of debate on this subject!

According to the IRS, your donation is classified as a non-cash gift and does not have to be reported as a part of your income.

(Though some plasma donors insist the income is taxable, none mentioned receiving 1099s for their donations or reporting their income.)

However, don’t consider this tax advice and be sure to consult with your accountant for a more definitive answer.

Is Donating Plasma Ethical?

Look, it’s your blood and time. You should be able to do what you choose with your own plasma.

On top of that, you’re helping save lives. The bottom line is, yes a plasma donation is considered ethical.

The only scenario I can thank of that would be unethical is if you knowingly didn’t meet the donation safety requirements and attempted to donate anyway.

Then you’re putting lives at risk—and for what? To make a few extra bucks?

Can You Donate Plasma for Free?

If you’re uncomfortable accepting payment for your plasma donation, you can make a donation for free. (Or you could always donate your earnings to charity.)

Some people are not comfortable donating without knowing where or how their donation will be used. If this is how you feel, there are centers accepting donations strictly for medical purposes and saving lives.

In most cases, you’ll only be able to make one donation every 28 days.

Remember, every donation you make can potentially save three lives. That’s worth a lot more than whatever payment you might receive.

Donating Plasma as a Side Hustle: Conclusions

Donating plasma is certainly a viable option to earn extra money in your spare time.

However, I think it is best for people who:

Meet the requirements
Have a flexible schedule
Live or work near a donation center (remember transportation time and costs eat into your earnings)
Don’t have a problem with blood or needles

On the plus side, it’s a relatively easy way to add some breathing room to your budget.

On the down side, it can be time-consuming and comes with potential side effects. And it will be difficult to scale beyond a $300 a month.

Alternatives to Donating Plasma to Make Extra Money

What could you do instead? Here’s a monster list of ways to make extra money.

Here are some of the leading options that might be a good fit.

Focus Groups, Consumer Research Studies, and Surveys

Several companies facilitate online and in-person consumer research studies and focus groups.

My personal favorite is Respondent, where the average pay rate is over $100 an hour. Here’s our full Respondent review.

If you have downtime during your day (like to go donate plasma), you might be interested in these online survey sites and apps. Generally they pay very little, but it can add up, and they’ve very easy to do:

Driving for Dollars

You’ve probably heard of people driving with Lyft or Uber to earn extra money. These have an advantage over donating plasma in that you’re not limited to doing it 2x a week!

You can do these as your schedule allows.

And if you don’t like the idea of having strangers in your car, there are some interesting delivery options as well, including:

Instacart – Get paid to shop for and deliver other people’s groceries. Enjoy weekly payouts and a flexible schedule. Check out our full Instacart Shopper review here, with insights from a side hustler earning an extra $450-500 a week.
DoorDash – Make up to $25 an hour as a food delivery driver for DoorDash. Here’s our full DoorDash driver review.
Shipt – Earn up to $22 an hour delivering groceries and household essentials to nearby Shipt members.

Mobile Notary Service

Several Side Hustle Nation readers have reported great success ($1500 a month and up!) becoming loan signing agents.

Check the link above to learn more about how this side hustle works and why it might just be “the best kept secret in real estate.”

Your Turn

What do you think? Have you donated plasma and gotten paid for it?

Let me know in the comments below!

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