The number of blood plasma centers in the US is increasing, as is the volume of plasma collected.
Goodness. What have we become?? 
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A friend of mine did this many years ago. I think it was just a way to get through some harder times.
One if my kids sold plasma in college, but it really hurt her arm, very swollen, so they made her stop.
I considered it many times while the kids were growing up and times were tough. But it takes a couple of hours, and I didn’t have much leave time back then either. It would have cost me more to do it than not. But also, there is always a super long line waiting to donate - it’s a block from my work place. I figured other people needed the $50-75 more than I did.
I also almost donated/sold my eggs to earn extra money. Filled out all the paperwork and even got called to do it. But then I started having second thoughts and the lawyer never got back in touch with me anyway, so I didn’t pursue it further. I was also approaching the upper age limits - early 30s… maybe 30. Don’t quite remember
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Biologic pharmaceuticals derived from plasma, such as IVIg and even cleaned plasma itself, are in high demand. These products are very expensive. I would hope the plasma sellers are well paid.
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OK, I’m going to go off topic a bit.
Two weeks ago, I went to our city (public) recycling center. It wasn’t a choice that I wanted to do, but we’re not allowed to put certain things in our garbage bins anymore.
I had to dispose of a metal ironing board that was starting to rust. I either needed to disassemble it and recycle it, or figure out where to take it.
Our public recycling center took metal.
I went down there with an ironing board and some electronics. The instructions were to get in the long line and turn in the ironing board.
When the attendant realized that I only had the ironing board and three electronics to “donate”, he took them for me. It was mid morning during the midweek and I asked him, “Is it always this busy?” He responded carefully and said, “Ever since the government started layoffs, we’ve seen huge numbers of people selling cans, metal, copper and anything that will help them with their family budgets. It was really, really busy at Christmas.”
I shop with coupons, multi packs, and Costco. My food budget used to be $127 average per week and now it’s at $250 for the same items. We’re carefully saving money and we’re doing OK. I feel for those families with young children that are selling aluminum cans to make gas money. I know that we’ve been repeatedly asked for donations to food banks. We live in the burbs and one of the neighbors built a farm stand so that we could bring produce from our California fruit trees/gardens to share and it’s being well used.
I can see why people are trying to sell their plasma because they’re just trying to survive in this tariffed economy.
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I know people who donated plasma regularly while in college. They considered it easy money, and they could study while donating. Apparently the more regularly you donate the more $ you make.
We are probably disqualified in our family because we have too many health conditions and they’re NOT supposed to allow you to donate anything if it may worsen your health. 
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