How Much Do Surrogates Make? Surrogate Pay and Compensation

If you’re considering becoming a Surrogate, you’re already an amazing person. Thinking of helping others to build their family is an incredible thing to consider. One of the most common and first questions is: “How much do Surrogates get paid?” Though your motivation is compassionate, it’s only natural to wonder if Surrogates get paid at all. When working with a Surrogacy Agency, there is indeed compensation as you go through the process. 

Be careful! Some agencies will use compensation to entice potential Surrogates and often lump many things into that figure as an “all-inclusive package.” However, most agencies will have a base compensation amount and potential additional components to the benefit package. Find out what is included in the compensation package, what is not, and if there are any maximum amounts (especially for lost wages that can easily exceed their maximum if bed rest is required). 

Becoming a Surrogate involves sacrifices. It is both a physical and an emotional process. You need to ensure you’re well taken care of before, during, and after the process. After all, you become like family to us, so we want you to be safe and secure throughout your journey.

Who Pays for Surrogacy?

It’s important to note that it is not the agency paying your compensation at all. The Intended Parents pay for your compensation during the surrogacy journey. 

They are the ones who pay for agency fees as well as all of your compensation. They also pay the fertility clinic fees and legal fees. Additionally, success on the first embryo transfer is not guaranteed, and just getting to the embryo transfer can cost a lot of time and money. 

The entire process can often amount to a couple hundred thousand for these parents. The higher the Surrogate Fees and the Agency Fees, the more it costs parents in this process to build their family.

How Much Do Surrogates Get Paid?

Surrogacy is a very serious commitment with both benefits and risks. Considering everything involved, how much does surrogacy pay? A surrogacy benefits package will consist of:

• your base Surrogate Compensation or Surrogate Fee
• miscellaneous additional compensation for various components of the pregnancy and process
• pregnancy-related expenses that are fully covered. 

How much you may earn depends on what you choose for your base compensation amount and how the journey unfolds. When parents sign up with our agency, they know the various components of the compensation package but know that ultimately you choose your own Surrogate Fee. When you fill out the application materials, one of the forms you will complete is a benefit package form, which lays out everything we are about to mention below. 

The base compensation fee can be different for first-time and experienced Surrogates. With IARC, Surrogates choose their base compensation amount. On average, surrogates typically receive between $30,000 and $45,000 for base compensation alone.

First-timers tend to stay on the lower end of that range while experienced surrogates are on the higher end as they typically increase their compensation with a subsequent journey.

As mentioned, many agencies lump multiple things together to give the illusion that their compensation is higher. These all-inclusive packages typically include base compensation, lost wages, childcare, etc. 

This may work for an uncomplicated pregnancy and delivery, but otherwise, it may result in less compensation than the traditional way that most agencies set up their compensation package.  

The additional Surrogate Compensation you receive is to cover everything related to the pregnancy. Additional fees are a part of the IARC Benefit Package that you sign and will then be included in the contract drawn up by the attorneys during that phase of the process. 

Here are some of the main fees to note:

• Multiples: If you carry multiples, there’s an additional $8,000 of compensation. Some parents wish to transfer two embryos either to increase the odds of success or because they are hoping to have two children but can’t necessarily go through the process twice. Check out the Multiples Benefit Package to see what is different about the compensation package for carrying twins vs a singleton. 
• Monthly Contribution: This is a monthly allowance meant to cover your day-to-day expenses related to this journey. This monthly contribution amount is $200.
• Maternity Clothing Allowance: IARC Surrogates receive a maternity clothing allowance of $500 paid at 13 weeks gestation. An additional $250 allowance is given at 20 weeks of pregnancy in the event of a multiple pregnancy.
• Medication Start: Upon the start of injection medications, a $200 fee will be paid.
• Embryo Transfer: Upon completing an embryo transfer, the carrier is compensated $500 for the time and effort devoted to the cycle.
• Miscellaneous:
  • Early Miscarriage (after positive beta of 100): $1,000
  • D & C/Hysteroscopy/Hysterosalpinography/HSG: $500/procedure
  • Termination/Selective Reduction/Amniocentesis: $1,000/procedure
• C-section Delivery: You will be compensated for this medical procedure, and that amount is $2,500. 

Expenses Covered Throughout The Journey

The parents-to-be will cover the pregnancy expenses, which will be included in your legally binding surrogacy contract, even if you’re undertaking the process for a loved one or friend. You should always have a funded escrow above a certain minimum threshold to ensure all expenses can be paid as they incur. Some common expenses include:

• Health insurance: If alternative coverage is needed that is different from the Surrogate’s health insurance, intended parents will pay the premiums and expenses related to this plan throughout the surrogacy and 60 days post-delivery.
• Medical: Intended parents agree to pay ALL medical expenses that result from the surrogacy that your medical insurance company does not cover. This includes all out-of-pocket expenses (deductibles, co-pays, etc.).
• Travel: Typically, this includes a 1-2 day trip to the fertility clinic for final medical screening and a 3-6 day trip for the embryo transfers. This accounts for flight, hotel stays, transportation, etc. Also, a travel companion for the first embryo transfer will be paid for entirely, including flight and food costs. 
• Lost Wages: If you have a loss of income due to your pregnancy or are required to take time off work, you need to be compensated. 
• Child care: Child care needed outside your family’s weekly child care schedule, up to $50/day/child for children under 12 years old. Any child care under 24 hours will be used with your monthly contribution amount.
• Housekeeping: For bed rest/restricted activity lasting longer than one week, a $100.00 allowance will be provided weekly for housekeeping.

How Often are Surrogates Paid

When you fill out your benefit package form, you have the option for payments to either be distributed monthly or by trimester for your base compensation. The terms of these amounts will be laid out when you complete the compensation form and in your surrogacy contract. 

Surrogate Compensation Is About More Than Pay at IARC: Find Out If You Qualify To Join Our Surrogacy Community 

Deciding to become a surrogate is an incredible commitment that provides parents worldwide with the family they have always desired. Because of this commitment, it’s important that you are compensated. It’s also important that you work with an agency that has your best interest at heart and can ensure a safe process for all.

Browse through testimonials from our satisfied parents and Surrogates and search agency review groups to see firsthand what working with IARC would be like!

Check to see if you meet the requirements for surrogacy and see if you potentially qualify. Then, apply to become a Surrogate and join our amazing Surrogate Community. We look forward to hearing from you soon!