How Much Do Surrogates Get Paid?
See your full compensation breakdown — base pay, monthly allowance, lost wages & more.
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Reviewed by Conner, Co-Founder & Research Lead
How Much Could You Earn as a Surrogate?
Based on your location, experience & prior births
What's Included in Surrogate Pay
Surrogacy payments are more than just base pay — here's everything you can expect in your compensation.
Base Compensation
Your primary payment for carrying the pregnancy. $40,000–$80,000 depending on state and experience.
Monthly Allowance
$3,000–$6,000 across the pregnancy for food, transportation, and miscellaneous expenses.
Maternity Clothing
$1,000–$2,000 allowance for maternity clothing throughout the pregnancy.
Lost Wages
$3,000–$10,000 reimbursement for time missed from work due to appointments or recovery.
Additional benefits may include life insurance, legal fees, travel reimbursement, and more — varies by agency. Who pays for your health insurance →
How and When Surrogates Get Paid
Surrogate compensation is not a salary: there is no employer or paycheck, and the amounts are set in your surrogacy contract. Pay rates are quoted as a package, but they are paid out in stages.
- Base compensation is typically paid in monthly installments during the pregnancy, often beginning once a heartbeat is confirmed.
- Allowances and reimbursements usually start around the embryo transfer, so some payments arrive before the base installments do.
- Escrow holds the intended parents' funds with an independent manager before the transfer, and payments are released on the contract schedule rather than depending on each transfer from the parents.
- Milestones such as transfer, confirmed pregnancy and birth define when each payment starts, so read that schedule closely before you sign.
Have your own attorney review the schedule. See the surrogate requirements and qualifications and surrogacy laws by state before you apply.
How Surrogacy Works
Submit your application. We'll share it with our agency partners and reach out if there's a good fit.
Comprehensive health screening, psychological evaluation, and background check — all coordinated and paid for by the agency.
You'll review profiles and meet with potential intended parents. You always have the right to say no to any match.
After legal contracts are signed, the embryo transfer takes place. Monthly compensation begins immediately.
Remaining compensation is disbursed around delivery. Post-delivery allowances continue for up to 6 weeks.
Ready to Apply as a Surrogate?
Our 5-minute application checks your eligibility and matches you with licensed agencies in your area.
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Age Limits, Timeline & Health & Safety
What agencies look for, how long the process runs, and the medical risks involved.
Age Requirements
Most agencies set the age window at 21–40, with ASRM guidance supporting carriers up to about 45 in select cases with additional cardiology and OB clearance. Outside the core range, expect more extensive medical screening before an agency will move forward.
Timeline
From application to birth, plan on 18–24 months: 3–6 months for screening and matching, 1–2 months for legal contracts, 1–2 months to prepare for embryo transfer, then the 9-month pregnancy itself. Waiting on a finalized contract or a transfer cycle to sync with your body is the most common source of delay.
Safety & Side Effects
As a gestational carrier you take on the same pregnancy risks as any pregnancy, plus the medications used to prepare for embryo transfer, which commonly cause bloating, mood changes, and injection-site soreness beforehand. Your contract typically adds a dedicated life insurance policy and coverage for surrogacy-related complications on top of your existing OB care.
Health Screening Requirements
Beyond age, most agencies require a prior uncomplicated pregnancy and delivery, a BMI under roughly 32, non-smoker status, and no major pregnancy complications in your history. A full medical and psychological evaluation, paid for by the agency, confirms eligibility before you're matched.
General information, not medical advice — your OB and the intended parents' clinic will review your personal risk profile before you're matched.
Surrogate FAQs
Do I need to have had children to be a surrogate?
Yes. Most agencies require surrogates to have previously given birth to at least one child whom they are currently parenting. This requirement ensures you understand the physical and emotional aspects of pregnancy and childbirth.
Is surrogate pay a salary, and how is it paid?
Surrogate compensation is not a salary: there is no employer or paycheck, and the amounts are set in your surrogacy contract. Base compensation is typically paid in monthly installments during the pregnancy, allowances and reimbursements usually start around the embryo transfer, and an independent escrow account holds the intended parents' funds so payments are released on the contract schedule. Have your own attorney review the payment schedule.
Are surrogacy payments taxable?
The taxability of surrogacy payments varies by jurisdiction and circumstance. Some tax professionals argue it's not taxable income; others disagree. We strongly recommend consulting a tax professional experienced in surrogacy compensation before filing.
How long does the surrogacy process take?
From initial application to birth, the surrogacy process typically takes 18–24 months. This includes screening and matching (3–6 months), legal contracts (1–2 months), embryo transfer preparation (1–2 months), and the pregnancy itself (9 months).
What are the basic surrogate requirements?
Most agencies require surrogates to be: 21–40 years old, have had at least one prior birth with no major complications, be non-smokers, have a BMI under 32, be financially stable (not receiving government assistance), and pass psychological and medical evaluations. Requirements vary by agency.
Surrogate Pay by State
Enter your zip code to jump to your state's pay guide — or compare surrogacy laws in all 50 states.
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Surrogate Pay by Metro Area
City rates can differ from the state average — check yours