Surrogate
Pay
Surrogate Pay & Compensation: How Much Do Surrogates Make?
Surrogacy is a fulfilling journey emotionally, and you are compensated monetarily for the wonderful thing that you’re doing. At surrogacy.com our goal is to ensure that you’re paid fairly and that all of your benefits and care are covered. While there are a lot of moving parts to surrogacy compensation, we’re here to help you understand the ins and outs of what goes into surrogate pay and more.
What To Know About Surrogacy Pay
Before talking more specifically about base pay and benefits, there is some general information you should know:
A surrogacy agreement will include a list of all the additional benefits covered throughout a pregnancy (housekeeping, maternity clothes, etc.).
You will never need to cover any medical and insurance expenses out of pocket; intended parents will cover expenses where necessary.
Surrogates are paid for key milestones during the journey, starting before they are even pregnant.
Surrogates are paid an agreed-upon base compensation throughout their surrogacy journey.
Okay, now that we’ve set the groundwork, here’s a deep dive into what’s included for surrogate pay and benefits in a typical journey:
Surrogate Base Pay
Surrogate base pay will typically range between $40,000-$60,000 per pregnancy, and can total up to $50,000-$70,000 with additional benefits. The exact amount a surrogate will make may depend on how many babies you are carrying, your home state, whether you have been a surrogate before, and whether you have health insurance. It’s important to note that surrogates are compensated for additional benefits in addition to their base pay.
Choosing a Surrogacy Agency
Deciding on an agency? It's a big part of the surrogate's pay puzzle. Agencies offer structured compensation packages, so you know exactly what you're getting—base pay plus extras for medical appointments, travel expenses, lost wage compensation, lifestyle benefits, maternity clothes, and more.
Each agency has its own compensation framework, which considers your surrogacy history and any special conditions. Agency choice is one of the most important decisions you’ll make. It directly affects your pay and the level of support you’ll receive—and it’s an important factor in making your surrogacy experience a positive one.
First-Time vs. Experienced Surrogate Pay
Think of experienced surrogates as the seasoned travelers of the surrogacy world. They've journeyed this path before and shown they can navigate it with grace. This expertise often translates to higher compensation.
Intended parents and surrogacy professionals know that experience adds immense value. Agencies may vary in how they acknowledge this; some choose to add a bonus for each of your past surrogacies, recognizing the additional wisdom you carry each time. Others may offer a lump sum to make sure your contribution is met with the generosity it deserves.
Additional Benefits
In addition to your base compensation, you will also receive valuable benefits throughout your journey that bring your total pay and benefits package to the total amount that will be distributed through the span of your surrogacy journey.
Some of those additional benefits include:
Fourth Trimester Care
With most agencies, surrogates will receive monthly stipends post birth, plus additional gifts and benefits to help make recovery a little easier.
Appreciation Gifts
You are doing something amazing, and we and your agency will show our appreciation to you throughout your journey. So never forget to check the mail!
Lifestyle Benefits
This includes everything from childcare to housekeeping, dog sitting coverage and more.
All Travel Expenses & Lost Wages
Intended parents will compensate you for any missed time at work, travel expenses, or added necessities for travel, like childcare.
Life Insurance
Before the big embryo transfer day intended parents will purchase a life insurance policy for you at no cost to you.
Medical Insurance
During your first few months in your surrogacy process, you will work with your chosen agency to get all your ducks in a row! If your existing health insurance covers all surrogacy-related expenses, this will remain your default health insurance. If your existing health insurance does not cover surrogacy-related expenses, the intended parents will pay for 100% of it. In either circumstance, the surrogate will never pay for any surrogacy related expenses.
We know that talking about money isn’t always the most comfortable, but that’s why we’re here! We can share our experiences and help make these tough conversations
a little easier.
Our
Promise
FAQs
The intended parents typically pay all the medical bills and costs associated with your surrogacy, regardless of whether you have your own health insurance.
While hiring a lawyer is essential for your protection during the surrogacy process, all legal costs are typically covered by the intended parents as part of the surrogacy agreement.
Yes, your intended parents will cover any necessary travel-related expenses, including transportation, lodging, meals, missed work time (lost wages), and appointments related to the surrogacy.
Yes, surrogates who carry twins or even triplets receive additional compensation to cover the physical demands of a multiple pregnancy.
Just like real estate, your location can significantly affect your compensation. It's all about the demand for surrogates and the cost of living in your area. Another factor may be how close you live to top-rated clinics across the country.
The IRS does not require 1099s for surrogacy payments. However, every agency operates differently. You should speak to your tax attorney or accountant about your specific situation. Laws vary from state to state, and you should have advice from a tax attorney or accountant to discuss your surrogacy payments and whether they are taxable.
Many agencies pay surrogates at specific milestones along the journey, so, in the unfortunate instance of a miscarriage, they pay up to that point. It depends on the surrogacy agency, as payment structures differ.
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