Quick Answer
A positive (A+) is the second most common blood type in the United States, found in about 34% of the population. A+ donors can absolutely donate plasma, and pay rates are the same as any other blood type at commercial plasma centers ($50-$100 per visit). A+ plasma can be given to A+ and AB+ recipients. While AB plasma is the universal donor type and sometimes commands special programs, A+ plasma is always in high demand simply because so many patients share your blood type.
A Positive Blood Type: What It Means
A positive is defined by two key markers on the surface of your red blood cells:
- A antigen: Your red blood cells carry the A antigen on their surface
- Rh factor positive: Your cells also carry the Rh (D) antigen, making you Rh-positive
How Common Is A+ in the US?
| Blood Type | Percentage of US Population | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| O+ | 37.4% | 1st (most common) |
| A+ | 35.7% | 2nd |
| B+ | 8.5% | 3rd |
| AB+ | 3.4% | 4th |
| O- | 6.6% | 5th |
| A- | 6.3% | 6th |
| B- | 1.5% | 7th |
| AB- | 0.6% | 8th (rarest) |
Because A+ is so common, there is always strong demand for A+ plasma in hospitals and for pharmaceutical manufacturing. Roughly one in three Americans could potentially receive your plasma, making every donation valuable.
Blood Type Distribution by Ethnicity
A+ prevalence varies across ethnic groups in the US:
- Caucasian: ~33% are A+
- African American: ~24% are A+
- Hispanic: ~29% are A+
- Asian: ~27% are A+
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A+ Plasma Compatibility: Who Can Receive Your Plasma?
Plasma compatibility works differently from red blood cell compatibility. With red blood cells, you match by antigen (what is on the cell). With plasma, you match by antibody (what is in the liquid). A+ plasma contains anti-B antibodies, which limits its recipient pool:
A+ Plasma Can Be Given To:
- A+ recipients -- exact match
- A- recipients -- Rh factor does not matter for plasma transfusions
A+ Plasma CANNOT Be Given To:
- B+, B- recipients -- your anti-B antibodies would attack their B antigens
- O+, O- recipients -- your anti-B antibodies are incompatible
- AB+, AB- recipients -- your anti-B antibodies would attack their B antigens
Understanding Plasma vs Red Blood Cell Compatibility
| Donation Type | A+ Can Give To | A+ Can Receive From |
|---|---|---|
| Red Blood Cells | A+, AB+ | A+, A-, O+, O- |
| Plasma | A+, A- | A+, AB+, A-, AB- |
This is an important distinction that many donors do not understand: plasma compatibility is essentially the reverse of red blood cell compatibility. While A+ red blood cells can go to A+ and AB+ patients, A+ plasma can go to A+ and A- patients. The rules are different because plasma contains antibodies rather than antigens.
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At commercial plasma centers (BioLife, CSL Plasma, Grifols, Octapharma, BPL Plasma, KEDPLASMA), your blood type does not affect your pay rate. All donors are compensated the same regardless of blood type:
| Pay Factor | Impact on A+ Donors |
|---|---|
| Blood type | No impact -- all types paid equally |
| Body weight | Yes -- 175+ lbs = highest pay tier (880 mL donation) |
| New donor bonuses | Yes -- $700-$1,200 in first month regardless of type |
| Loyalty programs | Yes -- frequent donors earn bonus payments |
| Center location | Yes -- rates vary by city and competition |
Typical A+ Donor Earnings
| Frequency | Per Visit | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Once per week | $50-$75 | $200-$300 | $2,400-$3,600 |
| Twice per week (max) | $50-$100 | $400-$800 | $4,800-$9,600 |
| Twice per week + bonuses | $65-$125 | $520-$1,000 | $6,240-$12,000 |
Commercial plasma centers use your plasma for pharmaceutical manufacturing (immunoglobulin therapy, albumin, clotting factors) regardless of blood type. The manufacturing process does not require blood type matching, which is why all donors earn the same base rate.
A+ vs AB Plasma: The Universal Donor Comparison
You may have heard that AB plasma is the "universal donor" type for plasma. Here is how A+ compares and why both types are valuable:
Why AB Plasma Is Called Universal
AB plasma contains neither anti-A nor anti-B antibodies, so it can be safely given to patients of any blood type in emergency transfusions. This makes AB plasma especially valuable for trauma centers and emergency rooms where there is no time to determine a patient's blood type.
Does AB Plasma Pay More?
- At commercial plasma centers: No. BioLife, CSL Plasma, Grifols, and other commercial centers pay all blood types equally because plasma is used for pharmaceutical manufacturing, not direct transfusion
- At hospital blood banks: Sometimes. Some hospital-affiliated blood banks and the American Red Cross have special AB plasma programs where AB donors may receive priority scheduling or modest incentives for direct-transfusion plasma
- Research programs: Occasionally. Certain research studies may seek specific blood types, but these are uncommon and vary by location
The A+ Advantage: Volume of Demand
While AB is the universal plasma type, only about 4% of the US population is AB. In contrast, 34% is A+. This means hospitals need enormous quantities of A+ plasma to serve A-type patients -- roughly a third of all patients. The demand for A+ plasma is massive, even though its compatibility pool is smaller than AB. Every A+ donation matters.
Best Strategies for A+ Donors
As an A+ donor, you can maximize your impact and earnings with these strategies:
- Donate at commercial centers for maximum pay: Since blood type does not affect compensation at commercial plasma centers, focus on the centers in your area that pay the highest rates. Use the Plasma Pay Calculator to compare
- Stack new donor bonuses: Most centers offer $700-$1,200 in new donor bonuses over your first month. These promotions apply equally to all blood types
- Maximize your weight tier: If you weigh close to 175 lbs, hitting that threshold qualifies you for the highest plasma volume (880 mL) and highest pay tier
- Donate consistently: Twice-weekly donations (the FDA maximum) generates $400-$800+ per month. Consistency is more important than blood type for maximizing earnings
- Consider whole blood donation alongside plasma: As an A+ donor, your whole blood is compatible with A+ and AB+ recipients (about 38% of the population). Donating whole blood at a nonprofit blood bank (American Red Cross, local blood bank) every 56 days alongside regular plasma donation maximizes your community impact
- Hydrate and eat protein: Proper preparation prevents deferrals and speeds up donation time. This applies to all blood types, but consistent donors who avoid deferrals earn significantly more annually
Frequently Asked Questions
Does A positive blood type affect how much I get paid for plasma?
No. Commercial plasma centers (BioLife, CSL Plasma, Grifols, Octapharma) pay all blood types equally. Your compensation is determined by body weight, center location, promotions, and donation frequency -- not blood type. A+ donors earn the same $50-$100 per visit as any other type.
Who can receive A+ plasma?
A+ plasma can be given to A+ and A- recipients. It cannot be given to B, O, or AB blood type patients because A+ plasma contains anti-B antibodies that would be incompatible. Note that plasma compatibility is different from red blood cell compatibility.
Is A+ plasma less valuable than AB plasma?
Not at commercial plasma centers. AB plasma is called "universal donor plasma" because it lacks anti-A and anti-B antibodies, making it usable for all blood types in emergencies. However, commercial centers use plasma for pharmaceutical manufacturing where blood type does not matter, so A+ and AB plasma are compensated identically. At some hospital blood banks, AB donors may receive special priority, but this does not apply to commercial donation.
How common is A positive blood type?
A+ is the second most common blood type in the United States, found in approximately 34-36% of the population. Only O+ is more common at about 37%. This means roughly one in three Americans has A+ blood, creating strong and consistent demand for A+ plasma in medical settings.
Can A+ donors donate both plasma and whole blood?
Yes. You can donate plasma at a commercial center (up to twice per week) and also donate whole blood at a nonprofit blood bank (every 56 days). These are separate processes that do not conflict with each other as long as you follow the required waiting periods. Donating both maximizes your contribution since A+ whole blood serves A+ and AB+ patients while your plasma serves A+ and A- patients.