8 open collection sites across 6 banks, $500–600 to $2,400.
In California: 8 open walk-in bank sites. Known-donor agencies work nationwide — including California — so a directed match is an option even where no bank is within driving distance.
California lists more than one bank. Published monthly figures are each bank's directory record, including California Cryobank ($2,400/month) and the donor-owned Sperm Bank of California ($950–1,500/month).
How much you make in California depends on which bank you can reach. California Cryobank advertises up to $2,400/month, ~$200 per approved donation, paid by check every other week. Premier Sperm Donors advertises $1,650/month. Fairfax advertises $667–1k/month. Seattle Sperm Bank advertises $1,500/month. Fertility Center of California advertises $500–600/month. The Sperm Bank of California advertises $950–1,500/month. Every monthly figure is an advertised ceiling that assumes near-perfect attendance — real take-home is lower, and part of each payment is held until samples clear the FDA quarantine.
California Cryobank: Fountain Valley CA
California Cryobank: Costa Mesa CA
California Cryobank
Premier Sperm Donors
Seattle Sperm Bank
The Sperm Bank of California Nonprofit
Fairfax Cryobank
Fertility Center of California
Los Angeles metro
California Cryobank ($2,400/mo), Premier Sperm Donors ($1,650/mo), Fairfax Pasadena ($667–1k/mo)
San Francisco Bay Area
The Sperm Bank of California, Berkeley ($950–1,500/mo), California Cryobank Los Altos ($2,400/mo)
San Diego and Tustin
Seattle Sperm Bank La Jolla ($1,500/mo), Fertility Center of California ($500–600/mo)
If you're in Sacramento, the nearest sites are Berkeley (66 mi) and Los Altos (90 mi).
A separate route from the walk-in banks above: directed / known-donor agencies match you to specific intended parents and work nationwide, including California. Each agency's per-cycle figure is on its profile. It doesn't sort against bank pay.
“MSM” = whether the agency welcomes gay/bisexual donors. Directed donation is exempt from the FDA anonymous-bank deferral, but only Seed Scout says so on its own pages — treat “Ask agency” as unconfirmed, not a no.
Bank or agency — how to choose
Legal note
California adopted the Uniform Parentage Act (UPA) 2017, clarifying that sperm donors through a licensed bank have no parental rights or obligations.
Sperm donor pay in California runs $500–600 to $2,400 across 6 banks. California Cryobank pays the most, up to $2,400/month. These are advertised ceilings — most donors take home less, and several banks defer part of each payment until samples clear the FDA quarantine.
There are 8 open collection sites in California: Los Angeles (California Cryobank), Los Altos (California Cryobank), Los Angeles (Premier Sperm Donors), Berkeley (The Sperm Bank of California), La Jolla (Seattle Sperm Bank), Pasadena (Fairfax Cryobank), San Diego (Fertility Center of California), Tustin (Fertility Center of California). You have to visit a site in person, so proximity is the real constraint.
California Cryobank, with a site in Los Angeles, at up to $2,400/month. Higher pay usually comes with stricter screening or a longer commitment.
Fertility Center of California has the lowest published barriers — no height minimum. Acceptance rates are bank-claimed, though, so treat them as marketing rather than your real odds.
Requirements vary by bank. Age, height, and education on this page come from each bank's directory record. The main bottleneck is biological: whether your sample survives the freeze/thaw process.
Yes. Walk-in banks require in-person visits, so they only help if a site is within driving distance. Known-donor agencies work nationwide — including California — and each agency's per-cycle figure is on its own profile. It's also the practical route for gay and bisexual donors.
Independent donor compensation data for sperm and egg programs. Not medical or legal advice. No bank, clinic, or agency pays for placement or ranking. DonorIndex runs no affiliate links and earns no referral fees. Compensation is set by each program. Last verified September–October 2026.