How Much Does a Surrogate Get Paid?
Our surrogates can earn up to $75,000+ in total compensation, including benefits. Promise believes that our surrogates deserve exceptional pay for their incredible commitment. With over 30 years of experience, we've built a compensation package around what surrogates actually need — from guaranteed pay to full medical coverage. Your compensation includes a personalized base pay, starting at $45,000, plus numerous perks and essential coverages for you and your family. And our Journey Protection™ Pay Promise ensures you receive 100% of your qualified compensation!
Surrogate Pay Can Help Your Family
We know being a surrogate is about more than the money — it's about helping make parenthood possible for other families. Being a surrogate is a selfless and generous gift, and it's okay to ask about compensation and the benefits of being a surrogate so you can financially plan for your family.
You may be able to:
- Buy your dream home
- Purchase a new family car
- Fund your child's future education
- Book that big family vacation
You'll have so many possibilities! Who knew helping someone else could do so much for your own family?
“Surrogacy allowed our family to pay down debt, start a college savings plan, and finally take the vacation we had been postponing for years.”—Claire, Promise Surrogate
Promise Offers the Most Comprehensive Compensation Package
When you become a surrogate with us, you can expect the services and resources of a large agency without sacrificing that small agency feel. Our commitment to you, your family, and your journey does not stop with your base pay. In fact, you will receive additional benefits and perks along the way.
Our compensation includes:
Base Pay and Journey Milestone Payments
Paid directly to youSpecial Perks and Gifts
Paid directly to youLegal, Medical, and Life Insurance Benefits
Paid on your behalfOur generous base pay starts at $45,000. You will also receive medical, legal, and life insurance benefits, plus pregnancy perks and gifts. Every surrogate's package is unique, and we work with you to understand your needs and build the right one for you and your family.
Apply NowOur commitments to you:
Guaranteed Compensation
You will always be paid, no matter what.
Promise financially backs all intended parents, so your escrow account is always funded in advance. You'll always be paid in full and on time, even if unexpected costs arise.
No Medical Bill Liability
Never pay a medical bill. Ever.
We take on the liability for medical bills. While we can never stop having you receive medical bills (you are the "patient"), our all-inclusive Fixed Cost program for intended parents allows us to protect both you and your intended parents to ensure all medical bills will be paid in a timely manner.
Legal Protection
Your rights are always protected.
All surrogates work directly with a surrogacy attorney for legal guidance to ensure their rights are protected. You will have an attorney separate from your intended parents. Your legal counsel ensures the terms of your contract with your intended parents are fair, and that your voice is heard. All of your legal fees are paid for by your intended parents.
Life Insurance
Your family is protected, too.
Your peace of mind and your family's security are of the utmost importance. Promise ensures you and your family are protected throughout your journey with a $500,000 life insurance plan, purchased by your intended parents. This coverage provides additional security and demonstrates our commitment to supporting not just you but your family throughout this journey.
If by chance you are accepted into our surrogate program, are medically cleared, and matched with intended parents — but you don't become pregnant — we will compensate you for your time, energy, and dedication thus far in your journey (up to $5,000 total).
No Agency Protects and Advocates More for Surrogates Than We Do
True protection is more than just good intentions. It means having thoughtful, effective ways to care for your well-being and your family's security throughout your surrogate journey.
Over the past three decades, we have built protections into every part of the surrogate experience — guaranteed compensation, fully funded legal representation, life insurance, and full medical bill coverage. From our thorough application process to our ongoing emotional support, we understand that this decision affects your entire family — which is why our support extends far beyond just compensation.
Claire Bennett
Promise Senior Manager of Surrogate Success
2x Experienced Surrogate
With our Surrogate Pay Promise, we ensure 100% guaranteed compensation to all of our surrogates. Promise financially backs all intended parents to ensure your money in escrow is 100% guaranteed and always funded in advance. We created the Journey Protection™ Pay Promise because we truly care about our carriers, and we want each of them to have the most successful and stress-free journey possible.
Surrogate Pay and Benefits Timing
Surrogates receive compensation throughout the duration of their journeys, with payments made pre-pregnancy, during pregnancy, and post-pregnancy.
Typical Surrogate Compensation*
Total estimated compensation: $45,000 – $65,000+
*These figures reflect first-time surrogate compensation. Experienced surrogates generally receive higher pay. Your total depends on the specifics of your journey, including:
- the number of transfers
- delivery type
- lost wages
- payments specific to your pregnancy such as multiples or a C-section
Your personal pay and benefits is an estimate because there may be payments that may vary during your journey. These include:
- the number of transfers required for pregnancy
- your travel costs
- potential lost wages or childcare costs
- post-birth recovery costs
- any payments specific to your journey, such as mock cycles, multiples, C-section, etc.
If you feel there is something to add to your compensation, just ask! We want you to feel cared for and heard throughout your entire journey.
Additional Perks and Surrogate Benefits
When you join us to help others create a family, the benefits and perks you receive go far beyond your compensation. We appreciate YOU, including your emotional and physical commitment throughout the surrogate process.
Only our surrogates receive these benefits and perks during their journey:
Benefits Paid on Your Behalf
Your intended parents will cover all medical bills, pay for your legal counsel, and purchase a $500,000 life insurance policy on your behalf.
Perks Just for You
You'll also receive perks during your pregnancy and after delivery, like family meals and a maternity clothing allowance as baby grows.
Gifts and Extras to Add Comfort to the Journey
You'll receive little tokens of appreciation throughout your surrogacy — gifts to use while pregnant or gifts to simply enjoy. These surprise gifts arrive at meaningful moments during your journey, from care packages during your medication phase to celebration gifts after major milestones. Each gift is thoughtfully chosen to show appreciation for your dedication and to add special touches of comfort and joy throughout your experience.
Support From Day One
You'll have access to support from a welcoming Promise team and a helpful, private Promise surrogate social community.
One of the first people you speak with at Promise may likely be an experienced surrogate on our team who's with you through the process until you are matched with intended parents. They will help you meet your dedicated, in-house mental health professional and journey support team.
You'll also connect with other surrogates through our private online community, support groups, one-on-one mentorship, and special events.
Birth Choice Empowerment
We understand that not all surrogates prefer the same birthing method, so we empower you to decide what's best for you. You can choose your birth options, such as a doula, a hospital birth, or using a birth center with a midwife.
Detailed Surrogacy Payment Schedule
Surrogacy payment spans the three stages of your surrogate journey — pre-pregnancy, during pregnancy, and post-birth. The chart lays out when you can expect payments to make it easier to financially plan for your family.
Standard Surrogate Compensation
Pre-Pregnancy
Pregnancy
Post-Pregnancy
*Paid in advance from your base pay
Download Our Surrogate Compensation GuideSurrogate Pay FAQs
Because we financially back intended parents, the escrow account will always be funded. Our Pay Promise to you is that you are 100% guaranteed pay, no matter what happens.
No. Your intended parents will pay the fees outlined for you in your screening and agreed upon in the contract. This is not meant to be an out-of-pocket expense to you.
Promise does not provide surrogates with 1099s. Tax laws vary from state to state, so you should speak with a tax attorney or accountant who is well-versed in your surrogacy contract and the surrogacy process about your specific situation.
Our Journey Protection™ Program covers all the insurance expenses that your intended parents are responsible for paying. Attorneys at Promise review your insurance policy to see what may be covered by that policy and if additional insurance is needed — if so, Promise will purchase that on behalf of your intended parents. In the end, your intended parents, backed by our Journey Protection™ Program, will cover all expenses related to pregnancy and delivery, including co-payments, deductibles, co-insurance, or denied claims.
Your intended parents will cover any necessary travel expenses for you and your travel companion to their IVF clinic for the screening and transfer, including lost wages or childcare coverage.
Yes, your partner — or primary support person — will be paid for lost wages when traveling with you for your medical screening and embryo transfer, as well as being compensated for lost wages after your delivery.
Generally speaking, surrogacy applicants must be between the ages of 21 and 42, have a history of uncomplicated pregnancies, and live in a surrogate-friendly state — we are unable to accept applicants from Nebraska or Louisiana at this time. We invite you to review the detailed requirements on our website and complete the online questionnaire if you're uncertain whether you qualify.
“The matching process exceeded every expectation. My intended parents and I connected immediately, and seeing their joy when they met their daughter made the entire journey unforgettable. The Promise team supported us at every step.”
—Jordan, Promise Surrogate
Ready to Help Your Family?
Surrogacy creates beautiful connections between families while helping you achieve your own goals. When you become a surrogate, you're giving the incredible gift of parenthood to others who have always dreamed of welcoming a baby home. This meaningful journey builds lasting bonds and memories that extend far beyond the financial benefits. Ready to explore how surrogacy could benefit your family while helping others? Start your surrogacy journey today.
Apply Now