The research and references behind our compensation estimates
Our compensation estimates are built on real market data — not guesses. Below are the primary categories of sources we use. We review and update our data annually. For a full explanation of how data is applied, see our Methodology page.
We reviewed publicly available compensation information from 30+ licensed agencies across the United States. Agencies surveyed include national agencies with multi-state operations as well as regional specialists in high-volume states (CA, NY, TX, FL, IL). Agency data provides the primary basis for our state tier ranges.
ASRM publishes guidelines on egg donor compensation, recommending that compensation "not be based on the number or quality of oocytes produced." ASRM guidelines inform our understanding of standard practice and ethical compensation norms.
asrm.org →RESOLVE provides consumer-facing information about third-party reproduction including egg donation and surrogacy processes, costs, and expectations. Used for process context and consumer-perspective validation.
resolve.org →SEEDS publishes ethical guidelines for egg donor and surrogate compensation, advocating for fair and transparent practices. Their compensation guidance is used as a cross-reference for reasonableness of our ranges.
seedsethics.org →Reproductive attorneys and law firms publish state-by-state legal guides covering surrogacy laws, enforceability of contracts, parentage orders, and compensation legality. We used publicly available legal analyses to inform our state tier classifications and legal disclaimers, particularly for states where compensated surrogacy may be restricted.
Sources include publications from reproductive law practices and state bar association family law sections. We do not cite specific firms to avoid the appearance of endorsement. For legal guidance specific to your state, consult a licensed reproductive attorney.
We reviewed anonymized, self-reported compensation data shared in egg donor and surrogate communities including Reddit (r/EggDonation, r/Surrogacy), dedicated surrogacy community forums, and Facebook groups. This data provides a real-world check on agency-reported ranges and helps us understand the gap between published ranges and actual paid compensation.
State-level cost of living indices (MIT Living Wage Calculator, Bureau of Labor Statistics regional data) were used to validate and contextualize geographic compensation differences between our tier 1, tier 2, and tier 3 states. Higher-tier states generally correlate with significantly higher cost of living, which is a key driver of higher compensation rates.
| Data Type | Last Updated | Update Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| Agency compensation ranges | 2025–2026 | Annual |
| State tier classifications | 2025 | Annual or on major legal changes |
| Education premium data | 2024–2025 | Annual |
| Experience premium data | 2024–2025 | Annual |
| Allowance estimates (surrogate) | 2025–2026 | Annual |
Know of a data source we should include? Want to report inaccurate data?
Contact Us