Could your daily bathroom trip actually make you money?
Sounds wild, but it’s true! There’s a quirky side hustle out there that involves—yes, you guessed it—getting paid to poop.
Folks are actually cashing in on something we all do anyway.
I’m not talking about picking up poop, I’m talking about your poop.
It’s a real gig, with real earnings, and a lot less gross than you’re probably imagining.
Curious how it works? Stick around!
I’ll break down exactly what you need to know, from how much you can make to how to get started.
Maybe you can turn your bathroom breaks into a paycheck — might be the perfect opportunity to check out those survey sites 
Wait—Getting Paid to Do What?
Poop donation is exactly what it sounds like—getting paid to donate your stool!
Believe it or not, your poop can be life-changing for people dealing with serious gut issues.
Doctors use healthy stool to help restore gut bacteria in patients battling conditions like C. difficile infections.
Donors provide samples (yes, the poop kind) regularly, and in return, earn decent cash.
As one hopeful donor humorously shared, it’s a unique way to make money—provided you can pass the strict health screenings.
It’s quirky, but it saves lives and pads your wallet.
Organizations That Literally Pay for Your Poop
If you’re intrigued by the idea of turning your bathroom habits into a paycheck, several US organizations are on the lookout for healthy stool donors.
Here’s a quick rundown:
GoodNature Program
GoodNature Program is run by Seres Therapeutics.
They collect stool donations to develop treatments for serious gut illnesses like recurrent C. difficile infections.
By studying beneficial microbes in your stool, they create medicines that help restore gut health for patients in need.
Donors can participate regularly, contributing several times a week to this life-changing research.
According to the site, you can earn up to $1,500 a month.
Human Microbes
HumanMicrobes connects exceptionally healthy stool donors with researchers and patients needing fecal microbiota transplants (FMT).
They emphasize finding individuals with top-tier gut health to aid in vital microbiome research and effective treatments.
They’re willing to pay up to $500 per sample, but don’t rush to the toilet just yet.
Human Microbes is extremely difficult to qualify for.
Per the site, ideal donors are under 30 and “in exceptional health.” They estimate that fewer than 0.1% of people meet the criteria, which is why they’re willing to pay so much.
OpenBiome
OpenBiome, a nonprofit stool bank, previously collected stool samples for research and treating various gut conditions.
They aimed to advance understanding of gut microbiomes and provided samples for clinical use.
However, note that OpenBiome recently closed their donor program and no longer accepts new donors.
Clinical Trials and Other Unconventional Ways to Get Paid to Poop
Beyond the usual donation programs, there are a few quirky ways you can earn money from your bathroom breaks.
Medical trials occasionally need stool samples for research.
A 2024 U.S. study, for instance, offered up to $300 (plus bonuses) to moms and babies contributing samples as part of broader research.
It’s less consistent than donor programs, but still offers cash for your contributions.
Then there’s the humorous side: apps like Poop Salary calculate how much money you earn while pooping during work hours, converting bathroom breaks into dollars earned.
It’s funny, not literal—but it highlights the unexpected ways poop can be “valuable.”
And don’t forget environmental projects!
A South Korean professor once invented a toilet that converted poop into biogas, rewarding students with digital currency for each use.
Students then redeemed this quirky “toilet crypto” for snacks like coffee or bananas.
If there’s value in poop, someone will find a way to pay you for it!
How Much Can You Actually Earn?
So, how much does this pay?
It depends on the organization and your donation schedule, but it can definitely add up.
At HumanMicrobes, each poop donation can fetch around $500—yes, per donation!
That means if you’re a daily donor (impressive!), you could earn as much as $180,000 per year.
Meanwhile, the GoodNature Program pays $25 to $75 per visit, allowing consistent donors to pocket around $1,500 a month.
Clinical trials can be another great way to make money donating poop.
While they usually pay a bit less than dedicated stool banks, you can still earn some decent cash while helping science.
For example, a study at Massachusetts General Hospital pays participants up to $1,000 to provide stool samples.
Other trials might offer smaller payments, typically between $10 and $50 per donation, or give gift cards instead.
The exact pay varies depending on the study and its budget.
It might not be a full-time gig, but it’s a solid way to earn extra money while supporting important medical research.
Okay, I’m Interested. How Do I Start?
Here’s how it works—step by step.
First, you’ll fill out a detailed online questionnaire about:
- your health
- eating habits
- daily lifestyle
Be prepared — these questionnaires dig deep into your diet, medications, travel history, and even stress levels.
If your application catches their eye, you’ll undergo rigorous health screenings.
This typically means blood tests and stool samples to rule out infections or chronic conditions.
They’re usually very strict!
For example, you’ll need to:
- be free of antibiotics for at least six months
- have no history of digestive illnesses (like IBS or Crohn’s)
- maintain regular, healthy bowel movements—yes, they actually track that
Once approved, you’ll visit a designated collection center regularly, usually multiple times per week.
You’ll provide your donation there, where it’s immediately tested, processed, and frozen for later medical use.
It’s a highly selective process, as only the healthiest donors make the cut.
But as this detailed guide shows, if you qualify, you’re not only earning good money—up to thousands a year—but also genuinely helping people recover from serious gut-related conditions.
Why do they have to be so stringent? Read more about it here.
The Odd Realities You Need to Know
Let’s get real about the quirky truths of getting paid to poop.
First off, there’s the awkwardness to get through.
Chatting about your side hustle isn’t exactly dinner-table conversation.
As one stool donor manager admitted, “We’re really embracing the awkwardness of this. It’s uncomfortable to speak about poop—just saying poop sometimes is awkward, it’s funny, but it’s helpful here.”
And logistically, there are some hurdles.
Programs like GoodNature require donors to live near their collection sites and commit to multiple visits per week, which can be a scheduling challenge.
Plus, any changes in health or recent travel can temporarily disqualify you from donating, interrupting your routine and earnings.
Despite these oddities, many donors find the experience rewarding, knowing they’re contributing to life-saving treatments.
And, of course, earning some extra cash along the way.
Alternatives to Getting Paid to Poop
Donating Plasma
Donating blood plasma may be a more consistent side hustle.
Each donation pays $20-50 and you can go several times a month–if you don’t mind needles.
A friend of mine reported earning up to $300 a month donating plasma when she was in college. This can be a time-consuming process, but can help save lives.
Pet Waste Removal
Another way to monetize poop is getting paid to pick up after dogs in your neighborhood.
Picking up dog poop for homeowners may not be the most glamorous business, but it can be a pretty lucrative one. Startup costs are low, and once you sign on clients, they’re likely to stick with you week after week.
One Side Hustle Show guest described charging $14-20 per yard per week, and had attracted more than 80 recurring customers. She estimated it was worth $50 an hour, part-time.
Rare Patient Voice
Rare Patient Voice is a survey site with a unique purpose.
It connects patients and caregivers with researchers who need real feedback on healthcare.
If you have a chronic illness or care for someone who does, you can get paid to share your experiences.
It’s a chance to make your voice heard in a meaningful way while earning cash on the side.
Surveys here are health-related and tend to pay well—over $100 per hour.
Conclusion
Getting paid for your poop might sound bizarre, but it’s officially a real side hustle—and it’s picking up steam.
While it definitely has its quirks (awkward explanations, careful screenings, and scheduling your day around bathroom visits), it’s a genuine way to earn cash and support medical advances.
Donors who fit the bill can bring home hundreds or even thousands each year.
So yes, there’s humor in selling your stool, but it’s also oddly fulfilling—you’re helping advance gut health research and patient care.
Who’d have guessed that one of your most basic routines could turn into an impactful income stream?
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Frequently Asked Questions
What disqualifies you from donating poop?
Honestly, becoming a stool donor isn’t for everyone.
Programs look for healthy individuals usually aged 18 to 50 with regular bowel habits.
Certain factors can disqualify you, like:
- Recent antibiotic use.
- History of gastrointestinal diseases like Crohn’s or IBS.
- Chronic illnesses, including diabetes.
- Regular medication use.
- Smoking habits.
Each program has its own criteria, so it’s essential to review them before applying!
How much do fecal donors get paid?
Compensation varies by program and location.
For example, the GoodNature program offers up to $1,500 per month for regular donors.
Some programs may offer more or less, depending on their needs and your commitment.
But hey, you’d be getting paid for something we all do for free!
How do you become a stool donor?
Getting started is easy, but thorough.
First, you’ll likely have to fill out an online health survey to see if you meet basic requirements.
If you pass that initial check, you’ll do some medical tests—think bloodwork and stool samples—to confirm you’re healthy and infection-free.
After approval, you’ll regularly visit a donation center (often several times a week) to drop off your samples.
Donor programs prioritize reliability, so consistency matters!
They’re usually looking for folks who can stick around and donate frequently over time, making it a steady, ongoing commitment.
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