Today's Prices — August 01, 2026
| Grade / Type | Price | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| Copper Bare Bright | $3.80–$4.20/lb | ↑ |
| Copper #1 Insulated Wire | $2.60–$3.20/lb | ↑ |
| Aluminum Extrusion (6061/6063) | $0.55–$0.75/lb | → |
| Yellow Brass | $1.80–$2.20/lb | ↑ |
| Red Brass | $2.00–$2.40/lb | ↑ |
| 304 Stainless Steel | $0.35–$0.55/lb | → |
| 316 Stainless Steel | $0.45–$0.70/lb | ↑ |
| Inconel 625 | $8.00–$14.00/lb | ↑ |
| Lead (soft) | $0.55–$0.75/lb | → |
| Steel HMS #1 | $220–$280/ton | → |
How Scrap Metal Pricing Works
Scrap metal pricing is based on commodity markets. Non-ferrous metals (copper, aluminum, brass, nickel alloys) are priced daily based on the London Metal Exchange (LME). Ferrous metals (steel, iron) are priced weekly based on domestic mill demand. Precious metals (platinum, palladium, rhodium in catalytic converters) are priced based on spot markets.
Factors That Affect Your Scrap Metal Price
- Metal type and grade: 316 stainless is worth 35% more than 304. Inconel 718 is worth more than Inconel 600. Knowing your grade matters.
- Cleanliness: Contamination (steel in aluminum, plastic on copper) reduces price by 20–50%.
- Quantity: Truckload quantities get better per-pound pricing than small loads.
- Market timing: Copper prices fluctuate 10–20% over a month. Large loads can be worth holding for a few days if prices are rising.
- Location: Freight costs affect net pricing for large loads. We offer free pickup for loads over 500 lbs.
Scrap Metal Pricing by Category
Nickel superalloys are the highest-value category at $6–$18/lb. These include Inconel, Hastelloy, Monel, Waspaloy, and Rene alloys from aerospace and industrial applications.
Copper and copper alloys (copper wire, brass, bronze) are the most commonly traded high-value metals at $1.80–$4.20/lb.
Stainless steel pays $0.35–$1.20/lb depending on grade. It is one of the most common industrial scrap metals.
Aluminum pays $0.25–$0.75/lb depending on grade and cleanliness. It is the most recycled metal in the world.
Steel and iron are priced by the ton at $120–$290/ton and are the highest-volume scrap metal category.
See our full current prices page for all metals updated daily.
Frequently Asked Questions
Get a Live Quote Now
Call us with your material and quantity — we'll give you a price in minutes.
Call (754) 310-2984 Use Calculator