Scrap Metal Prices

You got it! Knowing the current prices is essential for maximizing your profits as a Scrap Master.

Here are the current representative scrap metal prices for the Philadelphia area, as of August 2025.

IMPORTANT REMINDER:

• Prices change daily. These are general ranges.

• ALWAYS CALL AHEAD to your specific scrap yard to confirm their exact prices for the day and for your specific type and condition of metal.

• Sorting and cleanliness are CRITICAL for getting the best prices.

Current Representative Philadelphia Scrap Metal Prices (as of August 2025, per pound unless specified):

Copper (Your Top Tier Profit Makers!)

• Bare Bright Copper Wire: $4.00 - $4.10 / Lb.

  • The cleanest, stripped copper. This is your gold standard!

• #1 Copper (Clean Tubing/Pipe): $3.75 - $3.85 / Lb.

  • Clean copper pipe, no fittings or solder.

• #2 Copper (Tarnished, with minor impurities): $3.60 / Lb.

  • Most common copper wires, pipe with solder, etc.

• Insulated Copper Wire (various grades):

  • THHN (82-88%): $2.60 - $3.39 / Lb. (Higher gauge, more copper content)

  • Romex Wire: $2.30 / Lb.

  • Extension Cords: $1.10 / Lb.

  • Low Grade / Christmas Lights: $0.20 - $0.56 / Lb.

Aluminum (Lightweight, Heavy Payouts if Sorted!)

• Aluminum Cans (UBC): $0.50 - $0.65 / Lb.

  • Best to separate these!

• Clean Aluminum Extrusion (6063): $0.81 - $0.85 / Lb.

  • Often from window frames, clean siding.

• Cast Aluminum: $0.42 - $0.58 / Lb.

  • Engine parts, transmission cases.

• Aluminum Siding (Painted): $0.65 / Lb.

• Clean Aluminum Wheels: $0.80 - $0.83 / Lb.

Brass (Yellow Gold, Redder is Better!)

• Yellow Brass: $2.00 - $2.40 / Lb.

  • Faucets, keys, basic plumbing fixtures.

• Red Brass: $2.50 - $2.90 / Lb.

  • Higher copper content, often found in marine fittings, some valves.

• Brass Shells (Clean): $2.10 - $2.60 / Lb.

• Dirty Brass (with steel/die cast): $0.35 - $0.50 / Lb.

Stainless Steel (Often Non-Magnetic, Still Valuable!)

• Stainless Steel (304 Clean): $0.20 - $0.43 / Lb.

• Stainless Steel (316 Clean): $0.67 - $0.80 / Lb.

• Dirty Stainless Steel: $0.10 / Lb.

Iron & Steel (The Bulk Builders!)

• Light Iron (Misc. Steel): $7.00 / 100 Lb.

  • Appliance shells, sheet metal. Often processed as Shred.

• Prepared Steel (Under 5 ft.): $9.50 / 100 Lb.

• Cast Iron (Rotors/Drums): $7.00 - $11.00 / 100 Lb.

• Complete Cars: Around $7.50 / 100 Lb.

Other Notables (Don't Miss These!)

• Electric Motors: $0.18 - $0.32 / Lb.

• Sealed Units (from AC/Refrigerators): $0.20 / Lb.

• Catalytic Converters: Varies greatly (from $8 - $450+ per unit) – get specific quotes!

The Scrap Master's Tip for Maximizing Your Payouts:

Even more important than the current price list is how you prepare your metal:

• SORT, SORT, SORT! Never bring a mixed load. Separate your ferrous (magnetic: iron, steel) from your non-ferrous (non-magnetic: copper, aluminum, brass). Then, separate all your non-ferrous metals by type and even by grade (like different types of copper).

• CLEAN IS KING! Remove all non-metal contaminants – plastic, wood, rubber, excessive dirt, even paint – from your metal. "Clean" scrap commands significantly higher prices.

• CALL AHEAD! Prices fluctuate daily. Before you make that trip to the scrap yard, call them or check their specific website for their exact prices today. Compare a few local Philadelphia yards if you have large volumes.

Knowing these prices and applying the Scrap Master's strategies will ensure you get top dollar for every haul!