304 Stainless Steel Price Today: $0.342/lb
Current US scrapyard prices for 304 Stainless Steel average $0.342/lb, typically trading between $0.320 and $0.360/lb across 5 reporting facilities. Review physical grading criteria, preparation tips to prevent scale downgrades, and regional price spreads nationwide.
What counts as 304 Stainless Steel
304 is the most common stainless steel: sinks, kitchen equipment, and tanks. It is non-magnetic or only weakly magnetic, and it contains nickel, which is what gives it its value.
Estimate your scale payout
Calculate the estimated cash payout for your 304 Stainless Steel based on current low, average, and high scrapyard scale rates.
304 Stainless Steel Price Trend (12 Months)
12-month historical price chart showing seasonal peaks, scale price momentum, and wholesale exchange benchmark spreads (LME Nickel) for 304 Stainless Steel.
304 Stainless Steel Prices by State
Compare average 304 Stainless Steel prices across reporting US states to identify regional price spreads and local buyer demand.
| State | Average Price | Typical Range | Reporting Yards | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Florida | $0.350/lb | $0.350 – $0.350 | 1 | State Rates → |
| Georgia | $0.320/lb | $0.320 – $0.320 | 1 | State Rates → |
| Oklahoma | $0.320/lb | $0.320 – $0.320 | 1 | State Rates → |
| Tennessee | $0.360/lb | $0.360 – $0.360 | 1 | State Rates → |
| Texas | $0.370/lb | $0.360 – $0.380 | 1 | State Rates → |
How to get the best price for 304 Stainless Steel
Follow these scrapyard grading standards and preparation tips to ensure your 304 Stainless Steel meets top-tier scale specifications without deductions.
Check with a magnet. A strong pull means it is not 304.
Cut off carbon-steel attachments and welds.
Keep 316 (marine and chemical equipment) separate. It usually pays more.
Keep turnings out of the solids pile.
How it compares with similar grades
304 is the volume grade. 316 pays a premium for molybdenum, and magnetic 400-series stainless pays much less.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common answers on scrap metal grading standards, scale payout rules, sorting methods, and scale ticket calculations.
What is 304 stainless steel worth per pound today?
304 Stainless Steel averages $0.342/lb nationally as of Oct 7, 2026. That is about 4.9% of the LME Nickel price.
What is the difference between 304 stainless steel and similar grades?
304 is the volume grade. 316 pays a premium for molybdenum, and magnetic 400-series stainless pays much less.
Why is my scrap yard paying a different price for 304 stainless steel?
The figure here is a national average of prices posted by US scrap yards. Each yard sets its own price based on nearby mill demand, freight, how much you bring, and how it grades your load. Most reports fall between $0.320 and $0.360 per pound. Call two or three yards and ask what grade they would pay for your 304 stainless steel.
Is all stainless steel non-magnetic?
No. 300-series stainless (304 and 316) is non-magnetic or nearly so. 400-series stainless is magnetic and pays much less. Bent or cold-worked 304 can show a slight pull, so a weak magnetic reaction does not prove it is 400-series.