Copper Electric Motors Price Today: $0.312/lb
Current US scrapyard prices for Copper Electric Motors average $0.312/lb, typically trading between $0.120 and $0.400/lb across 8 reporting facilities. Review physical grading criteria, preparation tips to prevent scale downgrades, and regional price spreads nationwide.
What counts as Copper Electric Motors
Copper electric motors come from washing machines, dryers, pool pumps, power tools, HVAC blowers, and industrial machinery. Scrap yards buy them whole by weight based on the recoverable copper windings inside, which typically make up 8% to 15% of the motor's total weight.
Estimate your scale payout
Calculate the estimated cash payout for your Copper Electric Motors based on current low, average, and high scrapyard scale rates.
Copper Electric Motors Price Trend (12 Months)
12-month historical price chart showing seasonal peaks, scale price momentum, and wholesale exchange benchmark spreads (COMEX Copper (HG)) for Copper Electric Motors.
Copper Electric Motors Prices by State
Compare average Copper Electric Motors prices across reporting US states to identify regional price spreads and local buyer demand.
| State | Average Price | Typical Range | Reporting Yards | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Georgia | $0.360/lb | $0.360 – $0.360 | 1 | State Rates → |
| Illinois | $0.110/lb | $0.110 – $0.110 | 1 | State Rates → |
| Kansas | $0.400/lb | $0.400 – $0.400 | 1 | State Rates → |
| Kentucky | $0.300/lb | $0.300 – $0.300 | 1 | State Rates → |
| New Jersey | $0.375/lb | $0.350 – $0.400 | 1 | State Rates → |
| Pennsylvania | $0.500/lb | $0.500 – $0.500 | 1 | State Rates → |
| Texas | $0.300/lb | $0.300 – $0.300 | 1 | State Rates → |
| Wisconsin | $0.108/lb | $0.100 – $0.190 | 1 | State Rates → |
How to get the best price for Copper Electric Motors
Follow these scrapyard grading standards and preparation tips to ensure your Copper Electric Motors meets top-tier scale specifications without deductions.
Cut off the external power cord flush with the housing and sell the cord separately as insulated copper wire.
Unbolt heavy iron pulleys, mounting brackets, and external fan blades if they come off easily.
Scratch the stator windings with a file or utility knife. If the scratch is reddish-orange, the windings are copper. If silver, they are aluminum, which pays a much lower rate.
Keep electric motors separate from sealed compressor units, alternators, and light ballasts.
How it compares with similar grades
Copper electric motors pay higher than aluminum-wound motors or shredded steel, but less than automotive alternators (which have higher copper density) and far less than stripped #1 or #2 copper wire.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common answers on scrap metal grading standards, scale payout rules, sorting methods, and scale ticket calculations.
What is copper electric motors worth per pound today?
Copper Electric Motors averages $0.312/lb nationally as of Oct 13, 2026. That is about 4.7% of the COMEX Copper (HG) price.
What is the difference between copper electric motors and similar grades?
Copper electric motors pay higher than aluminum-wound motors or shredded steel, but less than automotive alternators (which have higher copper density) and far less than stripped #1 or #2 copper wire.
Why is my scrap yard paying a different price for copper electric motors?
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 $0.120 and $0.400 per pound. Call two or three yards and ask what grade they would pay for your copper electric motors.
Is it worth tearing down electric motors for the copper?
Usually not for standard small motors unless you have heavy industrial motors or specialized cutting tools. Smashing motor casings with a hammer is labor-intensive and dangerous for only a pound or two of copper. Most scrappers make more money selling them whole by the pound.
How can I tell if a motor has copper or aluminum windings?
Many newer motors look like copper because the aluminum wire is coated with amber varnish. Scratch the wire deeply with a pocket knife or file. Bright silver underneath means aluminum windings; salmon-copper color means true copper windings.
Do alternators and starters sell as electric motors?
Automotive alternators and starters are usually bought as their own higher-paying automotive core grades. Alternators have dense copper windings inside an aluminum housing and generally pay more per pound than generic appliance motors.