Copper Scrap Prices Today (per Pound)
Compare today's US scrapyard scale rates for Copper scrap per pound, benchmarked across commercial recycling grades from clean solids to mixed alloys. Review current yard averages, state-by-state price spreads, and grade sorting rules before hauling.
Today's Copper Prices by Grade
Current per-pound national average payouts and scale price spreads for all common Copper scrap grades, verified across active US yards.
| Grade | National Scale Avg | Typical Scale Range | 7-Day Trend | Reporting Yards | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bare Bright Copper | $5.14/lb | $5.00 – $5.55 | → +0.5% | 35 yards | Grade Scale Rates → |
| #1 Copper / Copper Wire | $4.98/lb | $4.52 – $5.35 | ▼ -4.6% | 46 yards | Grade Scale Rates → |
| #2 Copper | $4.79/lb | $4.37 – $5.20 | ▼ -4.1% | 47 yards | Grade Scale Rates → |
| Light Copper / Sheet Copper | $4.53/lb | $4.00 – $4.98 | ▲ +3% | 15 yards | Grade Scale Rates → |
| Copper Turnings | $4.10/lb | $4.10 – $4.10 | → | 1 yards | Grade Scale Rates → |
Non-ferrous metals cross platform scales and pay cash per pound.
Scrap Value Calculator
Estimate your cash payout before you haul. Select your metal grade and enter your load weight to see what your scrap is worth at the scale based on verified yard averages and price spreads.
Copper Price Trend (12 Months)
Historical 12-month scale price trajectory and wholesale exchange correlation (COMEX Copper (HG)) for Copper, helping you identify price momentum before you haul to the yard.
How to get the best price for Copper
Straightforward sorting, stripping, and prep tips to upgrade your Copper into top-tier grades and prevent scale downgrades.
Keep bare bright, #1, #2, and insulated wire in separate piles.
Never burn wire to remove insulation. Burnt copper wire is heavily docked as burnt copper and open burning violates EPA Clean Air regulations.
Cut brass fittings and steel off pipe when it is quick to do.
Open the individual grade pages for exact preparation tips.
Copper scrap grades explained
Copper is graded by how clean it is and how much work is left before it can be melted. Bare bright (clean, shiny wire) pays the most, then #1 (clean pipe and bus bar), then #2 (painted, plated, or soldered copper). Insulated wire is paid for the copper inside it, not its gross weight. The table above shows each grade side by side.
Solid copper vs. insulated wire
Solid grades are paid on the weight of copper you bring. Insulated wire is paid on the copper left after the jacket is removed, so a pound of wire pays less than a pound of bare copper. Keep the two separate, or the whole load may be downgraded.
When cleaning copper pays off
Stripping thick wire or cutting soldered joints off pipe can move material up a grade. The wider the price gap between grades in the table above, the more that work is worth.
Copper Prices by State
Regional Copper scale rates vary with local mill demand and freight distance to shredders or port docks. Compare state averages to find top-paying markets.
| State | Average Price | Min Price | Max Price | Reporting Yards | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New York | $4.77 | $4.22 | $6.00 | 9 | State Scale Rates → |
| Texas | $5.27 | $4.70 | $5.72 | 6 | State Scale Rates → |
| West Virginia | $4.53 | $3.75 | $5.40 | 5 | State Scale Rates → |
| Pennsylvania | $5.04 | $4.40 | $5.40 | 4 | State Scale Rates → |
| Tennessee | $5.10 | $4.00 | $5.68 | 4 | State Scale Rates → |
| Florida | $4.91 | $4.00 | $5.40 | 3 | State Scale Rates → |
| Georgia | $4.58 | $3.25 | $5.10 | 3 | State Scale Rates → |
| New Jersey | $5.36 | $5.10 | $5.70 | 3 | State Scale Rates → |
| Connecticut | $4.71 | $4.50 | $5.00 | 2 | State Scale Rates → |
| Illinois | $5.00 | $4.04 | $5.52 | 2 | State Scale Rates → |
| Kentucky | $4.11 | $3.75 | $4.85 | 2 | State Scale Rates → |
| Arizona | $4.70 | $4.50 | $4.90 | 1 | State Scale Rates → |
| Kansas | $4.92 | $4.70 | $5.10 | 1 | State Scale Rates → |
| Massachusetts | $5.09 | $4.80 | $5.30 | 1 | State Scale Rates → |
| Missouri | $5.13 | $5.00 | $5.25 | 1 | State Scale Rates → |
| Ohio | $5.06 | $4.70 | $5.35 | 1 | State Scale Rates → |
| Oklahoma | $5.34 | $5.13 | $5.54 | 1 | State Scale Rates → |
| Wisconsin | $4.40 | $4.40 | $4.40 | 1 | State Scale Rates → |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common answers on scrap metal grading standards, scale payout rules, sorting methods, and scale ticket calculations.
What is the current copper scrap price?
The headline figure is $5.14/lb for Bare Bright Copper as of Oct 12, 2026. Other grades pay more or less, so check the table above.
How are copper scrap prices set?
Scrap copper follows the COMEX and LME spot prices, minus what it costs scrapyards to transport, sort, baling, and refine the material. The cleaner your load, the closer your scale payout sits to the spot market.
Which copper grade pays the most?
Bare bright pays the most, then #1, then #2. Insulated wire is not comparable pound for pound, because you are really selling the copper inside, not the jacket.
What is the difference between bare bright, #1, and #2 copper?
Bare bright is shiny, uncoated wire at least about 16 gauge. #1 is clean pipe or heavy wire with light tarnish or a little solder. #2 has paint, plating, heavy solder, or corrosion.