Electric Motor Scrap Prices Today (per Pound)
Compare today's US scrapyard scale rates for Electric Motor 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 Electric Motor Prices by Grade
Current per-pound national average payouts and scale price spreads for all common Electric Motor scrap grades, verified across active US yards.
| Grade | National Scale Avg | Typical Scale Range | 7-Day Trend | Reporting Yards | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Copper Electric Motors | $0.312/lb | $0.120 – $0.400 | ▼ -23.5% | 8 yards | Grade Scale Rates → |
| Automotive Alternators | $0.650/lb | $0.600 – $0.705 | ▲ +8.3% | 4 yards | |
| Sealed Unit Compressors (Appliance) | $0.255/lb | $0.250 – $0.260 | → 0% | 2 yards | |
| Automotive Starters | $0.200/lb | $0.200 – $0.200 | → | 1 yards | |
| Aluminum & Dirty Motors | $0.100/lb | $0.100 – $0.100 | → 0% | 1 yards | |
| Automotive AC Compressors | $0.367/lb | $0.350 – $0.400 | → | 3 yards | |
| Copper Transformers | $0.425/lb | $0.253 – $0.548 | → | 8 yards | |
| Aluminum & Steel Transformers | $0.105/lb | $0.050 – $0.163 | → | 6 yards | |
| Light Ballasts & Power Supplies | $0.130/lb | $0.080 – $0.180 | → | 2 yards | |
| Scrap Engines & Transmissions | $0.160/lb | $0.160 – $0.160 | → | 1 yards |
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.
Electric Motor Price Trend (12 Months)
Historical 12-month scale price trajectory and wholesale exchange correlation (COMEX Copper (HG)) for Electric Motor, helping you identify price momentum before you haul to the yard.
How to get the best price for Electric Motor
Straightforward sorting, stripping, and prep tips to upgrade your Electric Motor into top-tier grades and prevent scale downgrades.
Snip external copper power cords right at the motor casing and sell the cords separately as insulated wire.
Remove exterior iron pulleys, pump impellers, and steel brackets if they can be unbolted quickly.
Scratch test windings to ensure you do not mix aluminum-wound motors into your copper motor load.
Drain compressor oil and keep alternators and starters in their own designated bins.
How electric motors and compressors are priced
Electric motors, sealed refrigeration compressors, and automotive alternators are bought by scrap yards for their dense copper windings. Because the copper is enclosed in steel, cast iron, or aluminum housings, yards buy them as whole units by gross weight. Prices reflect the percentage of copper inside, typically ranging from 8% in small appliance motors to over 20% in automotive alternators.
Copper Electric Motors vs. Aluminum Motors
Standard copper-wound electric motors come from dryers, washing machines, pumps, and shop tools. However, many modern appliances use copper-clad aluminum wire. Motors with aluminum windings pay less than half the price of true copper motors. Scratch the stator winding with a blade to check the color.
Automotive Alternators and Starters
Alternators and starter motors from vehicles have very high copper-to-weight ratios and aluminum outer housings. Because of this, yards quote them under their own specialized auto-electric categories at higher rates than general industrial motors.
Sealed Unit Compressors ("Pots")
Refrigeration and air conditioner compressors consist of an electric motor hermetically sealed inside a thick steel container. Yards buy them intact as sealed units. Do not try to torch or cut them open without certified refrigerant recovery, as pressurized gas and oil are hazardous.
Electric Motor Prices by State
Regional Electric Motor 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 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania | $0.247 | $0.080 | $0.500 | 2 | State Scale Rates → |
| Arizona | $0.650 | $0.650 | $0.650 | 1 | State Scale Rates → |
| Florida | $0.200 | $0.200 | $0.200 | 1 | State Scale Rates → |
| Georgia | $0.310 | $0.260 | $0.360 | 1 | State Scale Rates → |
| Illinois | $0.110 | $0.110 | $0.110 | 1 | State Scale Rates → |
| Kansas | $0.400 | $0.400 | $0.400 | 1 | State Scale Rates → |
| Kentucky | $0.393 | $0.240 | $0.600 | 1 | State Scale Rates → |
| Maryland | $0.750 | $0.750 | $0.750 | 1 | State Scale Rates → |
| Missouri | $0.100 | $0.100 | $0.100 | 1 | State Scale Rates → |
| New Jersey | $0.450 | $0.350 | $0.600 | 1 | State Scale Rates → |
| Texas | $0.300 | $0.300 | $0.300 | 1 | State Scale Rates → |
| Wisconsin | $0.108 | $0.100 | $0.190 | 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 electric motor scrap price?
The headline figure is $0.312/lb for Copper Electric Motors as of Oct 13, 2026. Other grades pay more or less, so check the table above.
How are electric motor scrap prices set?
Motor scrap prices track spot copper but trade at a steep discount to reflect the heavy iron or steel casing. Alternators pay highest due to their aluminum casing and rich copper core, while sealed refrigeration compressors pay lower due to their thick, heavy welded steel shell.
Should I break open electric motors to get the bare copper wire?
Unless you have commercial motor-stripping equipment or large industrial motors (over 20 HP), it is rarely worth the time and physical effort. Breaking tough steel and cast iron housings by hand takes significant labor for only a couple of pounds of #2 copper wire.
How can I tell if motor windings are copper or aluminum?
Scrape the clear or amber insulating varnish off the windings with a pocket knife or file. If the metal beneath is bright silver, it is aluminum. If it remains reddish-orange, it is copper.
Can I sell whole AC compressors with freon inside?
Federal EPA regulations require certified refrigerant evacuation before scrap yards can legally accept air conditioning compressors. Most yards require a stamp or certificate showing refrigerant was properly recovered.