Current #1 Prepared Steel (HMS) Scrap Prices in Pennsylvania
Current national average pricing for #1 Prepared Steel (HMS) is $0.10 per pound. Find the most competitive local scrap yards in Pennsylvania and compare today's heavy iron rates before hitting the scale.
Average #1 Prepared Steel (HMS) Price
- Low (up to $0.09): Floor price, typically for small loads.
- Mid ($0.11): A fair deal for standard quantities.
- High ($0.12+): Top-dollar rate. Offered for large commercial loads or by the most competitive buyers.
Pricing verified from 6 live board rates today.
Top Scrap Yards Buying #1 Prepared Steel in Pennsylvania
Check out the list below to find local buyers in Pennsylvania taking #1 Prepared Steel (HMS). Ferrous market rates fluctuate frequently with the CME, so always call these yards ahead of time to confirm their pricing and size requirements before you load up your flatbed.
American Steel Processing
Kantner Iron & Steel Inc
Sahd Metal Recycling
SOS Metals Inc.
Integral Scrap & Recycling
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🚀 List your scrap yard ⟶Compare #1 Prepared Steel (HMS) Prices vs. Other Ferrous Grades
The #1 rule at scrap yards: if you mix grades, they’ll weigh everything at the lowest rate. See the price gap below — if you have higher-value metal, always sort and weigh each grade separately to avoid leaving money on the table.
Historical Price Trends for #1 Prepared Steel (HMS)
This chart shows where the market is headed. If the line is climbing, prices are rising — you might get a better deal in a few days. If it’s dropping, don’t wait: sell today before yards lower their buy prices further.
#1 Prepared Steel (HMS): Scrap Yard Price vs. World Market (CME)
Avg scrap yard price
World market price (CME)
#1 Prepared Steel (HMS): Spread vs. Exchange — Monthly History
| Period | World price (per lb) | Scrap yard price (per lb) | Spread vs. exchange |
|---|---|---|---|
| March 2026 (current) | $0.174571 | $0.05 | -$0.12 (68.8%) |
| February 2026 | $0.169679 | $0.07 | -$0.10 (56.4%) |
| January 2026 | $0.169184 | $0.09 | -$0.07 (43.9%) |
| December 2025 | $0.165335 | $0.10 | -$0.07 (39.5%) |
| November 2025 | $0.162647 | $0.09 | -$0.07 (43.4%) |
| October 2025 | $0.158761 | $0.10 | -$0.06 (39.5%) |
| September 2025 | $0.15567 | $0.08 | -$0.08 (49.3%) |
| August 2025 | $0.158816 | $0.10 | -$0.06 (38.5%) |
| July 2025 | $0.159239 | $0.10 | -$0.06 (39.2%) |
| June 2025 | $0.155033 | $0.09 | -$0.07 (42.8%) |
| May 2025 | $0.157923 | $0.09 | -$0.06 (40.8%) |
| April 2025 | $0.161157 | $0.10 | -$0.07 (40.4%) |
| March 2025 | $0.169235 | $0.10 | -$0.07 (41.9%) |
| February 2025 | $0.166 | $0.10 | -$0.07 (39.8%) |
| January 2025 | $0.158671 | $0.08 | -$0.07 (46.9%) |
| December 2024 | $0.159039 | $0.10 | -$0.06 (40%) |
| November 2024 | $0.165953 | $0.10 | -$0.07 (39.9%) |
| October 2024 | $0.173261 | $0.10 | -$0.07 (40.4%) |
| September 2024 | $0.16823 | $0.10 | -$0.07 (38.8%) |
| August 2024 | $0.166132 | $0.09 | -$0.07 (42.9%) |
| July 2024 | $0.174761 | $0.10 | -$0.08 (43.3%) |
| June 2024 | $0.173733 | $0.10 | -$0.07 (41.7%) |
| May 2024 | $0.174594 | $0.10 | -$0.07 (40.9%) |
| April 2024 | $0.174133 | $0.11 | -$0.07 (39.7%) |
| March 2024 | $0.174719 | $0.10 | -$0.07 (40.4%) |
| February 2024 | $0.183579 | $0.10 | -$0.08 (46.1%) |
| January 2024 | $0.185484 | $0.11 | -$0.08 (40.7%) |
| December 2023 | $0.189755 | $0.11 | -$0.08 (41%) |
| November 2023 | $0.18284 | $0.11 | -$0.08 (42.2%) |
| October 2023 | $0.168132 | $0.10 | -$0.07 (40.3%) |
| September 2023 | $0.171903 | $0.10 | -$0.07 (39.1%) |
| August 2023 | $0.169355 | $0.10 | -$0.07 (41%) |
| July 2023 | $0.167445 | $0.10 | -$0.07 (40.3%) |
| June 2023 | $0.171827 | $0.10 | -$0.07 (41%) |
| May 2023 | $0.168968 | $0.10 | -$0.07 (40.1%) |
| April 2023 | $0.187047 | $0.11 | -$0.07 (39.8%) |
| March 2023 | $0.203358 | $0.12 | -$0.08 (41.6%) |
| February 2023 | $0.200689 | $0.12 | -$0.09 (42.7%) |
| January 2023 | $0.188281 | $0.11 | -$0.08 (43.1%) |
| December 2022 | $0.175474 | $0.10 | -$0.08 (44.5%) |
| November 2022 | $0.15927 | $0.09 | -$0.06 (40.8%) |
| October 2022 | $0.161587 | $0.10 | -$0.06 (38.7%) |
| September 2022 | $0.162657 | $0.09 | -$0.07 (45.1%) |
| August 2022 | $0.17361 | $0.10 | -$0.07 (40.7%) |
| July 2022 | $0.169839 | $0.10 | -$0.07 (40%) |
| June 2022 | $0.173823 | $0.10 | -$0.07 (39.8%) |
| May 2022 | $0.217184 | $0.13 | -$0.09 (40%) |
| April 2022 | $0.271843 | $0.16 | -$0.11 (39.9%) |
| March 2022 | $0.293526 | $0.17 | -$0.12 (40.4%) |
| February 2022 | $0.229654 | $0.14 | -$0.09 (39.7%) |
| January 2022 | $0.212861 | $0.12 | -$0.09 (42.7%) |
| December 2021 | $0.203377 | $0.12 | -$0.08 (40.4%) |
| November 2021 | $0.211507 | $0.13 | -$0.08 (39.6%) |
| October 2021 | $0.220087 | $0.13 | -$0.09 (39.9%) |
| September 2021 | $0.20218 | $0.12 | -$0.08 (40.6%) |
| August 2021 | $0.212068 | $0.13 | -$0.08 (40.1%) |
| July 2021 | $0.226971 | $0.13 | -$0.10 (42.4%) |
| June 2021 | $0.23039 | $0.13 | -$0.10 (45.3%) |
| May 2021 | $0.234461 | $0.14 | -$0.09 (39.9%) |
| April 2021 | $0.213893 | $0.12 | -$0.09 (41.7%) |
| March 2021 | $0.210168 | $0.13 | -$0.08 (40.3%) |
| February 2021 | $0.201529 | $0.12 | -$0.08 (41.5%) |
| January 2021 | $0.18881 | $0.11 | -$0.08 (44.3%) |
| December 2020 | $0.197974 | $0.11 | -$0.08 (42.2%) |
| November 2020 | $0.15506 | $0.08 | -$0.08 (49.1%) |
| October 2020 | $0.132848 | $0.07 | -$0.06 (43.7%) |
| September 2020 | $0.135103 | $0.07 | -$0.06 (46.7%) |
| August 2020 | $0.129755 | $0.08 | -$0.05 (38.3%) |
| July 2020 | $0.121603 | $0.07 | -$0.05 (40.3%) |
| June 2020 | $0.1198 | $0.07 | -$0.05 (41.6%) |
| May 2020 | $0.120335 | $0.07 | -$0.05 (41.8%) |
| April 2020 | $0.119887 | $0.07 | -$0.05 (41.6%) |
| March 2020 | $0.120871 | $0.07 | -$0.05 (39.2%) |
| February 2020 | $0.124241 | $0.08 | -$0.05 (38.7%) |
| January 2020 | $0.126948 | $0.08 | -$0.05 (37.7%) |
| December 2019 | $0.129165 | $0.07 | -$0.06 (45.1%) |
| November 2019 | $0.11909 | $0.06 | -$0.06 (52.1%) |
| October 2019 | $0.112771 | $0.07 | -$0.04 (39.6%) |
| September 2019 | $0.1129 | $0.07 | -$0.04 (38.9%) |
| August 2019 | $0.128565 | $0.07 | -$0.05 (42%) |
| July 2019 | $0.137623 | $0.08 | -$0.06 (41.9%) |
| June 2019 | $0.135167 | $0.07 | -$0.06 (46.7%) |
| May 2019 | $0.137774 | $0.08 | -$0.06 (41%) |
| April 2019 | $0.14081 | $0.08 | -$0.06 (41.1%) |
| March 2019 | $0.147635 | $0.09 | -$0.06 (39%) |
| February 2019 | $0.148504 | $0.08 | -$0.06 (43.2%) |
| January 2019 | $0.132948 | $0.08 | -$0.05 (39.3%) |
| December 2018 | $0.136335 | $0.08 | -$0.06 (41.3%) |
| November 2018 | $0.14599 | $0.09 | -$0.06 (40.6%) |
| October 2018 | $0.143232 | $0.08 | -$0.06 (44.8%) |
| September 2018 | $0.138937 | $0.08 | -$0.06 (41.9%) |
| August 2018 | $0.139935 | $0.08 | -$0.06 (40.8%) |
| July 2018 | $0.148932 | $0.09 | -$0.06 (39.6%) |
| June 2018 | $0.15733 | $0.09 | -$0.07 (41.9%) |
| May 2018 | $0.157313 | $0.10 | -$0.06 (39.5%) |
| April 2018 | $0.157323 | $0.09 | -$0.06 (40.9%) |
| March 2018 | $0.168035 | $0.10 | -$0.07 (40.1%) |
| February 2018 | $0.16745 | $0.09 | -$0.08 (46.9%) |
| January 2018 | $0.163439 | $0.10 | -$0.06 (39.2%) |
| December 2017 | $0.161835 | $0.10 | -$0.06 (39.4%) |
| November 2017 | $0.148853 | $0.09 | -$0.06 (39.5%) |
| October 2017 | $0.13681 | $0.08 | -$0.05 (39.9%) |
| September 2017 | $0.14338 | $0.09 | -$0.06 (39.8%) |
| August 2017 | $0.143687 | $0.09 | -$0.06 (39.2%) |
| July 2017 | $0.13389 | $0.08 | -$0.05 (40%) |
| June 2017 | $0.126117 | $0.07 | -$0.06 (44.8%) |
| May 2017 | $0.126668 | $0.08 | -$0.05 (39.4%) |
| April 2017 | $0.12463 | $0.07 | -$0.05 (40.4%) |
| March 2017 | $0.131929 | $0.08 | -$0.05 (39.9%) |
| February 2017 | $0.123561 | $0.08 | -$0.05 (39%) |
| January 2017 | $0.12651 | $0.08 | -$0.05 (39.8%) |
| December 2016 | $0.132723 | $0.07 | -$0.06 (43.6%) |
| November 2016 | $0.129783 | $0.06 | -$0.07 (50.2%) |
| October 2016 | $0.104213 | $0.06 | -$0.05 (44.9%) |
| September 2016 | $0.097987 | $0.06 | -$0.04 (38.8%) |
| August 2016 | $0.099148 | $0.06 | -$0.04 (39.5%) |
| July 2016 | $0.100113 | $0.06 | -$0.04 (40.1%) |
| June 2016 | $0.102657 | $0.06 | -$0.04 (41.6%) |
| May 2016 | $0.118674 | $0.07 | -$0.05 (42.6%) |
| April 2016 | $0.11646 | $0.06 | -$0.06 (50.2%) |
| March 2016 | $0.091855 | $0.05 | -$0.04 (45.6%) |
| February 2016 | $0.078928 | $0.05 | -$0.03 (36.7%) |
| January 2016 | $0.08539 | $0.05 | -$0.04 (41.4%) |
| December 2015 | $0.084058 | $0.05 | -$0.03 (40.5%) |
| November 2015 | $0.0835 | $0.05 | -$0.03 (40.1%) |
| October 2015 | $0.0835 | $0.05 | -$0.03 (40.1%) |
| September 2015 | $0.0835 | $0.05 | -$0.03 (40.1%) |
| August 2015 | $0.0835 | $0.05 | -$0.03 (40.1%) |
| July 2015 | $0.0835 | $0.05 | -$0.03 (40.1%) |
| June 2015 | $0.0835 | $0.05 | -$0.03 (40.1%) |
| May 2015 | $0.0835 | $0.05 | -$0.03 (40.1%) |
| April 2015 | $0.0835 | $0.05 | -$0.03 (40.1%) |
| March 2015 | $0.0835 | $0.05 | -$0.03 (37%) |
| February 2015 | $0.0835 | $0.05 | -$0.03 (40.1%) |
| January 2015 | $0.0835 | $0.05 | -$0.03 (40.1%) |
| December 2014 | $0.0835 | $0.05 | -$0.03 (40.1%) |
| November 2014 | $0.0835 | $0.05 | -$0.03 (40.1%) |
| October 2014 | $0.0835 | $0.05 | -$0.03 (40.1%) |
| September 2014 | $0.0835 | $0.05 | -$0.03 (40.1%) |
| August 2014 | $0.0835 | $0.06 | -$0.02 (28.1%) |
#1 Prepared Steel (HMS) Scrap Price History — Daily Data
A day-by-day market snapshot in exact numbers. Every day we aggregate buy prices from local scrap yards, recording the average, low, and high. Use this table to track real price movement over recent days.
| Date | Avg price (per lb) | Change | Range (Low/High) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3/20/2026 | $0.07 / lb | +$0.03 | $0.07 - $0.07 |
| 3/17/2026 | $0.04 / lb | -$0.03 | $0.04 - $0.04 |
| 3/14/2026 | $0.07 / lb | +$0.03 | $0.07 - $0.07 |
| 3/10/2026 | $0.04 / lb | -$0.03 | $0.04 - $0.04 |
| 3/6/2026 | $0.07 / lb | +$0.03 | $0.07 - $0.07 |
| 3/5/2026 | $0.04 / lb | -$0.03 | $0.04 - $0.04 |
| 2/28/2026 | $0.07 / lb | +$0.03 | $0.07 - $0.07 |
| 2/27/2026 | $0.04 / lb | -$0.03 | $0.04 - $0.04 |
| 2/20/2026 | $0.07 / lb | -$0.04 | $0.07 - $0.07 |
| 2/17/2026 | $0.11 / lb | +$0.08 | $0.09 - $0.12 |
| 2/15/2026 | $0.03 / lb | -$0.03 | $0.03 - $0.03 |
| 2/13/2026 | $0.06 / lb | +$0.03 | $0.06 - $0.06 |
| 2/10/2026 | $0.03 / lb | -$0.03 | $0.03 - $0.03 |
| 2/9/2026 | $0.06 / lb | -$0.06 | $0.06 - $0.06 |
| 2/8/2026 | $0.12 / lb | +$0.04 | $0.12 - $0.12 |
| 1/12/2026 | $0.08 / lb | +$0.01 | $0.08 - $0.08 |
| 11/8/2025 | $0.07 / lb | +$0.01 | $0.07 - $0.07 |
| 10/1/2025 | $0.06 / lb | -$0.04 | $0.06 - $0.06 |
| 9/16/2025 | $0.10 / lb | +$0.03 | $0.10 - $0.10 |
| 9/12/2025 | $0.07 / lb | -$0.04 | $0.07 - $0.07 |
| 6/17/2025 | $0.11 / lb | +$0.04 | $0.11 - $0.11 |
| 6/11/2025 | $0.07 / lb | -$0.02 | $0.07 - $0.07 |
| 5/20/2025 | $0.09 / lb | — no change | $0.09 - $0.09 |
| 3/24/2025 | $0.09 / lb | -$0.03 | $0.09 - $0.09 |
| 3/23/2025 | $0.12 / lb | +$0.04 | $0.12 - $0.12 |
| 3/17/2025 | $0.08 / lb | -$0.02 | $0.08 - $0.08 |
| 2/13/2025 | $0.10 / lb | +$0.02 | $0.10 - $0.10 |
| 1/25/2025 | $0.08 / lb | +$0.01 | $0.08 - $0.08 |
| 1/13/2025 | $0.07 / lb | -$0.04 | $0.07 - $0.07 |
| 9/20/2024 | $0.11 / lb | +$0.03 | $0.11 - $0.11 |
| 8/12/2024 | $0.08 / lb | — no change | $0.08 - $0.08 |
| 7/13/2024 | $0.08 / lb | +$0.01 | $0.08 - $0.08 |
| 2/27/2024 | $0.07 / lb | -$0.05 | $0.07 - $0.07 |
| 12/5/2023 | $0.12 / lb | +$0.03 | $0.12 - $0.12 |
| 12/2/2023 | $0.09 / lb | +$0.02 | $0.09 - $0.09 |
| 10/2/2023 | $0.07 / lb | -$0.05 | $0.07 - $0.07 |
| 10/1/2023 | $0.12 / lb | +$0.03 | $0.12 - $0.12 |
| 3/27/2023 | $0.09 / lb | -$0.04 | $0.09 - $0.09 |
| 3/21/2023 | $0.13 / lb | +$0.03 | $0.13 - $0.13 |
| 2/7/2023 | $0.10 / lb | +$0.02 | $0.10 - $0.10 |
| 2/4/2023 | $0.08 / lb | +$0.01 | $0.08 - $0.08 |
| 12/8/2022 | $0.07 / lb | -$0.03 | $0.07 - $0.07 |
| 12/1/2022 | $0.10 / lb | +$0.04 | $0.10 - $0.10 |
| 9/27/2022 | $0.06 / lb | -$0.04 | $0.06 - $0.06 |
| 8/9/2022 | $0.10 / lb | — no change | $0.08 - $0.12 |
| 1/22/2022 | $0.10 / lb | -$0.01 | $0.10 - $0.10 |
| 7/31/2021 | $0.11 / lb | +$0.02 | $0.11 - $0.11 |
| 6/20/2021 | $0.09 / lb | -$0.02 | $0.09 - $0.09 |
| 4/19/2021 | $0.11 / lb | -$0.01 | $0.10 - $0.11 |
| 3/1/2021 | $0.12 / lb | +$0.04 | $0.12 - $0.12 |
| 1/28/2021 | $0.08 / lb | — no change | $0.08 - $0.08 |
| 12/5/2020 | $0.08 / lb | — no change | $0.08 - $0.08 |
| 12/2/2020 | $0.08 / lb | +$0.02 | $0.08 - $0.08 |
| 11/25/2020 | $0.06 / lb | — no change | $0.06 - $0.06 |
| 10/19/2020 | $0.06 / lb | +$0.01 | $0.06 - $0.06 |
| 9/27/2020 | $0.05 / lb | — no change | $0.05 - $0.05 |
| 12/14/2019 | $0.05 / lb | +$0.01 | $0.05 - $0.05 |
| 11/20/2019 | $0.04 / lb | — no change | $0.04 - $0.04 |
| 11/15/2019 | $0.04 / lb | -$0.04 | $0.04 - $0.04 |
| 9/4/2019 | $0.08 / lb | +$0.02 | $0.08 - $0.08 |
| 8/21/2019 | $0.06 / lb | +$0.01 | $0.06 - $0.06 |
| 6/18/2019 | $0.05 / lb | -$0.02 | $0.05 - $0.05 |
| 2/19/2019 | $0.07 / lb | — no change | $0.07 - $0.07 |
| 11/1/2018 | $0.07 / lb | +$0.01 | $0.07 - $0.07 |
| 2/13/2018 | $0.06 / lb | +$0.01 | $0.06 - $0.06 |
| 6/30/2017 | $0.05 / lb | -$0.01 | $0.05 - $0.05 |
| 12/25/2016 | $0.06 / lb | +$0.03 | $0.06 - $0.06 |
| 11/26/2016 | $0.03 / lb | -$0.01 | $0.03 - $0.03 |
| 10/15/2016 | $0.04 / lb | -$0.01 | $0.04 - $0.04 |
| 5/23/2016 | $0.05 / lb | +$0.01 | $0.05 - $0.05 |
| 4/20/2016 | $0.04 / lb | +$0.01 | $0.04 - $0.04 |
| 4/3/2016 | $0.03 / lb | -$0.02 | $0.03 - $0.03 |
| 9/1/2015 | $0.05 / lb | -$0.01 | $0.05 - $0.05 |
| 3/27/2015 | $0.06 / lb | +$0.01 | $0.06 - $0.06 |
| 2/9/2015 | $0.05 / lb | -$0.05 | $0.05 - $0.05 |
The Heavy Hitter: Cashing In on #1 Prepared Steel (HMS)
If you are hauling structural beams, heavy pipe, or thick machinery plates, #1 Prepared Steel (Heavy Melting Steel, or HMS) is your money maker in the ferrous category. Our data shows current national prices swinging between $0.07 on the low end and $0.15 for clean, properly cut loads, with an average payout of $0.10 per pound. Ferrous scrap pricing relies heavily on the CME, typically hovering around 41.5% below spot prices. Buyers in Pennsylvania need this material ready to melt, meaning the cleaner and better prepped your load is, the closer you get to top-tier pricing.
Don't Get Docked at the Scale: Sizing & Sorting
The difference between getting paid for #1 Prepared and taking a massive hit on your ticket comes down to your torch and your tape measure. Mixed loads are a peddler's worst enemy. If you try to bulk up your heavy iron by throwing in thin sheet metal or Wire Fence, the scale master will downgrade your entire flatbed. That lazy mistake can cost you around $0.06 per pound instantly across the whole load. Keep your shred and light iron far away from your premium HMS.
Yard Pro Tip: The golden rule for #1 Prepared Steel is the '1/4-inch rule.' If the steel isn't consistently thicker than a standard pencil (about 1/4 inch), it belongs in your #2 pile. Yard inspectors will spot thinner gauge material hidden in a load of heavy beams and will immediately downgrade the entire drop. Save your cutting time and torch gas strictly for the thick plates and structural steel.
Compare the Iron Grades
Not all heavy steel is graded the same. Knowing the difference between your heavy melts and your cast materials will help you separate your bins and maximize your payout.
| Grade | What It Is | National Range |
|---|---|---|
| #1 Prepared Steel (HMS) | 1/4-inch thick or more, cut to size (usually under 5x2 feet). | $0.07 - $0.15/lb |
| #2 Prepared Steel | Thinner gauge steel (under 1/4 inch) but still free of non-metallics. | $0.10 to $0.13/lb |
| Automotive Cast Iron (Rotors/Drums) | Clean cast iron brake rotors and drums, stripped of pads/bearings. | $0.11 to $0.16/lb |
| Cast Iron (Heavy) | Engine blocks, old radiators, thick cast pipes. | $0.09 to $0.20/lb |
Frequently Asked Questions
What exactly does '#1 Prepared' mean?
It means the heavy melting steel (HMS) is cut to the specific dimensions required by the yard's furnace or foundry buyer—usually under 5 feet long and 2 feet wide. It also must be at least 1/4 inch thick and free of excessive rust, dirt, or galvanized coatings.
Why do prices for HMS vary so much between yards?
Local demand and freight costs are huge factors. A yard in Pennsylvania might pay closer to the $0.10 national average or slightly more depending on how close they are to a domestic steel mill or export port. Broader pricing follows the CME market trends, generally sitting 41.5% below the spot price.
Is it worth cutting unprepared steel myself?
Usually, yes. If you have the right tools—like a plasma cutter, oxy-acetylene torch, or heavy shear—the price bump from 'Unprepared' to '#1 Prepared' easily covers your labor and gas, provided the starting material meets that critical 1/4-inch thickness requirement.
#1 Prepared Steel (HMS) scrap prices in Pennsylvania on the map
The map shows cities in Pennsylvania with #1 Prepared Steel (HMS) scrap prices. Click a marker or pick a city in the list below to see #1 Prepared Steel (HMS) prices in that location.