Today’s #1 Copper Scrap Prices in Pennsylvania
Check the latest #1 Copper scrap prices in Pennsylvania and see what local buyers are paying today. National averages are currently sitting at $4.57 per pound, but local yard payouts can vary based on volume and how clean your material is.
Average #1 Copper Price
$4.27/ lb
-$0.45 (10.8%)
GT = Gross Ton (2240 lbs)Avg: $4.27
Lowest price ⓘ$4.00
Highest price$4.60Who pays the most? ⟶
How to read a yard's offer
- Low (up to $4.00): Floor price, typically for small loads.
- Mid ($4.27): A fair deal for standard quantities.
- High ($4.60+): Top-dollar rate. Offered for large commercial loads or by the most competitive buyers.
52-week price range
Over the past year, prices ranged from $2.90 to $4.29.
Mar '25Jun '25Sep '25Dec '25Today
Market response to COMEX pricing
Spread vs. exchange (60-day avg): ~19.4% (-$1.03/lb).
Typical spread for this grade: 16%–35%
✓ Scrap yards are offering fair market rates
Market snapshot
Upward trend. Prices have been rising over the past 3 months.
Pricing verified from 12 live board rates today.
Pricing verified from 12 live board rates today.
Top-Paying Scrap Yards for #1 Copper in Pennsylvania
Don't let your clean #1 Copper go for a mixed-grade price. Check the list below to find local buyers in Pennsylvania, compare their current rates against the national average of $4.57, and always call the scale house before hauling your load to confirm their specific grading rules.
Updated 2 days ago
Sahd Metal Recycling
Listed as: #1 copper
$4.00 / lb
Updated 11 days ago
SOS Metals Inc.
Listed as: COPPER #1
$4.30 / lb
Updated 11 days ago
Weiner Iron & Metal Corp
Listed as: #1 COPPER
$4.00 / lb
Updated 32 days ago
JFR Salvage Inc
Listed as: #1 Copper
$4.60 / lb
Updated 32 days ago
Einfalt Recycling & Salvage
Listed as: #1 Copper
$4.60 / lb
Updated 32 days ago
Paz Metals Inc.
Listed as: #1 Copper
$4.60 / lb
Your competitors are already here. Is your yard missing from the list?
Hundreds of people search here every day for the best scrap metal prices. Start capturing ready-to-sell leads today.
🚀 List your scrap yard ⟶How #1 Copper Stacks Up Against Other 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.
#1 Copper Price Trends & Market History
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 Copper: Scrap Yard Price vs. World Market (COMEX)
Avg scrap yard price
$4.27
Scrap metal dealers
Spread: -$1.03/lb
vs. exchange
World market price (COMEX)
$5.3003
✓ For 99.9% pure refined metal
💡 Why is the scrap yard price lower than the exchange? The COMEX price is the global benchmark for 99.99% pure refined metal traded in large institutional contracts. The gap between COMEX and what you pocket is the yard’s margin — it covers sorting, cleaning, transport to the mill, and protects them against sudden price drops.
#1 Copper: Spread vs. Exchange — Monthly History
Analyst take: This month’s average spread between scrap yard prices and the world market for #1 Copper is 19.4%. That’s in line with the typical range for this grade (16%–22%). Local yards are offering fair market rates. Check offers in your area ↑
| Period | World price (per lb) | Scrap yard price (per lb) | Spread vs. exchange |
|---|---|---|---|
| March 2026 (current) | $5.764324 | $4.16 | -$1.60 (27.8%) |
| February 2026 | $5.880136 | $4.39 | -$1.49 (25.3%) |
| January 2026 | $5.894887 | $4.40 | -$1.50 (25.4%) |
| December 2025 | $5.497742 | $4.00 | -$1.50 (27.2%) |
| November 2025 | $5.064033 | $3.77 | -$1.30 (25.6%) |
| October 2025 | $5.050242 | $3.67 | -$1.38 (27.3%) |
| September 2025 | $4.662367 | $3.54 | -$1.12 (24.1%) |
| August 2025 | $4.477984 | $3.30 | -$1.17 (26.2%) |
| July 2025 | $5.482645 | $3.57 | -$1.91 (34.9%) |
| June 2025 | $4.883233 | $3.38 | -$1.50 (30.7%) |
| May 2025 | $4.686194 | $3.38 | -$1.31 (28%) |
| April 2025 | $4.654267 | $3.38 | -$1.28 (27.4%) |
| March 2025 | $4.919484 | $3.80 | -$1.12 (22.7%) |
| February 2025 | $4.558107 | $3.58 | -$0.98 (21.4%) |
| January 2025 | $4.269774 | $3.39 | -$0.88 (20.7%) |
| December 2024 | $4.157855 | $3.31 | -$0.85 (20.5%) |
| November 2024 | $4.199383 | $3.33 | -$0.87 (20.7%) |
| October 2024 | $4.431839 | $3.51 | -$0.92 (20.8%) |
| September 2024 | $4.292683 | $3.43 | -$0.86 (20.1%) |
| August 2024 | $4.121839 | $3.38 | -$0.74 (18%) |
| July 2024 | $4.375242 | $3.62 | -$0.75 (17.2%) |
| June 2024 | $4.491083 | $3.62 | -$0.87 (19.5%) |
| May 2024 | $4.75471 | $3.52 | -$1.24 (26%) |
| April 2024 | $4.363717 | $3.51 | -$0.85 (19.5%) |
| March 2024 | $3.983645 | $3.21 | -$0.78 (19.5%) |
| February 2024 | $3.801776 | $3.11 | -$0.69 (18.3%) |
| January 2024 | $3.811306 | $3.07 | -$0.74 (19.4%) |
| December 2023 | $3.871226 | $3.10 | -$0.77 (19.9%) |
| November 2023 | $3.720817 | $3.01 | -$0.71 (19%) |
| October 2023 | $3.609306 | $2.92 | -$0.69 (19.1%) |
| September 2023 | $3.759833 | $3.13 | -$0.63 (16.9%) |
| August 2023 | $3.776097 | $3.04 | -$0.73 (19.4%) |
| July 2023 | $3.8455 | $3.10 | -$0.75 (19.4%) |
| June 2023 | $3.804983 | $3.03 | -$0.77 (20.3%) |
| May 2023 | $3.751484 | $3.00 | -$0.75 (20%) |
| April 2023 | $4.007367 | $3.23 | -$0.78 (19.4%) |
| March 2023 | $4.02821 | $3.29 | -$0.74 (18.3%) |
| February 2023 | $4.06475 | $3.29 | -$0.77 (19%) |
| January 2023 | $4.115113 | $3.33 | -$0.79 (19.1%) |
| December 2022 | $3.820726 | $3.06 | -$0.77 (20%) |
| November 2022 | $3.674017 | $2.95 | -$0.72 (19.7%) |
| October 2022 | $3.430419 | $2.74 | -$0.69 (20.1%) |
| September 2022 | $3.455283 | $2.70 | -$0.75 (21.7%) |
| August 2022 | $3.616468 | $2.72 | -$0.90 (24.9%) |
| July 2022 | $3.4195 | $2.76 | -$0.66 (19.4%) |
| June 2022 | $4.118667 | $3.24 | -$0.87 (21.2%) |
| May 2022 | $4.257274 | $3.48 | -$0.78 (18.3%) |
| April 2022 | $4.649533 | $3.75 | -$0.90 (19.4%) |
| March 2022 | $4.707694 | $3.79 | -$0.91 (19.4%) |
| February 2022 | $4.502304 | $3.63 | -$0.88 (19.5%) |
| January 2022 | $4.4345 | $3.57 | -$0.86 (19.4%) |
| December 2021 | $4.332226 | $3.52 | -$0.81 (18.8%) |
| November 2021 | $4.367567 | $3.54 | -$0.83 (18.9%) |
| October 2021 | $4.432371 | $3.44 | -$0.99 (22.4%) |
| September 2021 | $4.2864 | $3.43 | -$0.85 (19.9%) |
| August 2021 | $4.302984 | $3.46 | -$0.84 (19.5%) |
| July 2021 | $4.347452 | $3.50 | -$0.85 (19.6%) |
| June 2021 | $4.388783 | $3.54 | -$0.85 (19.3%) |
| May 2021 | $4.618871 | $3.67 | -$0.95 (20.6%) |
| April 2021 | $4.192633 | $3.37 | -$0.82 (19.6%) |
| March 2021 | $4.084726 | $3.27 | -$0.82 (20%) |
| February 2021 | $3.861 | $3.08 | -$0.78 (20.1%) |
| January 2021 | $3.607435 | $2.84 | -$0.77 (21.4%) |
| December 2020 | $3.546903 | $2.81 | -$0.74 (20.9%) |
| November 2020 | $3.21755 | $2.53 | -$0.69 (21.5%) |
| October 2020 | $3.060177 | $2.39 | -$0.67 (22%) |
| September 2020 | $3.0352 | $2.46 | -$0.58 (19%) |
| August 2020 | $2.909726 | $2.35 | -$0.56 (19.2%) |
| July 2020 | $2.867581 | $2.31 | -$0.56 (19.4%) |
| June 2020 | $2.5983 | $2.09 | -$0.51 (19.4%) |
| May 2020 | $2.377403 | $1.91 | -$0.46 (19.5%) |
| April 2020 | $2.28595 | $1.84 | -$0.44 (19.4%) |
| March 2020 | $2.356968 | $1.90 | -$0.46 (19.4%) |
| February 2020 | $2.574707 | $2.07 | -$0.50 (19.5%) |
| January 2020 | $2.759935 | $2.22 | -$0.54 (19.4%) |
| December 2019 | $2.774145 | $2.20 | -$0.57 (20.6%) |
| November 2019 | $2.660717 | $2.08 | -$0.58 (21.7%) |
| October 2019 | $2.621613 | $2.11 | -$0.51 (19.4%) |
| September 2019 | $2.615533 | $2.10 | -$0.52 (19.7%) |
| August 2019 | $2.576597 | $2.04 | -$0.54 (20.9%) |
| July 2019 | $2.693468 | $2.18 | -$0.52 (19.2%) |
| June 2019 | $2.671833 | $2.15 | -$0.52 (19.4%) |
| May 2019 | $2.7395 | $2.21 | -$0.53 (19.4%) |
| April 2019 | $2.914283 | $2.35 | -$0.57 (19.5%) |
| March 2019 | $2.902032 | $2.34 | -$0.56 (19.5%) |
| February 2019 | $2.845929 | $2.22 | -$0.63 (22%) |
| January 2019 | $2.675468 | $2.16 | -$0.52 (19.3%) |
| December 2018 | $2.724823 | $2.19 | -$0.53 (19.5%) |
| November 2018 | $2.7578 | $2.14 | -$0.62 (22.4%) |
| October 2018 | $2.768435 | $2.24 | -$0.52 (18.9%) |
| September 2018 | $2.712817 | $2.17 | -$0.55 (20.2%) |
| August 2018 | $2.706081 | $2.11 | -$0.59 (21.8%) |
| July 2018 | $2.807597 | $2.26 | -$0.55 (19.6%) |
| June 2018 | $3.1238 | $2.48 | -$0.65 (20.7%) |
| May 2018 | $3.080177 | $2.48 | -$0.60 (19.4%) |
| April 2018 | $3.08635 | $2.51 | -$0.57 (18.5%) |
| March 2018 | $3.080758 | $2.52 | -$0.56 (18.2%) |
| February 2018 | $3.17875 | $2.59 | -$0.59 (18.4%) |
| January 2018 | $3.215161 | $2.60 | -$0.61 (19.1%) |
| December 2017 | $3.134855 | $2.55 | -$0.59 (18.7%) |
| November 2017 | $3.105817 | $2.52 | -$0.58 (18.8%) |
| October 2017 | $3.103887 | $2.50 | -$0.60 (19.4%) |
| September 2017 | $3.00865 | $2.42 | -$0.59 (19.5%) |
| August 2017 | $2.957097 | $2.39 | -$0.57 (19.3%) |
| July 2017 | $2.732484 | $2.20 | -$0.53 (19.3%) |
| June 2017 | $2.605467 | $2.09 | -$0.52 (19.8%) |
| May 2017 | $2.556677 | $2.06 | -$0.50 (19.4%) |
| April 2017 | $2.595367 | $2.09 | -$0.50 (19.4%) |
| March 2017 | $2.653452 | $2.14 | -$0.51 (19.4%) |
| February 2017 | $2.69925 | $2.17 | -$0.52 (19.4%) |
| January 2017 | $2.622903 | $2.11 | -$0.51 (19.4%) |
| December 2016 | $2.567774 | $2.07 | -$0.50 (19.5%) |
| November 2016 | $2.478267 | $1.97 | -$0.51 (20.4%) |
| October 2016 | $2.148903 | $1.74 | -$0.41 (19.2%) |
| September 2016 | $2.139533 | $1.72 | -$0.42 (19.5%) |
| August 2016 | $2.14129 | $1.72 | -$0.42 (19.7%) |
| July 2016 | $2.210419 | $1.78 | -$0.43 (19.3%) |
| June 2016 | $2.093733 | $1.70 | -$0.39 (18.8%) |
| May 2016 | $2.111387 | $1.70 | -$0.41 (19.5%) |
| April 2016 | $2.183033 | $1.78 | -$0.40 (18.4%) |
| March 2016 | $2.24029 | $1.81 | -$0.43 (19.1%) |
| February 2016 | $2.076759 | $1.67 | -$0.40 (19.5%) |
| January 2016 | $2.022419 | $1.63 | -$0.39 (19.5%) |
| December 2015 | $2.094355 | $1.69 | -$0.41 (19.4%) |
| November 2015 | $2.150933 | $1.75 | -$0.40 (18.5%) |
| October 2015 | $2.368065 | $1.93 | -$0.44 (18.6%) |
| September 2015 | $2.360633 | $1.90 | -$0.46 (19.3%) |
| August 2015 | $2.326516 | $1.91 | -$0.42 (17.9%) |
| July 2015 | $2.490129 | $2.01 | -$0.48 (19.4%) |
| June 2015 | $2.6549 | $2.14 | -$0.52 (19.4%) |
| May 2015 | $2.866032 | $2.31 | -$0.56 (19.4%) |
| April 2015 | $2.745367 | $2.21 | -$0.53 (19.4%) |
| March 2015 | $2.697548 | $2.18 | -$0.52 (19.4%) |
| February 2015 | $2.600036 | $2.10 | -$0.50 (19.1%) |
| January 2015 | $2.636548 | $2.12 | -$0.51 (19.4%) |
| December 2014 | $2.877161 | $2.32 | -$0.56 (19.4%) |
| November 2014 | $3.002833 | $2.42 | -$0.58 (19.4%) |
| October 2014 | $3.029226 | $2.44 | -$0.59 (19.4%) |
| September 2014 | $3.098933 | $2.50 | -$0.60 (19.4%) |
| August 2014 | $3.169968 | $2.60 | -$0.57 (18%) |
| July 2014 | $3.240355 | $2.61 | -$0.63 (19.4%) |
| June 2014 | $3.098533 | $2.50 | -$0.60 (19.4%) |
| May 2014 | $3.11971 | $2.51 | -$0.61 (19.5%) |
| April 2014 | $3.051767 | $2.46 | -$0.59 (19.4%) |
| March 2014 | $3.026645 | $2.44 | -$0.59 (19.5%) |
| February 2014 | $3.238036 | $2.61 | -$0.63 (19.4%) |
| January 2014 | $3.318516 | $2.67 | -$0.65 (19.4%) |
| December 2013 | $3.299065 | $2.66 | -$0.64 (19.5%) |
| November 2013 | $3.218167 | $2.59 | -$0.63 (19.5%) |
| October 2013 | $3.285742 | $2.65 | -$0.64 (19.4%) |
| September 2013 | $3.274767 | $2.64 | -$0.64 (19.4%) |
| August 2013 | $3.262 | $2.67 | -$0.59 (18.1%) |
#1 Copper 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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3/19/2026 | $4.00 / lb | -$0.20 | $4.00 - $4.00 |
| 3/16/2026 | $4.20 / lb | +$0.05 | $4.20 - $4.20 |
| 3/10/2026 | $4.15 / lb | -$0.05 | $4.00 - $4.30 |
| 3/4/2026 | $4.20 / lb | +$0.02 | $4.20 - $4.20 |
| 2/17/2026 | $4.18 / lb | -$0.02 | $3.75 - $4.60 |
| 2/5/2026 | $4.20 / lb | +$0.10 | $4.20 - $4.20 |
| 2/2/2026 | $4.10 / lb | -$0.10 | $4.10 - $4.10 |
| 1/12/2026 | $4.20 / lb | — no change | $4.00 - $4.40 |
| 1/9/2026 | $4.20 / lb | +$0.10 | $4.20 - $4.20 |
| 1/5/2026 | $4.10 / lb | +$0.30 | $4.10 - $4.10 |
| 12/21/2025 | $3.80 / lb | +$0.02 | $3.80 - $3.80 |
| 12/19/2025 | $3.78 / lb | +$0.53 | $3.50 - $4.00 |
| 12/15/2025 | $3.25 / lb | -$0.70 | $3.25 - $3.25 |
| 12/14/2025 | $3.95 / lb | +$0.15 | $3.90 - $4.00 |
| 12/12/2025 | $3.80 / lb | — no change | $3.80 - $3.80 |
| 12/5/2025 | $3.80 / lb | -$0.05 | $3.80 - $3.80 |
| 12/4/2025 | $3.85 / lb | +$0.20 | $3.80 - $3.90 |
| 11/20/2025 | $3.65 / lb | +$0.20 | $3.65 - $3.65 |
| 11/8/2025 | $3.45 / lb | +$0.05 | $3.45 - $3.45 |
| 10/23/2025 | $3.40 / lb | -$0.50 | $3.40 - $3.40 |
| 10/14/2025 | $3.90 / lb | +$0.90 | $3.90 - $3.90 |
| 10/8/2025 | $3.00 / lb | -$0.28 | $3.00 - $3.00 |
| 10/6/2025 | $3.28 / lb | -$0.52 | $3.25 - $3.30 |
| 10/3/2025 | $3.80 / lb | +$1.30 | $3.80 - $3.80 |
| 10/1/2025 | $2.50 / lb | -$1.12 | $2.50 - $2.50 |
| 9/30/2025 | $3.62 / lb | -$0.08 | $3.62 - $3.62 |
| 9/25/2025 | $3.70 / lb | +$0.25 | $3.70 - $3.70 |
| 9/19/2025 | $3.45 / lb | +$0.10 | $3.45 - $3.45 |
| 9/16/2025 | $3.35 / lb | -$0.20 | $3.35 - $3.35 |
| 9/15/2025 | $3.55 / lb | +$0.45 | $3.55 - $3.55 |
| 9/12/2025 | $3.10 / lb | -$0.50 | $3.10 - $3.10 |
| 9/10/2025 | $3.60 / lb | +$0.35 | $3.60 - $3.60 |
| 9/2/2025 | $3.25 / lb | — no change | $3.25 - $3.25 |
| 8/30/2025 | $3.25 / lb | +$0.25 | $3.25 - $3.25 |
| 8/29/2025 | $3.00 / lb | -$0.40 | $3.00 - $3.00 |
| 8/26/2025 | $3.40 / lb | +$0.85 | $3.40 - $3.40 |
| 8/24/2025 | $2.55 / lb | -$0.90 | $2.55 - $2.55 |
| 8/23/2025 | $3.45 / lb | +$0.45 | $3.45 - $3.45 |
| 8/8/2025 | $3.00 / lb | -$0.10 | $3.00 - $3.00 |
| 8/5/2025 | $3.10 / lb | +$0.10 | $3.10 - $3.10 |
| 8/4/2025 | $3.00 / lb | -$0.20 | $3.00 - $3.00 |
| 8/3/2025 | $3.20 / lb | +$0.30 | $3.20 - $3.20 |
| 7/31/2025 | $2.90 / lb | -$0.60 | $2.90 - $2.90 |
| 7/29/2025 | $3.50 / lb | +$0.25 | $3.50 - $3.50 |
| 7/15/2025 | $3.25 / lb | -$0.30 | $3.25 - $3.25 |
| 7/11/2025 | $3.55 / lb | +$0.35 | $3.55 - $3.55 |
| 7/9/2025 | $3.20 / lb | +$0.20 | $3.20 - $3.20 |
| 6/20/2025 | $3.00 / lb | -$0.45 | $3.00 - $3.00 |
| 6/17/2025 | $3.45 / lb | +$0.20 | $3.45 - $3.45 |
| 6/16/2025 | $3.25 / lb | +$0.25 | $3.25 - $3.25 |
| 6/11/2025 | $3.00 / lb | +$0.20 | $3.00 - $3.00 |
| 6/9/2025 | $2.80 / lb | -$0.55 | $2.80 - $2.80 |
| 6/7/2025 | $3.35 / lb | +$0.55 | $3.35 - $3.35 |
| 6/4/2025 | $2.80 / lb | -$0.45 | $2.80 - $2.80 |
| 5/28/2025 | $3.25 / lb | +$0.45 | $3.25 - $3.25 |
| 5/21/2025 | $2.80 / lb | -$0.40 | $2.80 - $2.80 |
| 5/20/2025 | $3.20 / lb | -$0.25 | $3.20 - $3.20 |
| 4/30/2025 | $3.45 / lb | +$0.45 | $3.45 - $3.45 |
| 4/29/2025 | $3.00 / lb | -$0.65 | $3.00 - $3.00 |
| 4/25/2025 | $3.65 / lb | +$0.35 | $3.65 - $3.65 |
| 4/19/2025 | $3.30 / lb | +$0.20 | $3.30 - $3.30 |
| 4/14/2025 | $3.10 / lb | -$0.70 | $3.10 - $3.10 |
| 3/24/2025 | $3.80 / lb | +$0.20 | $3.80 - $3.80 |
| 3/23/2025 | $3.60 / lb | +$0.10 | $3.55 - $3.65 |
| 3/19/2025 | $3.50 / lb | -$0.23 | $3.50 - $3.50 |
| 3/17/2025 | $3.73 / lb | +$0.73 | $3.60 - $3.85 |
| 2/13/2025 | $3.00 / lb | -$0.55 | $3.00 - $3.00 |
| 2/11/2025 | $3.55 / lb | +$0.30 | $3.55 - $3.55 |
| 1/25/2025 | $3.25 / lb | -$0.35 | $3.20 - $3.30 |
| 1/21/2025 | $3.60 / lb | +$0.30 | $3.60 - $3.60 |
| 1/17/2025 | $3.30 / lb | -$0.15 | $3.30 - $3.30 |
| 1/14/2025 | $3.45 / lb | +$0.05 | $3.45 - $3.45 |
| 1/13/2025 | $3.40 / lb | +$0.15 | $3.40 - $3.40 |
| 12/8/2024 | $3.25 / lb | -$0.20 | $3.25 - $3.25 |
| 12/5/2024 | $3.45 / lb | +$0.45 | $3.45 - $3.45 |
| 12/3/2024 | $3.00 / lb | -$0.50 | $3.00 - $3.00 |
| 11/14/2024 | $3.50 / lb | -$0.20 | $3.50 - $3.50 |
| 11/4/2024 | $3.70 / lb | +$0.40 | $3.70 - $3.70 |
| 11/3/2024 | $3.30 / lb | +$0.05 | $3.30 - $3.30 |
| 11/2/2024 | $3.25 / lb | -$0.40 | $3.25 - $3.25 |
| 10/5/2024 | $3.65 / lb | +$0.55 | $3.65 - $3.65 |
| 9/18/2024 | $3.10 / lb | -$0.40 | $3.10 - $3.10 |
| 9/16/2024 | $3.50 / lb | — no change | $3.50 - $3.50 |
| 9/12/2024 | $3.50 / lb | +$0.30 | $3.50 - $3.50 |
| 9/8/2024 | $3.20 / lb | -$0.21 | $3.15 - $3.25 |
| 8/18/2024 | $3.41 / lb | -$0.02 | $3.41 - $3.41 |
| 8/12/2024 | $3.43 / lb | +$0.23 | $3.40 - $3.45 |
| 8/8/2024 | $3.20 / lb | -$0.31 | $3.20 - $3.20 |
| 8/3/2024 | $3.51 / lb | -$0.09 | $3.51 - $3.51 |
| 7/26/2024 | $3.60 / lb | -$0.10 | $3.60 - $3.60 |
| 7/24/2024 | $3.70 / lb | +$0.20 | $3.70 - $3.70 |
| 7/23/2024 | $3.50 / lb | -$0.35 | $3.50 - $3.50 |
| 7/20/2024 | $3.85 / lb | +$0.32 | $3.85 - $3.85 |
| 7/13/2024 | $3.53 / lb | -$0.27 | $3.45 - $3.60 |
| 6/22/2024 | $3.80 / lb | — no change | $3.80 - $3.80 |
| 6/19/2024 | $3.80 / lb | +$0.60 | $3.80 - $3.80 |
| 6/5/2024 | $3.20 / lb | -$0.50 | $3.20 - $3.20 |
| 6/1/2024 | $3.70 / lb | +$0.30 | $3.70 - $3.70 |
| 5/31/2024 | $3.40 / lb | -$0.08 | $3.40 - $3.40 |
| 5/29/2024 | $3.48 / lb | -$0.10 | $3.45 - $3.50 |
| 5/28/2024 | $3.58 / lb | -$0.07 | $3.50 - $3.65 |
| 5/27/2024 | $3.65 / lb | +$0.13 | $3.65 - $3.65 |
| 5/25/2024 | $3.52 / lb | +$0.22 | $3.52 - $3.52 |
| 5/18/2024 | $3.30 / lb | -$0.02 | $3.30 - $3.30 |
| 4/17/2024 | $3.32 / lb | -$0.18 | $3.32 - $3.32 |
| 4/13/2024 | $3.50 / lb | +$0.40 | $3.50 - $3.50 |
| 3/4/2024 | $3.10 / lb | -$0.20 | $3.10 - $3.10 |
| 2/27/2024 | $3.30 / lb | +$0.05 | $3.30 - $3.30 |
| 2/26/2024 | $3.25 / lb | +$0.30 | $3.25 - $3.25 |
| 12/10/2023 | $2.95 / lb | -$0.16 | $2.95 - $2.95 |
| 12/5/2023 | $3.11 / lb | -$0.04 | $3.11 - $3.11 |
| 12/2/2023 | $3.15 / lb | +$0.05 | $3.15 - $3.15 |
| 10/2/2023 | $3.10 / lb | -$0.15 | $3.10 - $3.10 |
| 10/1/2023 | $3.25 / lb | +$0.20 | $3.25 - $3.25 |
| 9/23/2023 | $3.05 / lb | -$0.10 | $3.05 - $3.05 |
| 9/21/2023 | $3.15 / lb | +$0.15 | $3.15 - $3.15 |
| 6/8/2023 | $3.00 / lb | +$0.20 | $3.00 - $3.00 |
| 6/4/2023 | $2.80 / lb | -$0.60 | $2.80 - $2.80 |
| 4/2/2023 | $3.40 / lb | +$0.15 | $3.40 - $3.40 |
| 4/1/2023 | $3.25 / lb | -$0.05 | $3.25 - $3.25 |
| 3/27/2023 | $3.30 / lb | -$0.05 | $3.30 - $3.30 |
| 3/21/2023 | $3.35 / lb | +$0.25 | $3.35 - $3.35 |
| 2/6/2023 | $3.10 / lb | -$0.40 | $3.10 - $3.10 |
| 2/4/2023 | $3.50 / lb | +$0.45 | $3.50 - $3.50 |
| 12/8/2022 | $3.05 / lb | +$0.10 | $3.05 - $3.05 |
| 12/3/2022 | $2.95 / lb | +$0.05 | $2.95 - $2.95 |
| 12/1/2022 | $2.90 / lb | +$0.15 | $2.85 - $2.95 |
| 10/6/2022 | $2.75 / lb | +$0.20 | $2.75 - $2.75 |
| 10/3/2022 | $2.55 / lb | +$0.05 | $2.55 - $2.55 |
| 9/27/2022 | $2.50 / lb | +$0.20 | $2.50 - $2.50 |
| 8/19/2022 | $2.30 / lb | -$0.30 | $2.30 - $2.30 |
| 8/14/2022 | $2.60 / lb | -$0.10 | $2.60 - $2.60 |
| 8/9/2022 | $2.70 / lb | -$0.17 | $2.60 - $2.80 |
| 6/25/2022 | $2.87 / lb | -$0.73 | $2.87 - $2.87 |
| 5/25/2022 | $3.60 / lb | +$0.20 | $3.60 - $3.60 |
| 5/19/2022 | $3.40 / lb | -$0.05 | $3.40 - $3.40 |
| 5/16/2022 | $3.45 / lb | -$0.40 | $3.45 - $3.45 |
| 1/27/2022 | $3.85 / lb | +$0.40 | $3.85 - $3.85 |
| 1/22/2022 | $3.45 / lb | -$0.15 | $3.45 - $3.45 |
| 12/6/2021 | $3.60 / lb | — no change | $3.60 - $3.60 |
| 12/3/2021 | $3.60 / lb | -$0.20 | $3.60 - $3.60 |
| 10/27/2021 | $3.80 / lb | +$0.34 | $3.80 - $3.80 |
| 10/22/2021 | $3.46 / lb | +$0.26 | $3.46 - $3.46 |
| 10/16/2021 | $3.20 / lb | -$0.20 | $3.20 - $3.20 |
| 9/20/2021 | $3.40 / lb | -$0.05 | $3.40 - $3.40 |
| 9/10/2021 | $3.45 / lb | -$0.03 | $3.45 - $3.45 |
| 8/1/2021 | $3.48 / lb | -$0.12 | $3.48 - $3.48 |
| 7/27/2021 | $3.60 / lb | -$0.05 | $3.60 - $3.60 |
| 6/15/2021 | $3.65 / lb | -$0.20 | $3.65 - $3.65 |
| 5/16/2021 | $3.85 / lb | +$0.29 | $3.85 - $3.85 |
| 5/13/2021 | $3.56 / lb | +$0.46 | $3.56 - $3.56 |
| 4/19/2021 | $3.10 / lb | -$0.25 | $3.10 - $3.10 |
| 4/17/2021 | $3.35 / lb | +$0.20 | $3.35 - $3.35 |
| 3/4/2021 | $3.15 / lb | +$0.25 | $3.15 - $3.15 |
| 1/28/2021 | $2.90 / lb | +$0.15 | $2.90 - $2.90 |
| 1/18/2021 | $2.75 / lb | +$0.05 | $2.75 - $2.75 |
| 1/16/2021 | $2.70 / lb | +$0.20 | $2.70 - $2.70 |
| 12/5/2020 | $2.50 / lb | — no change | $2.50 - $2.50 |
| 12/2/2020 | $2.50 / lb | -$0.03 | $2.50 - $2.50 |
| 11/25/2020 | $2.53 / lb | +$0.18 | $2.50 - $2.56 |
| 10/25/2020 | $2.35 / lb | +$0.05 | $2.35 - $2.35 |
| 10/19/2020 | $2.30 / lb | -$0.15 | $2.30 - $2.30 |
| 9/30/2020 | $2.45 / lb | — no change | $2.45 - $2.45 |
| 9/28/2020 | $2.45 / lb | +$0.15 | $2.45 - $2.45 |
| 8/15/2020 | $2.30 / lb | -$0.05 | $2.30 - $2.30 |
| 8/5/2020 | $2.35 / lb | +$0.25 | $2.35 - $2.35 |
| 12/14/2019 | $2.10 / lb | +$0.20 | $2.10 - $2.10 |
| 11/20/2019 | $1.90 / lb | +$0.10 | $1.90 - $1.90 |
| 11/18/2019 | $1.80 / lb | -$0.30 | $1.80 - $1.80 |
| 11/15/2019 | $2.10 / lb | +$0.04 | $2.10 - $2.10 |
| 9/22/2019 | $2.06 / lb | -$0.06 | $2.06 - $2.06 |
| 9/4/2019 | $2.12 / lb | +$0.22 | $2.12 - $2.12 |
| 8/24/2019 | $1.90 / lb | -$0.30 | $1.90 - $1.90 |
| 7/17/2019 | $2.20 / lb | +$0.20 | $2.20 - $2.20 |
| 2/19/2019 | $2.00 / lb | -$0.15 | $2.00 - $2.00 |
| 1/15/2019 | $2.15 / lb | +$0.51 | $2.15 - $2.15 |
| 11/5/2018 | $1.64 / lb | -$0.61 | $1.64 - $1.64 |
| 11/1/2018 | $2.25 / lb | +$0.05 | $2.25 - $2.25 |
| 9/27/2018 | $2.20 / lb | +$0.05 | $2.20 - $2.20 |
| 8/26/2018 | $2.15 / lb | +$0.21 | $2.15 - $2.15 |
| 8/15/2018 | $1.94 / lb | -$0.31 | $1.94 - $1.94 |
| 7/25/2018 | $2.25 / lb | +$0.21 | $2.25 - $2.25 |
| 7/1/2018 | $2.04 / lb | -$0.61 | $2.04 - $2.04 |
| 6/23/2018 | $2.65 / lb | +$0.05 | $2.65 - $2.65 |
| 4/20/2018 | $2.60 / lb | -$0.05 | $2.60 - $2.60 |
| 3/20/2018 | $2.65 / lb | +$0.05 | $2.65 - $2.65 |
| 2/13/2018 | $2.60 / lb | -$0.05 | $2.60 - $2.60 |
| 1/11/2018 | $2.65 / lb | +$0.15 | $2.65 - $2.65 |
| 12/10/2017 | $2.50 / lb | -$0.10 | $2.50 - $2.50 |
| 11/7/2017 | $2.60 / lb | +$0.20 | $2.60 - $2.60 |
| 10/7/2017 | $2.40 / lb | -$0.10 | $2.40 - $2.40 |
| 9/6/2017 | $2.50 / lb | +$0.15 | $2.50 - $2.50 |
| 8/5/2017 | $2.35 / lb | +$0.25 | $2.35 - $2.35 |
| 6/30/2017 | $2.10 / lb | +$0.10 | $2.10 - $2.10 |
| 11/26/2016 | $2.00 / lb | +$0.10 | $2.00 - $2.00 |
| 11/11/2016 | $1.90 / lb | +$0.24 | $1.90 - $1.90 |
| 10/26/2016 | $1.66 / lb | -$0.14 | $1.66 - $1.66 |
| 10/15/2016 | $1.80 / lb | +$0.05 | $1.80 - $1.80 |
| 10/8/2016 | $1.75 / lb | +$0.03 | $1.75 - $1.75 |
| 8/23/2016 | $1.72 / lb | -$0.08 | $1.72 - $1.72 |
| 8/1/2016 | $1.80 / lb | +$0.05 | $1.80 - $1.80 |
| 6/25/2016 | $1.75 / lb | -$0.05 | $1.75 - $1.75 |
| 4/20/2016 | $1.80 / lb | -$0.05 | $1.80 - $1.80 |
| 4/3/2016 | $1.85 / lb | +$0.15 | $1.85 - $1.85 |
| 3/2/2016 | $1.70 / lb | +$0.05 | $1.70 - $1.70 |
| 2/13/2016 | $1.65 / lb | -$0.10 | $1.65 - $1.65 |
| 11/22/2015 | $1.75 / lb | -$0.25 | $1.75 - $1.75 |
| 10/22/2015 | $2.00 / lb | +$0.10 | $2.00 - $2.00 |
| 9/1/2015 | $1.90 / lb | -$0.10 | $1.90 - $1.90 |
| 8/12/2015 | $2.00 / lb | -$0.35 | $2.00 - $2.00 |
| 5/12/2015 | $2.35 / lb | +$0.10 | $2.35 - $2.35 |
| 3/27/2015 | $2.25 / lb | +$0.15 | $2.25 - $2.25 |
| 2/9/2015 | $2.10 / lb | -$0.65 | $2.10 - $2.10 |
| 8/27/2014 | $2.75 / lb | -$0.10 | $2.75 - $2.75 |
The Anatomy of #1 Copper
Let's get straight to it: #1 Copper is the bread and butter of the scrap game. We are talking about clean, unalloyed, and uncoated copper clipping, punching, bus bars, commutator segments, and clean copper tubing. Wire has to be thicker than 16 gauge (about pencil lead thickness) to make the cut. Right now, our data shows national payouts ranging from $4.40 on the conservative side up to $4.85 for heavy, perfectly prepped gaylord boxes. The current national average is sitting at $4.57 per pound.
Prep It Right or Lose Money at the Scale
Scale masters do not mess around when grading #1 Copper. If they see a single brass fitting, a dab of solder, or heavy green oxidation on your copper pipes, your entire bin is getting downgraded to #2 Copper. Yards typically pay $4.10 to $4.50/lb for the lower grade, so laziness directly eats your profits. The same goes for mixing grades upward: if you toss perfectly stripped Bare Bright Copper into a bucket of #1, buyers will pay the #1 price for the whole load, costing you roughly $0.23 per pound on the premium stuff.
Yard Pro Tip: Cut those old plumbing pipes open and check the inside. Heavy mineral scale, water deposits, or hidden sediment inside a seemingly clean copper pipe will get your load kicked down to #2 Copper instantly. Run a wire brush through it or smack the debris out if you want that top-tier pricing.
Also, watch out for copper-plated steel wire. It looks exactly like the real deal, but a quick tap with your everyday magnet will expose it. If it sticks, it's steel, and throwing it in your #1 pile will ruin your reputation with local buyers in Pennsylvania. Taking the extra time to sort your metals ensures you get paid exactly what your load is worth.
Frequently Asked Questions
What dictates the daily price of #1 Copper?
Scrap yards base their daily boards on the COMEX. Because yards have overhead, processing, and freight costs, they typically buy #1 Copper at about 19.4% below the spot price. Keep an eye on the market to know when to hold and when to haul.
Can I strip insulated wire and sell it as #1 Copper?
Absolutely. If the wire inside is thicker than 16 gauge and is uncoated (no tin or nickel plating), stripping #1 Insulated Wire is the best way to upgrade your payout to the $4.57 range. Just make sure no insulation residue is left behind.
Why did my clean copper pipe get downgraded?
If your pipe had any paint, oil, solder joints, or brass fittings attached, buyers will categorize it as #2. Even a tiny sweat joint means it is no longer pure #1. Always cut the joints off and sell them in a separate bucket to maximize your payout in Pennsylvania.
#1 Copper scrap prices in Pennsylvania on the map
The map shows cities in Pennsylvania with #1 Copper scrap prices. Click a marker or pick a city in the list below to see #1 Copper prices in that location.
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