Average #2 Copper Price

Blended rate: local Oklahoma prices + national trend. As of 3/19/2026.
$3.95/ lb -$0.45 (10.8%)
Use this as a baseline for negotiations. Always call local yards to confirm their rate for your load size.GT = Gross Ton (2240 lbs)
Avg: $3.95
Lowest price $3.50
Highest price$4.50Who pays the most? ⟶
How to read a yard's offer

The min/max range reflects a blended index (local + national data). Your local high may be lower.

  • Low (up to $3.50): Floor price, typically for small loads.
  • Mid ($3.95): A fair deal for standard quantities.
  • High ($4.50+): 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 $2.96 to $4.70.
Mar '25Jun '25Sep '25Dec '25Today
Market response to COMEX pricing
Spread vs. exchange (180-day avg): ~26.8% (-$1.42/lb). Typical spread for this grade: 21%–33%
✓ Scrap yards are offering fair market rates
Market snapshot
Downward trend. Prices have been falling over the past week.
Pricing verified from 3 live board rates today.

#2 Copper price reference for Oklahoma

Scrap yards in Oklahoma don’t always update their prices in real time. To give you a reliable current value, we use the U.S. national average ($4.28/lb). The secondary metals market tracks exchange moves consistently across the country. Use this national figure as your benchmark when negotiating with local yards. #2 Copper prices across the U.S. →

Top Scrap Yards Buying #2 Copper in Oklahoma

These are scrap yards in Oklahoma that recently updated #2 Copper prices in our database. Call them to lock in a quote. If your city isn't listed, use the National Index above as a bargaining reference with your nearest buyer.

💼 Scrap yard owners: Post your buy prices and get more customers
By price
By date
Updated 2 days ago

CMC Recycling

Listed as: No. 2 Copper
1804 N 166th E Ave, Tulsa, OK 74116 Get Directions
$4.26 / lb
Updated 32 days ago

Western Oklahoma Metal Recycling LLC

Listed as: Copper #2
10377 N 2400 Rd Get Directions
$3.50 / lb
Updated 241 days ago

Steel City Metals

Listed as: CLEAN COPPER #2
911 S 1st St Get Directions
$3.55 / lb

Don’t see your scrap yard in Oklahoma? List it for free.

Hundreds of sellers in your area search for current scrap prices every day. Post your buy prices and start getting calls.

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Compare #2 Copper Prices vs. Other Copper 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.

Sort separately
#1 Copper Based on 2 scrap yards
Avg price:$4.19 / lb How to sort?
Mix it with #2 Copper?They’ll pay $3.95 for all of it
Loss if not sorted:-$0.24 per lb
Trend (90d): 0.1%
Price analytics
Sort separately
Bare Bright Copper Based on 1 scrap yards
Avg price:$4.10 / lb How to sort?
Mix it with #2 Copper?They’ll pay $3.95 for all of it
Loss if not sorted:-$0.15 per lb
Trend (30d): 0.0%
Price analytics
Light Copper / Sheet Copper Estimated U.S. prices
Avg price:$4.25 / lb
Trend (30d): +0.5%
Price analytics
Copper Turnings Estimated U.S. prices
Avg price:$3.91 / lb
Trend (6m): +6.9%
Price analytics
MCM & Industrial Cable Estimated U.S. prices
Avg price:$3.82 / lb
Trend (30d): -4.4%
Price analytics
THHN Wire Estimated U.S. prices
Avg price:$3.47 / lb
Trend (30d): -4.5%
Price analytics
#1 Insulated Wire Based on 2 scrap yards
Avg price:$2.50 / lb
Trend (90d): -8.9%
Price analytics
Romex® Wire Based on 1 scrap yards
Avg price:$2.35 / lb
Trend (30d): 0.0%
Price analytics
Coax & Heliax Cable Estimated U.S. prices
Avg price:$2.11 / lb
Trend (30d): +6.5%
Price analytics
Telecom & Data Wire Estimated U.S. prices
Avg price:$1.76 / lb
Trend (30d): +15.0%
Price analytics
#2 Insulated Wire Based on 2 scrap yards
Avg price:$1.04 / lb
Trend (90d): -15.0%
Price analytics
Jelly Wire Estimated U.S. prices
Avg price:$1.03 / lb
Trend (6m): +4.9%
Price analytics
#3 Insulated Wire (Low Grade) Based on 1 scrap yards
Avg price:$0.75 / lb
Trend (30d): 0.0%
Price analytics
Armored Cable (BX) Estimated U.S. prices
Avg price:$0.63 / lb
Trend (30d): +29.2%
Price analytics
Computer Wire Estimated U.S. prices
Avg price:$0.43 / lb
Trend (30d): 0.0%
Price analytics
Wire Harnesses Based on 1 scrap yards
Avg price:$0.40 / lb
Trend (30d): 0.0%
Price analytics
Christmas Lights Estimated U.S. prices
Avg price:$0.38 / lb
Trend (6m): +14.4%
Price analytics

Historical Price Trends for #2 Copper

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.

#2 Copper: Scrap Yard Price vs. World Market (COMEX)

Avg scrap yard price

$3.95
Scrap metal dealers
Spread: -$1.42/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.

#2 Copper: Spread vs. Exchange — Monthly History

Analyst take: This month’s average spread between scrap yard prices and the world market for #2 Copper is 26.8%. That’s in line with the typical range for this grade (24%–30%). Local yards are offering fair market rates. Check offers in your area ↑
PeriodWorld price (per lb)Scrap yard price (per lb)Spread vs. exchange
March 2026 (current)$5.764324$4.48-$1.29 (22.3%)
February 2026$5.880136$4.44-$1.44 (24.5%)
January 2026$5.894887$4.52-$1.38 (23.3%)
December 2025$5.497742$4.33-$1.17 (21.3%)
November 2025$5.064033$3.96-$1.11 (21.9%)
October 2025$5.050242$3.92-$1.13 (22.4%)
September 2025$4.662367$3.58-$1.08 (23.2%)
August 2025$4.477984$3.14-$1.34 (29.8%)
July 2025$5.482645$3.71-$1.78 (32.4%)
June 2025$4.883233$3.58-$1.30 (26.6%)
May 2025$4.686194$3.30-$1.38 (29.5%)
April 2025$4.654267$3.21-$1.44 (31%)
March 2025$4.919484$3.65-$1.27 (25.8%)
February 2025$4.558107$3.31-$1.25 (27.4%)
January 2025$4.269774$3.12-$1.14 (26.8%)
December 2024$4.157855$3.13-$1.03 (24.8%)
November 2024$4.199383$3.19-$1.01 (24.1%)
October 2024$4.431839$3.36-$1.07 (24.2%)
September 2024$4.292683$3.39-$0.90 (21.1%)
August 2024$4.121839$3.08-$1.04 (25.3%)
July 2024$4.375242$3.37-$1.00 (22.9%)
June 2024$4.491083$3.41-$1.08 (24.1%)
May 2024$4.75471$3.56-$1.19 (25.1%)
April 2024$4.363717$3.38-$0.98 (22.5%)
March 2024$3.983645$2.92-$1.07 (26.8%)
February 2024$3.801776$2.87-$0.93 (24.5%)
January 2024$3.811306$2.79-$1.02 (26.8%)
December 2023$3.871226$2.83-$1.04 (26.8%)
November 2023$3.720817$2.80-$0.92 (24.8%)
October 2023$3.609306$2.76-$0.85 (23.7%)
September 2023$3.759833$2.80-$0.96 (25.5%)
August 2023$3.776097$2.76-$1.01 (26.8%)
July 2023$3.8455$2.81-$1.03 (26.8%)
June 2023$3.804983$2.79-$1.02 (26.8%)
May 2023$3.751484$2.81-$0.94 (25.1%)
April 2023$4.007367$2.93-$1.07 (26.8%)
March 2023$4.02821$3.02-$1.00 (24.9%)
February 2023$4.06475$2.98-$1.09 (26.8%)
January 2023$4.115113$3.09-$1.02 (24.9%)
December 2022$3.820726$2.75-$1.07 (28.1%)
November 2022$3.674017$2.71-$0.96 (26.2%)
October 2022$3.430419$2.51-$0.92 (26.8%)
September 2022$3.455283$2.54-$0.91 (26.4%)
August 2022$3.616468$2.67-$0.94 (26.1%)
July 2022$3.4195$2.51-$0.91 (26.7%)
June 2022$4.118667$3.03-$1.09 (26.5%)
May 2022$4.257274$3.12-$1.13 (26.7%)
April 2022$4.649533$3.40-$1.25 (26.8%)
March 2022$4.707694$3.45-$1.26 (26.8%)
February 2022$4.502304$3.30-$1.21 (26.8%)
January 2022$4.4345$3.23-$1.20 (27.1%)
December 2021$4.332226$3.22-$1.11 (25.7%)
November 2021$4.367567$3.21-$1.16 (26.6%)
October 2021$4.432371$3.25-$1.19 (26.8%)
September 2021$4.2864$3.12-$1.17 (27.2%)
August 2021$4.302984$3.18-$1.13 (26.2%)
July 2021$4.347452$3.20-$1.14 (26.3%)
June 2021$4.388783$3.29-$1.10 (25%)
May 2021$4.618871$3.48-$1.14 (24.7%)
April 2021$4.192633$3.15-$1.04 (24.8%)
March 2021$4.084726$3.05-$1.04 (25.4%)
February 2021$3.861$2.80-$1.06 (27.4%)
January 2021$3.607435$2.71-$0.89 (24.8%)
December 2020$3.546903$2.60-$0.95 (26.8%)
November 2020$3.21755$2.36-$0.86 (26.8%)
October 2020$3.0939$2.24-$0.85 (27.6%)

#2 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.

DateAvg price (per lb)ChangeRange (Low/High)
3/19/2026$4.26 / lb-$0.39$4.26 - $4.26
3/17/2026$4.65 / lb-$0.05$4.65 - $4.65
3/16/2026$4.70 / lb+$0.08$4.70 - $4.70
3/4/2026$4.62 / lb+$0.09$4.62 - $4.62
2/17/2026$4.53 / lb-$0.05$4.53 - $4.53
2/3/2026$4.58 / lb-$0.05$4.58 - $4.58
2/2/2026$4.63 / lb-$0.02$4.63 - $4.63
1/16/2026$4.65 / lb+$0.16$4.65 - $4.65
1/14/2026$4.49 / lb-$0.27$4.49 - $4.49
1/8/2026$4.76 / lb+$0.12$4.76 - $4.76
1/5/2026$4.64 / lb+$0.20$4.64 - $4.64
12/19/2025$4.44 / lb-$0.01$4.44 - $4.44
12/9/2025$4.45 / lb+$0.11$4.45 - $4.45
12/5/2025$4.34 / lb+$0.36$4.34 - $4.34
11/24/2025$3.98 / lb-$0.01$3.98 - $3.98
11/10/2025$3.99 / lb-$0.06$3.99 - $3.99
11/5/2025$4.05 / lb+$0.05$4.05 - $4.05
10/16/2025$4.00 / lb-$0.09$4.00 - $4.00
10/10/2025$4.09 / lb+$0.01$4.09 - $4.09
10/8/2025$4.08 / lb+$0.17$4.08 - $4.08
9/29/2025$3.91 / lb+$0.23$3.91 - $3.91
9/26/2025$3.68 / lb-$0.04$3.68 - $3.68
9/15/2025$3.72 / lb+$0.32$3.72 - $3.72
9/5/2025$3.40 / lb-$0.26$3.40 - $3.40
9/4/2025$3.66 / lb+$1.01$3.66 - $3.66
9/2/2025$2.65 / lb-$0.60$2.65 - $2.65
8/27/2025$3.25 / lb-$0.22$3.25 - $3.25
8/12/2025$3.47 / lb+$0.47$3.47 - $3.47
8/8/2025$3.00 / lb-$0.55$3.00 - $3.00
7/23/2025$3.55 / lb+$0.20$3.55 - $3.55
7/12/2025$3.35 / lb-$0.36$3.35 - $3.35
7/1/2025$3.71 / lb+$0.03$3.71 - $3.71
6/30/2025$3.68 / lb+$0.19$3.68 - $3.68
6/23/2025$3.49 / lb-$0.16$3.49 - $3.49
6/15/2025$3.65 / lb+$0.17$3.65 - $3.65
6/4/2025$3.48 / lb+$0.06$3.48 - $3.48
5/29/2025$3.42 / lb-$0.01$3.42 - $3.42
5/20/2025$3.43 / lb+$0.28$3.43 - $3.43
5/18/2025$3.15 / lb-$0.02$3.15 - $3.15
5/6/2025$3.17 / lb-$0.13$3.17 - $3.17
4/24/2025$3.30 / lb-$0.02$3.30 - $3.30
4/22/2025$3.32 / lb-$0.06$3.32 - $3.32
4/21/2025$3.38 / lb+$0.11$3.38 - $3.38
4/20/2025$3.27 / lb+$0.24$3.27 - $3.27
4/11/2025$3.03 / lb+$0.14$3.03 - $3.03
4/7/2025$2.89 / lb-$0.14$2.89 - $2.89
4/5/2025$3.03 / lb-$0.45$3.03 - $3.03
3/31/2025$3.48 / lb-$0.14$3.48 - $3.48
3/27/2025$3.62 / lb-$0.22$3.62 - $3.62
3/25/2025$3.84 / lb+$0.01$3.84 - $3.84
3/21/2025$3.83 / lb+$0.02$3.83 - $3.83
3/18/2025$3.81 / lb+$0.14$3.81 - $3.81
3/13/2025$3.67 / lb+$0.03$3.67 - $3.67
3/11/2025$3.64 / lb+$0.26$3.64 - $3.64
3/5/2025$3.38 / lb+$0.28$3.38 - $3.38
2/7/2025$3.10 / lb-$0.27$3.10 - $3.10
12/9/2024$3.37 / lb+$0.03$3.37 - $3.37
12/3/2024$3.34 / lb+$0.03$3.34 - $3.34
11/14/2024$3.31 / lb+$0.06$3.31 - $3.31
11/2/2024$3.25 / lb-$0.50$3.25 - $3.25
10/8/2024$3.75 / lb+$0.10$3.75 - $3.75
9/28/2024$3.65 / lb+$0.20$3.65 - $3.65
9/20/2024$3.45 / lb+$0.30$3.45 - $3.45
9/9/2024$3.15 / lb-$0.12$3.15 - $3.15
9/6/2024$3.27 / lb+$0.01$3.27 - $3.27
8/9/2024$3.26 / lb+$0.21$3.26 - $3.26
8/6/2024$3.05 / lb-$0.15$3.05 - $3.05
7/29/2024$3.20 / lb-$0.60$3.20 - $3.20
7/17/2024$3.80 / lb+$0.11$3.80 - $3.80
6/14/2024$3.69 / lb-$0.14$3.69 - $3.69
6/1/2024$3.83 / lb+$0.29$3.83 - $3.83
4/24/2024$3.54 / lb+$0.04$3.54 - $3.54
4/8/2024$3.50 / lb+$0.35$3.50 - $3.50
2/29/2024$3.15 / lb+$0.08$3.15 - $3.15
11/30/2023$3.07 / lb+$0.10$3.07 - $3.07
10/31/2023$2.97 / lb+$0.05$2.97 - $2.97
10/4/2023$2.92 / lb+$0.01$2.92 - $2.92
10/1/2023$2.91 / lb-$0.02$2.91 - $2.91
5/28/2023$2.93 / lb-$0.29$2.93 - $2.93
3/25/2023$3.22 / lb-$0.19$3.22 - $3.22
1/28/2023$3.41 / lb+$0.86$3.41 - $3.41
12/6/2022$2.55 / lb-$0.22$2.55 - $2.55
11/27/2022$2.77 / lb+$0.26$2.77 - $2.77
9/29/2022$2.51 / lb-$0.23$2.51 - $2.51
8/12/2022$2.74 / lb+$0.23$2.74 - $2.74
7/6/2022$2.51 / lb-$0.29$2.51 - $2.51
7/2/2022$2.80 / lb-$0.31$2.80 - $2.80
5/20/2022$3.11 / lb-$0.24$3.11 - $3.11
1/29/2022$3.35 / lb+$0.25$3.35 - $3.35
1/18/2022$3.10 / lb-$0.19$3.10 - $3.10
12/19/2021$3.29 / lb+$0.09$3.29 - $3.29
12/2/2021$3.20 / lb-$0.37$3.20 - $3.20
10/22/2021$3.57 / lb+$0.17$3.57 - $3.57
10/21/2021$3.40 / lb+$0.37$3.40 - $3.40
9/25/2021$3.03 / lb-$0.51$3.03 - $3.03
8/3/2021$3.54 / lb+$0.45$3.54 - $3.54
7/24/2021$3.09 / lb-$0.52$3.09 - $3.09
6/14/2021$3.61 / lb-$0.17$3.61 - $3.61
5/10/2021$3.78 / lb+$0.80$3.78 - $3.78
4/23/2021$2.98 / lb-$0.45$2.98 - $2.98
4/21/2021$3.43 / lb+$0.13$3.43 - $3.43
3/6/2021$3.30 / lb+$0.41$3.30 - $3.30
2/26/2021$2.89 / lb+$0.10$2.89 - $2.89
1/28/2021$2.79 / lb+$0.21$2.79 - $2.79
1/25/2021$2.58 / lb-$0.27$2.58 - $2.58
1/20/2021$2.85 / lb+$0.03$2.85 - $2.85
1/16/2021$2.82 / lb+$0.74$2.82 - $2.82

The Real Deal on #2 Copper Pricing

When you're tearing out old plumbing or stripping down motors, #2 Copper is the grade you'll run into most often. It's the catch-all category for copper that isn't perfectly clean. Right now, our data shows national pricing averaging $4.28 per pound. Depending on the condition of your scrap and the buyer, payouts range from $4.10 on the dirty end up to $4.50 for well-sorted loads. Since scrap values follow the COMEX closely, local scrap yards in Oklahoma will typically price #2 Copper about 26.8% below the daily spot rate to cover their refining and processing costs.

Don't Leave Money on the Scale: Sorting & Prep

The golden rule of the yard is simple: mixed metal always gets the lowest price. If you walk in with a bucket of premium Bare Bright Copper but toss a few handfuls of soldered #2 plumbing joints on top, the scale master will downgrade the entire load to the #2 price. That lazy mistake can cost you around $0.52 per pound instantly. Always keep your unalloyed, clean copper completely separated from the painted, soldered, or tinned stuff.

Yard Pro Tip: The biggest mistake scrappers make with plumbing scrap is leaving solder joints or brass fittings attached to clean copper pipe. If you leave a brass valve on a clean stick of pipe, the yard will downgrade the entire piece to #2 Copper. Grab your Sawzall or pipe cutters and snip off the fittings. The clean pipe goes into your #1 pile, and the soldered joints go into your #2 bucket.

Comparing Copper and Wire Grades

Knowing the difference between your #1, #2, and insulated wire grades is how you maximize your ticket at the pay window.

GradeWhat QualifiesNational Range
#2 CopperSoldered pipe, painted copper, tinned wire, and hair-wire.$4.10 - $4.50/lb
#1 CopperClean pipe and punchings with no paint, solder, or brass.$4.40 to $4.85/lb
#1 Insulated WireThick-strand copper wire (16 gauge+) with clean plastic insulation.$2.40 to $3.90/lb
#2 Insulated WireExtension cords, telecom wire, or any wire with tinned strands.$1.50 to $2.34/lb

Frequently Asked Questions

What exactly makes a piece of copper #2 instead of #1?

Any contamination on the surface bumps it down to #2. This includes solder, paint, heavy oxidation, tar, or a tin coating. Additionally, any bare copper wire that is thinner than a pencil lead (16 gauge)—like speaker wire or stranded appliance cords—is automatically classed as #2 because it burns away too quickly in the smelting furnace.

How much should I expect to get paid for #2 Copper today?

Prices fluctuate daily with the COMEX, but our current national data shows an average of $4.28 per pound. Yards usually lock in their rates at roughly 26.8% below the spot market. Always call ahead to buyers Oklahoma to check their current board prices.

Can I clean #2 Copper to upgrade it?

It depends on the contamination. If you have a long piece of painted copper pipe, you can technically sand or scrape the paint off to upgrade it to #1. However, if the pipe has solder baked into it or the wire is tinned, it's permanently #2. In most cases, it's more time-efficient to simply cut out the clean sections and sell the dirty joints separately.