Average scrap price for #3 Insulated Wire (Low Grade)

180-day market: price lists from 3 yards. As of today.
$0.50/ lb+$0.12 (31.6%)
GT = Gross Ton (2240 lbs)
Avg: $0.50
Lowest price $0.50
Highest price$0.50Who pays the most? ⟶
How to read scrap yard offers Pennsylvania
  • Low (around $0.50): Floor price, typically for small loads.
  • Mid ($0.50): A fair deal for standard quantities.
  • High ($0.50+): 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 $0.30 to $3.25.
Jun '25Sep '25Dec '25Mar '26Today
Market response to COMEX pricing
Current spread vs. exchange (today): ~92.3% (-$5.99/ lb). Typical spread for this grade: 39%–93%
✓ Scrap yards are offering fair market rates
Market snapshot
Stable market. Prices have held steady over the past 6 months.
Pricing verified from 3 live board rates in this area.

Where to sell #3 Insulated Wire (Low Grade) in Pennsylvania

Scrap yards in Pennsylvania buying #3 Insulated Wire (Low Grade) — with current per-pound rates listed. Prices shown are indicative; actual payouts may vary by lot size, date, and material condition. Call ahead to confirm today’s price and minimum quantity. For large lots, ask about specialty or volume pricing.

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By price
By date
Updated today

Brenner Recycling

Listed as: Low Grade Copper Wire
282 S Wyoming St, Hazleton, PA 18201 Plan route
$0.50/ lb
Updated 123 days ago

Paz Metals Inc.

Listed as: 25-30% Insulated Wire
4315 Run Way, York, PA 17406 Plan route
$0.50/ lb

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Compare #3 Insulated Wire (Low Grade) prices with other Insulated Copper Wire grades

See the exact price difference between #3 Insulated Wire (Low Grade) and similar grades like #1 Insulated Wire or THHN Wire. Compare the current rates per pound below to ensure you get the maximum payout for your sorted scrap.

Current price #3 Insulated Wire (Low Grade)
#3 Insulated Wire (Low Grade) Based on 3 scrap yards
Avg price:$0.50 / lb
Trend for 30 days: 0.0%
Sort separately
#1 Insulated Wire Based on 4 scrap yards
Avg price:$2.78 / lb
Mix it with #3 Insulated Wire (Low Grade)?They'll pay $0.50 / lb for all of it
Loss if not sorted:-$2.28 / lb
Trend for 30 days: +12.5%
Price analytics
Sort separately
THHN Wire Based on 2 scrap yards
Avg price:$2.53 / lb
Mix it with #3 Insulated Wire (Low Grade)?They'll pay $0.50 / lb for all of it
Loss if not sorted:-$2.03 / lb
Trend for 6 mo.: +29.0%
Price analytics
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Coax & Heliax Cable Estimated U.S. prices
Avg price:$2.17 / lb
Mix it with #3 Insulated Wire (Low Grade)?They'll pay $0.50 / lb for all of it
Loss if not sorted:-$1.67 / lb
Trend for 6 mo.: 0.2%
Price analytics
Sort separately
Romex® Wire Based on 2 scrap yards
Avg price:$1.90 / lb
Mix it with #3 Insulated Wire (Low Grade)?They'll pay $0.50 / lb for all of it
Loss if not sorted:-$1.40 / lb
Trend for 30 days: 0.0%
Price analytics
Sort separately
#2 Insulated Wire Based on 4 scrap yards
Avg price:$1.41 / lb
Mix it with #3 Insulated Wire (Low Grade)?They'll pay $0.50 / lb for all of it
Loss if not sorted:-$0.91 / lb
Trend for 6 mo.: +7.5%
Price analytics
Sort separately
Wire Harnesses Based on 1 scrap yard
Avg price:$1.05 / lb
Mix it with #3 Insulated Wire (Low Grade)?They'll pay $0.50 / lb for all of it
Loss if not sorted:-$0.55 / lb
Trend for 30 days: 0.0%
Price analytics
Sort separately
Jelly Wire Estimated U.S. prices
Avg price:$1.03 / lb
Mix it with #3 Insulated Wire (Low Grade)?They'll pay $0.50 / lb for all of it
Loss if not sorted:-$0.53 / lb
Trend for 30 days: 0.0%
Price analytics
Sort separately
Telecom & Data Wire Based on 1 scrap yard
Avg price:$0.90 / lb
Mix it with #3 Insulated Wire (Low Grade)?They'll pay $0.50 / lb for all of it
Loss if not sorted:-$0.40 / lb
Trend for 30 days: 0.0%
Price analytics
Sort separately
Armored Cable (BX) Based on 2 scrap yards
Avg price:$0.58 / lb
Mix it with #3 Insulated Wire (Low Grade)?They'll pay $0.50 / lb for all of it
Loss if not sorted:-$0.08 / lb
Trend for 30 days: +12.5%
Price analytics
MCM & Industrial Cable Based on 1 scrap yard
Avg price:$2.16 / lb
Trend for 30 days: 0.0%
Price analytics
Christmas Lights Based on 2 scrap yards
Avg price:$0.33 / lb
Trend for 30 days: 0.0%
Price analytics
Computer Wire Based on 1 scrap yard
Avg price:$0.20 / lb
Trend for 30 days: 0.0%
Price analytics

Price chart: #3 Insulated Wire (Low Grade) and COMEX Copper exchange data

This chart helps you track market direction and analyze #3 Insulated Wire (Low Grade) prices at local scrap yards. The line shows the local trend alongside COMEX Copper exchange data. When the exchange ticks up and yard prices haven't followed yet, they typically catch up within a few days — a good signal to wait before selling. When both lines are trending down, lock in your price and sell now before yards lower their offers further.

Current #3 Insulated Wire (Low Grade) scrap vs. COMEX Copper world price (COMEX)

Avg scrap yard price

$0.50
Scrap metal dealers
Price gap: −$5.99 / lb
vs. exchange

Today's world market price (COMEX)

$6.49 / lb
✓ 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.

Monthly spread: #3 Insulated Wire (Low Grade) scrap vs. COMEX Copper

Market Analysis: This month, the average spread between #3 Insulated Wire (Low Grade) prices at local scrap yards and the exchange is 92.2%. This is outside the typical historical range for this metal category (89% – 95%). Our data suggests local yard prices haven’t fully updated to reflect current market movements. Browse offers in your area ↑
PeriodWorld price (per lb)Scrap yard price (per lb)Spread vs. exchange
June 2026 (current)$6.4428 / lb$0.50 / lb−$5.94 (92.2%)
May 2026$6.3000 / lb$3.78 / lb−$2.52 (40%)
April 2026$5.9057 / lb$3.54 / lb−$2.37 (40.1%)
March 2026$5.6775 / lb$3.41 / lb−$2.27 (39.9%)
February 2026$5.8801 / lb$2.64 / lb−$3.24 (55.1%)
January 2026$5.8949 / lb$3.54 / lb−$2.35 (39.9%)
December 2025$5.4977 / lb$3.30 / lb−$2.20 (40%)
November 2025$5.0640 / lb$3.04 / lb−$2.02 (40%)
October 2025$5.0502 / lb$2.33 / lb−$2.72 (53.9%)
September 2025$4.6624 / lb$2.80 / lb−$1.86 (39.9%)
August 2025$4.4780 / lb$2.10 / lb−$2.38 (53.1%)
July 2025$5.4826 / lb$3.29 / lb−$2.19 (40%)
June 2025$4.8832 / lb$2.93 / lb−$1.95 (40%)
May 2025$4.6862 / lb$2.81 / lb−$1.88 (40%)
April 2025$4.6543 / lb$2.79 / lb−$1.86 (40.1%)
March 2025$4.9195 / lb$2.95 / lb−$1.97 (40%)
February 2025$4.5581 / lb$2.74 / lb−$1.82 (39.9%)
January 2025$4.2698 / lb$2.00 / lb−$2.27 (53.2%)
December 2024$4.1579 / lb$2.50 / lb−$1.66 (39.9%)
November 2024$4.1994 / lb$2.52 / lb−$1.68 (40%)
October 2024$4.4318 / lb$2.66 / lb−$1.77 (40%)
September 2024$4.2927 / lb$2.00 / lb−$2.29 (53.4%)
August 2024$4.1218 / lb$2.47 / lb−$1.65 (40.1%)
July 2024$4.3752 / lb$2.63 / lb−$1.75 (39.9%)
June 2024$4.4911 / lb$2.70 / lb−$1.79 (39.9%)
May 2024$4.7547 / lb$2.85 / lb−$1.90 (40.1%)
April 2024$4.3637 / lb$2.62 / lb−$1.74 (40%)
March 2024$3.9836 / lb$2.39 / lb−$1.59 (40%)
February 2024$3.8018 / lb$2.28 / lb−$1.52 (40%)
January 2024$3.8113 / lb$2.29 / lb−$1.52 (39.9%)
December 2023$3.8712 / lb$1.78 / lb−$2.09 (54%)
November 2023$3.7208 / lb$2.23 / lb−$1.49 (40.1%)
October 2023$3.6093 / lb$2.17 / lb−$1.44 (39.9%)
September 2023$3.7598 / lb$2.26 / lb−$1.50 (39.9%)
August 2023$3.7761 / lb$2.27 / lb−$1.51 (39.9%)
July 2023$3.8455 / lb$2.31 / lb−$1.54 (39.9%)
June 2023$3.8050 / lb$2.28 / lb−$1.53 (40.1%)
May 2023$3.7515 / lb$2.25 / lb−$1.50 (40%)
April 2023$4.0074 / lb$2.40 / lb−$1.61 (40.1%)
March 2023$4.0282 / lb$2.42 / lb−$1.61 (39.9%)
February 2023$4.0648 / lb$2.44 / lb−$1.62 (40%)
January 2023$4.1151 / lb$2.47 / lb−$1.65 (40%)
December 2022$3.8207 / lb$2.29 / lb−$1.53 (40.1%)
November 2022$3.6740 / lb$2.20 / lb−$1.47 (40.1%)
October 2022$3.4304 / lb$2.06 / lb−$1.37 (39.9%)
September 2022$3.4553 / lb$2.07 / lb−$1.39 (40.1%)
August 2022$3.6165 / lb$2.17 / lb−$1.45 (40%)
July 2022$3.4195 / lb$2.05 / lb−$1.37 (40%)
June 2022$4.1187 / lb$2.47 / lb−$1.65 (40%)
May 2022$4.2573 / lb$2.55 / lb−$1.71 (40.1%)
April 2022$4.6495 / lb$2.79 / lb−$1.86 (40%)
March 2022$4.7077 / lb$2.83 / lb−$1.88 (39.9%)
February 2022$4.5023 / lb$2.70 / lb−$1.80 (40%)
January 2022$4.4345 / lb$2.66 / lb−$1.77 (40%)
December 2021$4.3322 / lb$2.60 / lb−$1.73 (40%)
November 2021$4.3676 / lb$2.62 / lb−$1.75 (40%)
October 2021$4.4324 / lb$2.66 / lb−$1.77 (40%)
September 2021$4.2864 / lb$2.57 / lb−$1.72 (40%)
August 2021$4.3030 / lb$2.58 / lb−$1.72 (40%)
July 2021$4.3475 / lb$2.61 / lb−$1.74 (40%)
June 2021$4.3888 / lb$2.63 / lb−$1.76 (40.1%)
May 2021$4.6189 / lb$2.08 / lb−$2.54 (55%)
April 2021$4.1926 / lb$1.99 / lb−$2.20 (52.5%)
March 2021$4.0847 / lb$2.45 / lb−$1.63 (40%)
February 2021$3.8610 / lb$2.32 / lb−$1.54 (39.9%)
January 2021$3.6074 / lb$2.16 / lb−$1.45 (40.1%)
December 2020$3.5490 / lb$2.09 / lb−$1.46 (41.1%)

Daily price history for #3 Insulated Wire (Low Grade)

The table below shows the daily price history for #3 Insulated Wire (Low Grade) at local scrap yards. For each day we display the average payout, the change from the previous day, and the full market range (low and high). This lets you spot the direction of the market over recent days — whether prices are climbing, falling, or holding steady. Review several consecutive days of data before making a trip, and always confirm today’s rate directly with the yards listed on this page.

DateAvg price (per lb)ChangeRange (Low/High)
$0.50 / lb+$0.12$0.50 – $0.50
2/17/2026 $0.38 / lb+$0.08$0.30 – $0.50
10/14/2025 $0.30 / lb−$0.15$0.30 – $0.30
8/30/2025 $0.45 / lb+$0.05$0.45 – $0.45
1/13/2025 $0.40 / lb+$0.10$0.40 – $0.40
9/8/2024 $0.30 / lb+$0.10$0.30 – $0.30
12/10/2023 $0.20 / lb+$0.04$0.20 – $0.20
5/13/2021 $0.16 / lb−$0.34$0.16 – $0.16
4/19/2021 $0.50 / lb−$0.40$0.50 – $0.50