Average Telecom & Data Wire Price

Blended rate: local Connecticut prices + national trend. As of 2/17/2026.
$1.40/ 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: $1.40
Lowest price $1.30
Highest price$2.00Who 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 $1.30): Floor price, typically for small loads.
  • Mid ($1.40): A fair deal for standard quantities.
  • High ($2.00+): 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 $0.66 to $2.99.
Mar '25Jun '25Sep '25Dec '25Today
Market response to COMEX pricing
Spread vs. exchange (180-day avg): ~75.3% (-$4.04/lb). Typical spread for this grade: 39%–68%
⚠️ Local prices haven’t caught up with the exchange yet
Market snapshot
Stable market. Prices have held steady over the past 6 months.
Pricing verified from 2 live board rates today.

Telecom & Data Wire price reference for Connecticut

Scrap yards in Connecticut don’t always update their prices in real time. To give you a reliable current value, we use the U.S. national average ($1.76/lb). The secondary metals market tracks exchange moves consistently across the country. Use this national figure as your benchmark when negotiating with local yards. Telecom & Data Wire prices across the U.S. →

Where to Sell Telecom & Data Wire in Connecticut

These are scrap yards in Connecticut that recently updated Telecom & Data Wire 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 32 days ago

Cable Management

Listed as: TELCO
290 Pratt St Get Directions
$1.36 / lb
Updated 32 days ago

Rubino Brothers Derby

Listed as: Cat 5/6
2 Factory St Get Directions
$1.30 / lb

Don’t see your scrap yard in Connecticut? 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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How Telecom Wire Stacks Up Against Other Insulated 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
#2 Insulated Wire Based on 1 scrap yards
Avg price:$2.53 / lb How to sort?
Mix it with Telecom & Data Wire?They’ll pay $1.40 for all of it
Loss if not sorted:-$1.13 per lb
Trend (6m): -13.1%
Price analytics
MCM & Industrial Cable Estimated U.S. prices
Avg price:$3.82 / lb
Trend (30d): -4.4%
Price analytics
THHN Wire Based on 2 scrap yards
Avg price:$3.36 / lb
Trend (6m): -0.8%
Price analytics
Romex® Wire Based on 2 scrap yards
Avg price:$2.28 / lb
Trend (30d): 0.0%
Price analytics
#1 Insulated Wire Based on 1 scrap yards
Avg price:$2.02 / lb
Trend (30d): 0.0%
Price analytics
Wire Harnesses Based on 1 scrap yards
Avg price:$1.58 / lb
Trend (6m): +3.6%
Price analytics
Coax & Heliax Cable Based on 1 scrap yards
Avg price:$1.35 / lb
Trend (6m): +2.2%
Price analytics
Jelly Wire Based on 1 scrap yards
Avg price:$1.30 / lb
Trend (30d): 0.0%
Price analytics
#3 Insulated Wire (Low Grade) Based on 1 scrap yards
Avg price:$1.01 / lb
Trend (30d): 0.0%
Price analytics
Computer Wire Estimated U.S. prices
Avg price:$0.43 / lb
Trend (30d): 0.0%
Price analytics
Armored Cable (BX) Based on 2 scrap yards
Avg price:$0.43 / lb
Trend (30d): 0.0%
Price analytics
Christmas Lights Based on 1 scrap yards
Avg price:$0.34 / lb
Trend (30d): 0.0%
Price analytics

Telecom & Data Wire Price Trends

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.

Telecom & Data Wire: Scrap Yard Price vs. World Market (COMEX)

Avg scrap yard price

$1.40
Scrap metal dealers
Spread: -$4.04/lb
vs. exchange

World market price (COMEX)

$5.3745
✓ 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.

Telecom & Data Wire: Spread vs. Exchange — Monthly History

Analyst take: This month’s average spread between scrap yard prices and the world market for Telecom & Data Wire is 75.3%. That’s in line with the typical range for this grade (72%–78%). 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)$5.767857$2.79-$2.98 (51.7%)
February 2026$5.880136$2.91-$2.97 (50.5%)
January 2026$5.894887$3.54-$2.36 (40%)
December 2025$5.497742$2.92-$2.58 (46.9%)
November 2025$5.064033$2.11-$2.96 (58.4%)
October 2025$5.050242$1.77-$3.28 (65%)
September 2025$4.662367$1.50-$3.16 (67.8%)
August 2025$4.477984$1.78-$2.70 (60.3%)
July 2025$5.482645$3.29-$2.19 (40%)
June 2025$4.883233$2.93-$1.95 (40%)
May 2025$4.686194$1.88-$2.80 (59.8%)
April 2025$4.654267$2.79-$1.86 (40%)
March 2025$4.919484$2.95-$1.97 (40%)
February 2025$4.558107$2.27-$2.28 (50.1%)
January 2025$4.269774$2.56-$1.71 (40%)
December 2024$4.157855$2.50-$1.66 (40%)
November 2024$4.199383$2.13-$2.07 (49.4%)
October 2024$4.431839$2.66-$1.77 (40%)
September 2024$4.292683$2.17-$2.12 (49.4%)
August 2024$4.121839$2.47-$1.65 (40%)
July 2024$4.375242$2.63-$1.75 (40%)
June 2024$4.491083$2.28-$2.21 (49.3%)
May 2024$4.75471$2.85-$1.90 (40%)
April 2024$4.363717$2.62-$1.74 (40%)
March 2024$3.983645$2.39-$1.59 (40%)
February 2024$3.801776$1.87-$1.93 (50.7%)
January 2024$3.811306$2.29-$1.52 (40%)
December 2023$3.871226$2.32-$1.55 (40%)
November 2023$3.720817$2.23-$1.49 (40%)
October 2023$3.609306$2.07-$1.54 (42.6%)
September 2023$3.759833$1.97-$1.79 (47.6%)
August 2023$3.776097$2.27-$1.51 (40%)
July 2023$3.8455$2.31-$1.54 (40%)
June 2023$3.804983$2.28-$1.52 (40%)
May 2023$3.751484$2.25-$1.50 (40%)
April 2023$4.007367$2.35-$1.66 (41.4%)
March 2023$4.02821$2.05-$1.98 (49.1%)
February 2023$4.06475$2.44-$1.63 (40%)
January 2023$4.115113$2.47-$1.65 (40%)
December 2022$3.820726$2.15-$1.67 (43.7%)
November 2022$3.674017$1.98-$1.70 (46.1%)
October 2022$3.430419$2.06-$1.37 (40%)
September 2022$3.455283$1.72-$1.73 (50.2%)
August 2022$3.616468$1.80-$1.82 (50.3%)
July 2022$3.4195$2.05-$1.37 (40%)
June 2022$4.118667$2.47-$1.65 (40%)
May 2022$4.257274$2.15-$2.11 (49.5%)
April 2022$4.649533$2.79-$1.86 (40%)
March 2022$4.707694$2.83-$1.88 (40%)
February 2022$4.502304$2.70-$1.80 (40%)
January 2022$4.4345$2.25-$2.18 (49.2%)
December 2021$4.332226$2.60-$1.73 (40%)
November 2021$4.367567$2.62-$1.75 (40%)
October 2021$4.432371$2.66-$1.77 (40%)
September 2021$4.2864$2.17-$2.11 (49.3%)
August 2021$4.302984$2.58-$1.72 (40%)
July 2021$4.347452$2.61-$1.74 (40%)
June 2021$4.388783$2.18-$2.21 (50.3%)
May 2021$4.618871$2.77-$1.85 (40%)
April 2021$4.192633$2.05-$2.14 (51.1%)
March 2021$4.084726$2.45-$1.63 (40%)
February 2021$3.861$2.32-$1.54 (40%)
January 2021$3.607435$1.85-$1.76 (48.8%)
December 2020$3.546903$2.13-$1.42 (40%)
November 2020$3.21755$1.93-$1.29 (40%)
October 2020$3.060177$1.55-$1.51 (49.4%)
September 2020$3.0352$1.82-$1.21 (40%)
August 2020$2.909726$1.47-$1.44 (49.6%)
July 2020$2.867581$1.72-$1.15 (40%)
June 2020$2.5983$1.56-$1.04 (40%)
May 2020$2.377403$1.43-$0.95 (40%)
April 2020$2.28595$1.37-$0.91 (40%)
March 2020$2.356968$1.41-$0.94 (40%)
February 2020$2.574707$1.54-$1.03 (40.1%)
January 2020$2.759935$1.66-$1.10 (40%)
December 2019$2.774145$1.67-$1.11 (39.9%)
November 2019$2.660717$1.60-$1.06 (40%)
October 2019$2.621613$1.31-$1.31 (49.9%)
September 2019$2.615533$1.57-$1.05 (40%)
August 2019$2.554917$1.45-$1.11 (43.3%)

Telecom & Data Wire 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)
2/17/2026$1.33 / lb+$0.06$1.30 - $1.36
12/6/2025$1.27 / lb+$0.07$1.27 - $1.27
11/20/2025$1.20 / lb+$0.10$1.20 - $1.20
11/5/2025$1.10 / lb-$0.18$1.10 - $1.10
10/28/2025$1.28 / lb+$0.18$1.28 - $1.28
10/11/2025$1.10 / lb-$0.12$1.10 - $1.10
10/2/2025$1.22 / lb+$0.09$1.22 - $1.22
9/18/2025$1.13 / lb+$0.34$1.13 - $1.13
9/10/2025$0.79 / lb+$0.08$0.79 - $0.79
8/29/2025$0.71 / lb+$0.05$0.71 - $0.71
8/23/2025$0.66 / lb-$0.26$0.66 - $0.66
5/28/2025$0.92 / lb-$0.21$0.92 - $0.92
5/17/2025$1.13 / lb-$0.03$1.13 - $1.13
2/13/2025$1.16 / lb+$0.08$1.16 - $1.16
11/13/2024$1.08 / lb+$0.10$1.08 - $1.08
9/14/2024$0.98 / lb-$0.15$0.98 - $0.98
6/19/2024$1.13 / lb+$0.28$1.13 - $1.13
2/26/2024$0.85 / lb+$0.07$0.85 - $0.85
10/2/2023$0.78 / lb-$0.05$0.78 - $0.78
4/1/2023$0.83 / lb-$0.01$0.83 - $0.83
12/3/2022$0.84 / lb+$0.15$0.84 - $0.84
9/30/2022$0.69 / lb-$0.05$0.69 - $0.69
8/14/2022$0.74 / lb-$0.27$0.74 - $0.74
5/26/2022$1.01 / lb-$0.10$1.01 - $1.01
1/25/2022$1.11 / lb+$0.07$1.11 - $1.11
9/23/2021$1.04 / lb+$0.15$1.04 - $1.04
6/20/2021$0.89 / lb-$0.25$0.89 - $0.89
4/21/2021$1.14 / lb+$0.05$1.14 - $1.14
4/19/2021$1.09 / lb+$0.15$1.09 - $1.09
1/22/2021$0.94 / lb+$0.18$0.94 - $0.94
10/24/2020$0.76 / lb+$0.15$0.76 - $0.76
8/14/2020$0.61 / lb+$0.04$0.61 - $0.61
10/22/2019$0.57 / lb+$0.03$0.57 - $0.57

Pulling Profit from the Walls: Scrapping Telecom & Data Wire

If you are pulling miles of Cat5, Cat6, or old telephone lines out of an office demo, you are sitting on a solid payday. Telecom and Data Wire is prized for its consistent, tightly twisted copper core. Because the insulation-to-copper ratio is usually better than generic household wire, yards are currently paying anywhere from $1.60 to $2.00 per pound based on the exact shielding and jacket thickness.

Sorting at the Scale: Don't Get Robbed on Recovery Rates

Sorting is everything in the scrap game. Telecom wire usually has a high copper recovery rate—often around 50% to 60%. If you get lazy and throw your premium Cat6 into a bin of generic #2 Insulated Wire, you are practically handing the yard your hard-earned cash. That simple sorting mistake costs you roughly $0.11 per pound right at the scale. Always keep your data lines separate from standard wall outlets or appliance cords.

Yard Pro Tip: Watch out for shielded twisted pair (STP) data cables and coax lines mixed in with your standard Cat5/Cat6 network wire. That aluminum foil shielding or steel core in coax will tank your recovery rate at the yard. Check the ends for a shiny foil layer or heavy plastic dividers, and keep the pure copper Ethernet separated from the shielded stuff to demand the highest telecom rate.

Knowing Your Wire Grades

For context, it is crucial to understand where data wire fits in the grand scheme of copper recovery. Thick, single-strand #1 Insulated Wire commands $2.40 to $3.90/lb due to its massive copper yield. Your standard #2 Insulated Wire sits around $1.50 to $2.34/lb, while junk cables like #3 Insulated Wire (Low Grade) barely pull $0.60 to $1.20/lb. Telecom wire hits that sweet spot of high volume and decent copper yield, especially when doing commercial IT demo in in Connecticut.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it worth stripping telecom and data wire?

Generally, no. The individual copper strands inside Cat5 or Cat6 are hair-thin (typically 23 or 24 AWG). Running this through a standard wire stripper is a nightmare, practically impossible, and a massive waste of time. You are better off selling it as-is for the current $1.76 average rate.

How do yards determine the price for data wire?

It all comes down to the copper recovery percentage. Buyers look at the COMEX copper spot price and calculate how much clean copper they can extract after chopping and separating the plastic jackets. They typically pay about 75.3% below the spot price to cover their processing and shipping costs.

Does leaving the RJ45 connectors on lower the price?

Yes, depending on the yard's strictness. Those plastic and brass plugs add dead weight and lower the overall copper percentage of the bin. If you have hundreds of pounds of wire, taking a pair of loppers and snipping the ends off can bump you from the $1.60 floor closer to premium pricing.