Average Aluminum 6061 Structural Price

180-day market: price lists from 2 yards. As of 2/17/2026.
$0.30/ lb -$0.45 (10.8%)
GT = Gross Ton (2240 lbs)
Avg: $0.30
Lowest price $0.30
Highest price$0.30Who pays the most? ⟶
How to read a yard's offer
  • Low (up to $0.30): Floor price, typically for small loads.
  • Mid ($0.30): A fair deal for standard quantities.
  • High ($0.30+): 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 $0.62.
Mar '25Jun '25Sep '25Dec '25Today
Market response to LME pricing
Spread vs. exchange (180-day avg): ~69.7% (-$0.69/lb). Typical spread for this grade: 35%–51%
⚠️ 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 (out of 3 local buyers tracked).

Top Scrap Yards Buying Aluminum 6061 in South Carolina

Don't just dump your 6061 at the first scale you see. Buyers in South Carolina will offer different rates based on your total tonnage and how clean the load is. The national average currently sits around $0.77 per pound, but a quick phone call to the local yards below can help you secure the absolute best payout before you load your truck.

💼 Scrap yard owners: Post your buy prices and get more customers
By price
By date
Updated 32 days ago

CMC Recycling

Listed as: 6061 Alum (no plate/sheet)
428 N Gossett St Get Directions
$0.30 / lb
Updated 32 days ago

CMC Recycling

Listed as: 6061 Alum (no plate/sheet)
2061 Nazareth Church Rd Get Directions
$0.30 / lb
Updated 301 days ago

CMC Recycling

Listed as: 6061 Alum (no plate/sheet)
1148 Shop Rd, Columbia, SC 29201 Get Directions
$0.59 / lb

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How 6061 Structural Compares to Other Aluminum 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.

Aluminum BX Estimated U.S. prices
Avg price:$1.98 / lb
Trend (30d): +25.1%
Price analytics
Aluminum 5052 (Plate) Estimated U.S. prices
Avg price:$1.28 / lb
Trend (30d): 0.0%
Price analytics
Aluminum Wire (EC / Clean) Estimated U.S. prices
Avg price:$1.18 / lb
Trend (30d): +20.4%
Price analytics
Painted Aluminum Extrusion Estimated U.S. prices
Avg price:$1.04 / lb
Trend (6m): -1.2%
Price analytics
Lithographic Plates (Litho) Estimated U.S. prices
Avg price:$1.03 / lb
Trend (6m): +23.4%
Price analytics
Dirty & Irony Aluminum Wheels Estimated U.S. prices
Avg price:$0.81 / lb
Trend (6m): 0.4%
Price analytics
Clean Aluminum Auto Wheels (Alloy 356) Based on 4 scrap yards
Avg price:$0.73 / lb
Trend (30d): 0.0%
Price analytics
Clean Truck & Semi Wheels (Alloy 6061) Estimated U.S. prices
Avg price:$0.71 / lb
Trend (6m): -7.9%
Price analytics
Chrome Plated Aluminum Wheels Estimated U.S. prices
Avg price:$0.66 / lb
Trend (6m): -12.4%
Price analytics
Aluminum 6063 Extrusion (Clean) Based on 4 scrap yards
Avg price:$0.63 / lb
Trend (30d): 0.0%
Price analytics
Aluminum Wire (Insulated / ACSR) Estimated U.S. prices
Avg price:$0.61 / lb
Trend (30d): -6.9%
Price analytics
Thermal Break Aluminum Estimated U.S. prices
Avg price:$0.60 / lb
Trend (6m): +1.1%
Price analytics
Aluminum Cans (UBC) Based on 4 scrap yards
Avg price:$0.44 / lb
Trend (30d): 0.0%
Price analytics
Aluminum Clips & MLC Based on 5 scrap yards
Avg price:$0.40 / lb
Trend (30d): 0.0%
Price analytics
Aluminum Siding & Gutters Based on 4 scrap yards
Avg price:$0.39 / lb
Trend (30d): 0.0%
Price analytics
Painted & Old Sheet Aluminum Based on 1 scrap yards
Avg price:$0.35 / lb
Trend (30d): 0.0%
Price analytics
Clean Aluminum Sheet Based on 5 scrap yards
Avg price:$0.34 / lb
Trend (30d): 0.0%
Price analytics
Dirty Aluminum Extrusion Based on 1 scrap yards
Avg price:$0.32 / lb
Trend (30d): 0.0%
Price analytics
Cast Aluminum Based on 5 scrap yards
Avg price:$0.31 / lb
Trend (30d): 0.0%
Price analytics
Aluminum Turnings Estimated U.S. prices
Avg price:$0.26 / lb
Trend (6m): -38.8%
Price analytics
Irony & Breakage Aluminum Based on 3 scrap yards
Avg price:$0.21 / lb
Trend (30d): 0.0%
Price analytics
Aluminum Foil & Light Gauge Estimated U.S. prices
Avg price:$0.10 / lb
Trend (30d): 0.0%
Price analytics

Aluminum 6061 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.

Aluminum 6061 Structural: Scrap Yard Price vs. World Market (LME)

Avg scrap yard price

$0.30
Scrap metal dealers
Spread: -$0.69/lb
vs. exchange

World market price (LME)

$0.9916
✓ For 99.9% pure refined metal
💡 Why is the scrap yard price lower than the exchange? The LME price is the global benchmark for 99.99% pure refined metal traded in large institutional contracts. The gap between LME and what you pocket is the yard’s margin — it covers sorting, cleaning, transport to the mill, and protects them against sudden price drops.

Aluminum 6061 Structural: Spread vs. Exchange — Monthly History

Analyst take: This month’s average spread between scrap yard prices and the world market for Aluminum 6061 Structural is 69.7%. That’s in line with the typical range for this grade (67%–73%). 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)$1.096662$0.55-$0.55 (49.8%)
February 2026$1.2032$0.60-$0.61 (50.4%)
January 2026$1.051423$0.63-$0.42 (40%)
December 2025$0.982942$0.59-$0.39 (40.1%)
November 2025$0.930043$0.56-$0.37 (39.9%)
October 2025$0.887584$0.53-$0.35 (39.9%)
September 2025$0.86119$0.52-$0.34 (40%)
August 2025$0.866703$0.52-$0.35 (40%)
July 2025$0.837774$0.50-$0.33 (40%)
June 2025$0.802343$0.44-$0.36 (45.4%)
May 2025$0.807171$0.51-$0.30 (36.8%)
April 2025$0.744003$0.45-$0.30 (39.9%)
March 2025$0.878574$0.53-$0.35 (40.2%)
February 2025$0.893382$0.54-$0.36 (40.1%)
January 2025$0.812942$0.49-$0.33 (40%)
December 2024$0.805026$0.48-$0.32 (40.1%)
November 2024$0.80919$0.49-$0.32 (39.9%)
October 2024$0.84811$0.51-$0.34 (40.1%)
September 2024$0.84145$0.51-$0.34 (40%)
August 2024$0.838665$0.50-$0.34 (40.1%)
July 2024$0.905877$0.54-$0.36 (40.1%)
June 2024$0.957757$0.57-$0.38 (40.1%)
May 2024$0.995197$0.60-$0.40 (40.2%)
April 2024$0.9588$0.58-$0.38 (40%)
March 2024$0.916803$0.55-$0.37 (39.9%)
February 2024$0.908876$0.54-$0.37 (40.7%)
January 2024$0.981155$0.59-$0.39 (39.8%)
December 2023$0.992781$0.60-$0.40 (40%)
November 2023$0.936113$0.56-$0.37 (40%)
October 2023$0.91751$0.59-$0.33 (35.6%)
September 2023$0.946997$0.54-$0.41 (43.2%)
August 2023$0.930013$0.56-$0.37 (40.1%)
July 2023$0.934068$0.56-$0.37 (39.9%)
June 2023$0.944237$0.57-$0.38 (40.1%)
May 2023$0.9455$0.57-$0.38 (40.1%)
April 2023$0.971563$0.58-$0.39 (40.1%)
March 2023$1.031729$0.60-$0.43 (41.7%)
February 2023$1.081664$0.65-$0.43 (40.1%)
January 2023$1.063787$0.64-$0.42 (39.9%)
December 2022$1.03949$0.62-$0.42 (40%)
November 2022$1.026153$0.62-$0.41 (40%)
October 2022$0.962755$0.58-$0.39 (40.1%)
September 2022$0.9553$0.57-$0.38 (39.9%)
August 2022$1.002665$0.54-$0.46 (46.3%)
July 2022$0.932735$0.56-$0.37 (40%)
June 2022$1.03653$0.62-$0.41 (40%)
May 2022$1.104181$0.66-$0.44 (40.2%)
April 2022$1.12712$0.68-$0.45 (40%)
March 2022$1.070248$0.64-$0.43 (40.1%)
February 2022$1.12205$0.67-$0.45 (40%)
January 2022$1.156365$0.59-$0.57 (49.1%)
December 2021$1.092839$0.62-$0.48 (43.5%)
November 2021$1.072407$0.64-$0.43 (40%)
October 2021$1.051368$0.63-$0.42 (39.9%)
September 2021$1.110613$0.58-$0.53 (47.9%)
August 2021$1.181813$0.71-$0.47 (39.9%)
July 2021$1.106519$0.66-$0.44 (40%)
June 2021$1.065053$0.64-$0.43 (40.1%)
May 2021$1.079274$0.65-$0.43 (39.9%)
April 2021$1.063943$0.55-$0.51 (48.3%)
March 2021$1.038232$0.62-$0.41 (39.9%)
February 2021$0.997864$0.60-$0.39 (39.4%)
January 2021$0.975019$0.57-$0.41 (41.5%)

Aluminum 6061 Structural 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$0.30 / lb-$0.02$0.30 - $0.30
6/30/2025$0.32 / lb-$0.27$0.32 - $0.32
5/24/2025$0.59 / lb+$0.09$0.59 - $0.59
3/28/2025$0.50 / lb-$0.02$0.50 - $0.50
2/29/2024$0.52 / lb-$0.18$0.52 - $0.52
10/31/2023$0.70 / lb+$0.25$0.70 - $0.70
9/30/2023$0.45 / lb-$0.07$0.45 - $0.45
3/25/2023$0.52 / lb+$0.17$0.52 - $0.52
8/12/2022$0.35 / lb-$0.29$0.35 - $0.35
5/20/2022$0.64 / lb+$0.04$0.40 - $0.87
1/29/2022$0.60 / lb+$0.25$0.35 - $0.84
1/8/2022$0.35 / lb-$0.17$0.35 - $0.35
12/31/2021$0.52 / lb+$0.21$0.52 - $0.52
9/25/2021$0.31 / lb-$0.55$0.31 - $0.31
4/22/2021$0.86 / lb+$0.58$0.86 - $0.86
4/21/2021$0.28 / lb-$0.35$0.28 - $0.28
2/26/2021$0.63 / lb+$0.28$0.63 - $0.63

Maximizing Your Payout on Aluminum 6061 Structural

When you roll up to the yard with Aluminum 6061 Structural, you are hauling one of the most reliable money-makers in the non-ferrous game. Used heavily in construction, staging, bleachers, and marine applications, this alloy is prized by mills for its strength and workability. Nationwide, our data shows clean 6061 pulling anywhere from $0.72 to $0.87 per pound, depending on broader market conditions and the appetite of your local buyers in South Carolina. But securing that top-tier pricing means you need to prep the material exactly how the scale master expects to see it.

Recognizing 6061 on the Job Site

You will typically find 6061 in the form of thick plates, heavy angles, I-beams, and large diameter tubing. It is noticeably harder and more rigid than standard Aluminum 3003 sheet scrap and will not bend easily under pressure. If you are tearing down old scaffolding, heavy boat trailers, or structural framing, there is a very good chance you are handling 6061.

Mistakes That Crush Your Scale Ticket

The absolute fastest way to lose money at the scrap yard is poor preparation. If you leave heavy zinc bolts, steel plates, or iron rivets attached to your structural aluminum pieces, the buyer has no choice but to downgrade the entire load to 'irony aluminum' or breakage. That cuts your payout drastically.

Yard Pro Tip: When scrapping 6061 structural beams or thick angles, always run a strong magnet over every connection point. Steel bolts, hidden rivets, or reinforced heli-coil inserts left in the aluminum will instantly downgrade your load. Cut those structural joints off completely with a sawzall or torch to secure the clean, bare structural price.

The Scrapper's Guide to Prep and Sorting

Separation is where the real money is made. Never mix your heavy 6061 with lower-grade material. If you get lazy and toss your heavy structural pieces into a bin with Aluminum Foil & Light Gauge, you are taking a massive hit. Our data shows a potential loss of $0.67 per pound just for failing to keep them separate. You also need to keep it distinct from Aluminum 6063 Extrusion (Clean), as yards often price these two premium alloys differently depending on their downstream mill buyers.

  • Clean 6061: Bare, unpainted metal free of dirt, oil, steel fasteners, and plastic. Expect prices to hover near $0.87.
  • Painted/Anodized: Many yards will pay less for painted or heavily anodized 6061, pushing your price closer to $0.72 due to the extra refining required.
  • Mixed Loads: If your load contains 6061 mixed with $1.20 to $1.32/lb, the yard will almost always pay you the rate of the cheapest metal in the pile. Sort it out.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the current average price for 6061 structural aluminum?

Nationally, scrap yards are paying an average of $0.77 per pound. This benchmark fluctuates heavily based on the LME market, usually tracking about 69.7% below the spot price depending on yard margins.

Do I need to strip the paint off 6061 to get the best price?

Ideally, yes, or at least separate the painted pieces from the bare ones. Painted structural aluminum is treated as a separate, lower-tier grade by many buyers and pays less than perfectly clean, bare metal. Always ask your yard how they grade painted material before you dump.

Can I mix 6061 structural with 6063 extrusions?

It is not recommended. While both are high-value alloys, 6063 extrusions generally have a different chemical composition and often command a different rate at the scale. Sorting them into separate gaylord boxes guarantees you get the maximum value for each specific grade.