Current Prices for Scrap Water Meters in New Jersey
Water Meters are currently hitting an average of $3.77 per pound in New Jersey. Check the latest yard payouts below before you haul your heavy brass down to the scale.
Average Water Meters Price
- Low (up to $3.80): Floor price, typically for small loads.
- Mid ($3.80): A fair deal for standard quantities.
- High ($3.80+): Top-dollar rate. Offered for large commercial loads or by the most competitive buyers.
Pricing verified from 3 live board rates today.
Top Scrap Yards Buying Water Meters New Jersey
Don't let your heavy red brass get downgraded because of a plastic faceplate or trapped water. Compare the going rates from these local buyers in New Jersey, make sure your meters are drained and prepped, and always call ahead to lock in their prices.
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🚀 List your scrap yard ⟶Water Meters vs. Other Brass 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.
Water Meters Historical 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.
Water Meters: Scrap Yard Price vs. World Market (COMEX)
Avg scrap yard price
World market price (COMEX)
Water Meters: Spread vs. Exchange — Monthly History
| Period | World price (per lb) | Scrap yard price (per lb) | Spread vs. exchange |
|---|---|---|---|
| March 2026 (current) | $5.764324 | $3.98 | -$1.78 (31%) |
| February 2026 | $5.880136 | $4.06 | -$1.82 (31%) |
| January 2026 | $5.894887 | $4.23 | -$1.67 (28.3%) |
| December 2025 | $5.497742 | $3.85 | -$1.64 (29.9%) |
| November 2025 | $5.064033 | $3.33 | -$1.73 (34.2%) |
| October 2025 | $5.050242 | $3.30 | -$1.75 (34.6%) |
| September 2025 | $4.662367 | $3.16 | -$1.50 (32.2%) |
| August 2025 | $4.477984 | $2.92 | -$1.55 (34.7%) |
| July 2025 | $5.482645 | $3.56 | -$1.92 (35.1%) |
| June 2025 | $4.883233 | $3.14 | -$1.74 (35.7%) |
| May 2025 | $4.686194 | $3.07 | -$1.62 (34.5%) |
| April 2025 | $4.654267 | $2.92 | -$1.73 (37.2%) |
| March 2025 | $4.919484 | $3.23 | -$1.69 (34.3%) |
| February 2025 | $4.558107 | $2.98 | -$1.58 (34.7%) |
| January 2025 | $4.269774 | $2.55 | -$1.72 (40.2%) |
| December 2024 | $4.157855 | $2.70 | -$1.45 (35%) |
| November 2024 | $4.199383 | $2.52 | -$1.68 (39.9%) |
| October 2024 | $4.431839 | $3.03 | -$1.41 (31.7%) |
| September 2024 | $4.292683 | $2.77 | -$1.52 (35.4%) |
| August 2024 | $4.121839 | $2.73 | -$1.39 (33.8%) |
| July 2024 | $4.375242 | $2.89 | -$1.49 (34%) |
| June 2024 | $4.491083 | $2.81 | -$1.68 (37.5%) |
| May 2024 | $4.75471 | $3.15 | -$1.61 (33.8%) |
| April 2024 | $4.363717 | $3.13 | -$1.24 (28.3%) |
| March 2024 | $3.983645 | $2.86 | -$1.13 (28.3%) |
| February 2024 | $3.801776 | $2.53 | -$1.28 (33.6%) |
| January 2024 | $3.811306 | $2.73 | -$1.08 (28.3%) |
| December 2023 | $3.871226 | $2.70 | -$1.17 (30.2%) |
| November 2023 | $3.720817 | $2.64 | -$1.08 (29.1%) |
| October 2023 | $3.609306 | $2.59 | -$1.02 (28.3%) |
| September 2023 | $3.759833 | $2.63 | -$1.13 (30%) |
| August 2023 | $3.776097 | $2.71 | -$1.07 (28.3%) |
| July 2023 | $3.8455 | $2.76 | -$1.09 (28.3%) |
| June 2023 | $3.804983 | $2.73 | -$1.08 (28.3%) |
| May 2023 | $3.751484 | $2.69 | -$1.06 (28.3%) |
| April 2023 | $4.007367 | $2.87 | -$1.13 (28.3%) |
| March 2023 | $4.02821 | $2.74 | -$1.29 (32%) |
| February 2023 | $4.06475 | $2.91 | -$1.15 (28.3%) |
| January 2023 | $4.115113 | $2.95 | -$1.17 (28.3%) |
| December 2022 | $3.820726 | $2.74 | -$1.08 (28.3%) |
| November 2022 | $3.674017 | $2.56 | -$1.12 (30.4%) |
| October 2022 | $3.430419 | $2.46 | -$0.97 (28.3%) |
| September 2022 | $3.455283 | $2.48 | -$0.98 (28.3%) |
| August 2022 | $3.616468 | $2.52 | -$1.09 (30.3%) |
| July 2022 | $3.4195 | $2.48 | -$0.94 (27.4%) |
| June 2022 | $4.118667 | $2.95 | -$1.16 (28.3%) |
| May 2022 | $4.257274 | $2.86 | -$1.39 (32.7%) |
| April 2022 | $4.649533 | $3.22 | -$1.43 (30.8%) |
| March 2022 | $4.707694 | $3.25 | -$1.45 (30.9%) |
| February 2022 | $4.502304 | $3.23 | -$1.27 (28.3%) |
| January 2022 | $4.4345 | $3.08 | -$1.35 (30.5%) |
| December 2021 | $4.332226 | $3.07 | -$1.26 (29.1%) |
| November 2021 | $4.367567 | $3.09 | -$1.28 (29.2%) |
| October 2021 | $4.432371 | $3.18 | -$1.25 (28.3%) |
| September 2021 | $4.2864 | $3.07 | -$1.21 (28.3%) |
| August 2021 | $4.302984 | $2.97 | -$1.33 (30.9%) |
| July 2021 | $4.347452 | $3.12 | -$1.23 (28.3%) |
| June 2021 | $4.388783 | $3.15 | -$1.24 (28.3%) |
| May 2021 | $4.618871 | $3.31 | -$1.31 (28.3%) |
| April 2021 | $4.192633 | $3.01 | -$1.19 (28.3%) |
| March 2021 | $4.084726 | $2.93 | -$1.16 (28.3%) |
| February 2021 | $3.861 | $2.77 | -$1.09 (28.3%) |
| January 2021 | $3.607435 | $2.40 | -$1.20 (33.4%) |
| December 2020 | $3.546903 | $2.54 | -$1.01 (28.3%) |
| November 2020 | $3.21755 | $2.31 | -$0.91 (28.3%) |
| October 2020 | $3.060177 | $1.97 | -$1.09 (35.7%) |
| September 2020 | $3.0352 | $2.18 | -$0.86 (28.3%) |
| August 2020 | $2.909726 | $2.09 | -$0.82 (28.3%) |
| July 2020 | $2.867581 | $2.06 | -$0.81 (28.3%) |
| June 2020 | $2.5983 | $1.86 | -$0.74 (28.3%) |
| May 2020 | $2.377403 | $1.70 | -$0.67 (28.3%) |
| April 2020 | $2.28595 | $1.64 | -$0.65 (28.3%) |
| March 2020 | $2.356968 | $1.69 | -$0.67 (28.3%) |
| February 2020 | $2.574707 | $1.85 | -$0.73 (28.3%) |
| January 2020 | $2.759935 | $1.98 | -$0.78 (28.3%) |
| December 2019 | $2.774145 | $1.99 | -$0.79 (28.3%) |
| November 2019 | $2.660717 | $1.91 | -$0.75 (28.3%) |
| October 2019 | $2.621613 | $1.88 | -$0.74 (28.3%) |
| September 2019 | $2.615533 | $1.74 | -$0.88 (33.5%) |
| August 2019 | $2.576597 | $1.85 | -$0.73 (28.3%) |
| July 2019 | $2.693468 | $1.93 | -$0.76 (28.3%) |
| June 2019 | $2.671833 | $1.92 | -$0.76 (28.3%) |
| May 2019 | $2.7395 | $1.96 | -$0.78 (28.3%) |
| April 2019 | $2.914283 | $2.09 | -$0.83 (28.3%) |
| March 2019 | $2.902032 | $2.08 | -$0.82 (28.3%) |
| February 2019 | $2.845929 | $2.04 | -$0.81 (28.3%) |
| January 2019 | $2.675468 | $1.92 | -$0.76 (28.3%) |
| December 2018 | $2.724823 | $1.95 | -$0.77 (28.3%) |
| November 2018 | $2.7578 | $1.98 | -$0.78 (28.3%) |
| October 2018 | $2.768435 | $1.98 | -$0.78 (28.3%) |
| September 2018 | $2.712817 | $1.94 | -$0.77 (28.3%) |
| August 2018 | $2.706081 | $1.85 | -$0.86 (31.7%) |
| July 2018 | $2.807597 | $1.98 | -$0.83 (29.5%) |
| June 2018 | $3.1238 | $2.24 | -$0.88 (28.3%) |
| May 2018 | $3.080177 | $2.21 | -$0.87 (28.3%) |
| April 2018 | $3.08635 | $2.21 | -$0.87 (28.3%) |
| March 2018 | $3.080758 | $2.21 | -$0.87 (28.3%) |
| February 2018 | $3.17875 | $2.28 | -$0.90 (28.3%) |
| January 2018 | $3.215161 | $2.31 | -$0.91 (28.3%) |
| December 2017 | $3.134855 | $2.25 | -$0.89 (28.3%) |
| November 2017 | $3.105817 | $2.23 | -$0.88 (28.3%) |
| October 2017 | $3.103887 | $2.23 | -$0.88 (28.3%) |
| September 2017 | $3.00865 | $2.16 | -$0.85 (28.3%) |
| August 2017 | $2.957097 | $2.12 | -$0.84 (28.3%) |
| July 2017 | $2.732484 | $1.96 | -$0.77 (28.3%) |
| June 2017 | $2.605467 | $1.87 | -$0.74 (28.3%) |
| May 2017 | $2.556677 | $1.83 | -$0.72 (28.3%) |
| April 2017 | $2.595367 | $1.86 | -$0.74 (28.3%) |
| March 2017 | $2.653452 | $1.90 | -$0.75 (28.3%) |
| February 2017 | $2.69925 | $1.94 | -$0.76 (28.3%) |
| January 2017 | $2.622903 | $1.88 | -$0.74 (28.3%) |
| December 2016 | $2.567774 | $1.84 | -$0.73 (28.3%) |
| November 2016 | $2.478267 | $1.78 | -$0.70 (28.3%) |
| October 2016 | $2.148903 | $1.54 | -$0.61 (28.3%) |
| September 2016 | $2.139533 | $1.54 | -$0.60 (28.3%) |
| August 2016 | $2.14129 | $1.54 | -$0.61 (28.3%) |
| July 2016 | $2.210419 | $1.58 | -$0.63 (28.3%) |
| June 2016 | $2.093733 | $1.49 | -$0.61 (28.9%) |
Water Meters 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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3/4/2026 | $3.80 / lb | -$0.08 | $3.80 - $3.80 |
| 2/17/2026 | $3.88 / lb | +$0.58 | $3.88 - $3.88 |
| 12/5/2025 | $3.30 / lb | +$0.05 | $3.30 - $3.30 |
| 11/23/2025 | $3.25 / lb | +$0.03 | $3.25 - $3.25 |
| 11/20/2025 | $3.22 / lb | +$0.07 | $3.22 - $3.22 |
| 11/11/2025 | $3.15 / lb | — no change | $3.15 - $3.15 |
| 10/24/2025 | $3.15 / lb | +$0.05 | $3.15 - $3.15 |
| 10/16/2025 | $3.10 / lb | -$0.05 | $3.10 - $3.10 |
| 10/11/2025 | $3.15 / lb | +$1.65 | $3.15 - $3.15 |
| 9/7/2025 | $1.50 / lb | -$1.40 | $1.50 - $1.50 |
| 9/5/2025 | $2.90 / lb | +$0.21 | $2.90 - $2.90 |
| 8/24/2025 | $2.69 / lb | +$0.39 | $2.69 - $2.69 |
| 8/23/2025 | $2.30 / lb | -$0.39 | $2.30 - $2.30 |
| 7/15/2025 | $2.69 / lb | +$0.05 | $2.69 - $2.69 |
| 7/1/2025 | $2.64 / lb | — no change | $2.64 - $2.64 |
| 6/26/2025 | $2.64 / lb | +$0.10 | $2.64 - $2.64 |
| 5/30/2025 | $2.54 / lb | +$0.05 | $2.54 - $2.54 |
| 5/28/2025 | $2.49 / lb | +$0.12 | $2.49 - $2.49 |
| 4/21/2025 | $2.37 / lb | +$0.12 | $2.37 - $2.37 |
| 4/20/2025 | $2.25 / lb | -$0.12 | $2.25 - $2.25 |
| 4/16/2025 | $2.37 / lb | +$0.07 | $2.37 - $2.37 |
| 3/15/2025 | $2.30 / lb | -$0.31 | $2.30 - $2.30 |
| 2/12/2025 | $2.61 / lb | +$0.14 | $2.61 - $2.61 |
| 2/6/2025 | $2.47 / lb | -$0.06 | $2.47 - $2.47 |
| 2/1/2025 | $2.53 / lb | -$0.10 | $2.53 - $2.53 |
| 1/19/2025 | $2.63 / lb | — no change | $2.63 - $2.63 |
| 1/16/2025 | $2.63 / lb | +$0.54 | $2.63 - $2.63 |
| 1/9/2025 | $2.09 / lb | — no change | $2.09 - $2.09 |
| 12/20/2024 | $2.09 / lb | -$0.05 | $2.09 - $2.09 |
| 12/18/2024 | $2.14 / lb | -$0.10 | $2.14 - $2.14 |
| 11/23/2024 | $2.24 / lb | -$0.05 | $2.24 - $2.24 |
| 11/14/2024 | $2.29 / lb | -$0.10 | $2.29 - $2.29 |
| 11/13/2024 | $2.39 / lb | -$0.10 | $2.39 - $2.39 |
| 11/8/2024 | $2.49 / lb | -$0.10 | $2.49 - $2.49 |
| 10/16/2024 | $2.59 / lb | -$0.15 | $2.59 - $2.59 |
| 9/26/2024 | $2.74 / lb | +$0.12 | $2.74 - $2.74 |
| 9/19/2024 | $2.62 / lb | -$0.07 | $2.62 - $2.62 |
| 9/13/2024 | $2.69 / lb | +$0.02 | $2.69 - $2.69 |
| 9/4/2024 | $2.67 / lb | -$0.06 | $2.67 - $2.67 |
| 8/29/2024 | $2.73 / lb | -$0.05 | $2.73 - $2.73 |
| 8/27/2024 | $2.78 / lb | +$0.04 | $2.78 - $2.78 |
| 8/21/2024 | $2.74 / lb | +$0.02 | $2.74 - $2.74 |
| 8/15/2024 | $2.72 / lb | +$0.06 | $2.72 - $2.72 |
| 8/6/2024 | $2.66 / lb | -$0.10 | $2.66 - $2.66 |
| 8/1/2024 | $2.76 / lb | +$0.16 | $2.76 - $2.76 |
| 7/19/2024 | $2.60 / lb | -$0.10 | $2.60 - $2.60 |
| 7/16/2024 | $2.70 / lb | -$0.10 | $2.70 - $2.70 |
| 7/14/2024 | $2.80 / lb | -$0.06 | $2.80 - $2.80 |
| 6/30/2024 | $2.86 / lb | +$0.56 | $2.86 - $2.86 |
| 6/25/2024 | $2.30 / lb | -$0.52 | $2.30 - $2.30 |
| 6/21/2024 | $2.82 / lb | -$0.03 | $2.82 - $2.82 |
| 6/18/2024 | $2.85 / lb | — no change | $2.85 - $2.85 |
| 6/11/2024 | $2.85 / lb | -$0.05 | $2.85 - $2.85 |
| 6/1/2024 | $2.90 / lb | +$0.01 | $2.90 - $2.90 |
| 5/25/2024 | $2.89 / lb | +$0.84 | $2.89 - $2.89 |
| 2/25/2024 | $2.05 / lb | -$0.41 | $2.05 - $2.05 |
| 12/16/2023 | $2.46 / lb | -$0.05 | $2.46 - $2.46 |
| 11/17/2023 | $2.51 / lb | +$0.10 | $2.51 - $2.51 |
| 9/30/2023 | $2.41 / lb | +$0.16 | $2.41 - $2.41 |
| 3/19/2023 | $2.25 / lb | -$0.05 | $2.25 - $2.25 |
| 11/27/2022 | $2.30 / lb | -$0.01 | $2.30 - $2.30 |
| 8/12/2022 | $2.31 / lb | -$0.39 | $2.31 - $2.31 |
| 7/6/2022 | $2.70 / lb | +$0.05 | $2.70 - $2.70 |
| 5/23/2022 | $2.65 / lb | -$0.03 | $2.65 - $2.65 |
| 5/14/2022 | $2.68 / lb | -$0.27 | $2.68 - $2.68 |
| 4/16/2022 | $2.95 / lb | +$0.10 | $2.95 - $2.95 |
| 3/19/2022 | $2.85 / lb | +$0.05 | $2.85 - $2.85 |
| 1/12/2022 | $2.80 / lb | +$0.01 | $2.80 - $2.80 |
| 12/4/2021 | $2.79 / lb | +$0.24 | $2.79 - $2.79 |
| 8/23/2021 | $2.55 / lb | +$0.65 | $2.55 - $2.55 |
| 1/26/2021 | $1.90 / lb | +$0.55 | $1.90 - $1.90 |
| 10/29/2020 | $1.35 / lb | -$0.05 | $1.35 - $1.35 |
| 9/16/2019 | $1.40 / lb | -$0.10 | $1.40 - $1.40 |
| 8/6/2018 | $1.50 / lb | +$0.40 | $1.50 - $1.50 |
Cash In on the Heavy Brass: Scrapping Water Meters
If you're pulling old utilities or doing major plumbing retrofits in New Jersey, those heavy Water Meters are a goldmine. Most older meters are cast out of high-quality red brass or semi-red brass, making them dense and highly sought after by local buyers. Right now, our data shows national payouts ranging from $3.70 on the dirty end up to $3.80 for fully prepped units, with the current average sitting at $3.77 per pound. But don't just toss them in your truck as-is—yards are notorious for docking heavy weight deductions if you leave them dirty or full of trapped water.
Yard Pro Tip: Water meters are basically heavy brass shells, but yards will hammer you on the price for two things: trapped water and the plastic/glass faceplates. Always tilt and drain every single meter completely before weighing in. Then, take a hammer and smash out the plastic face and gear assembly. If your meter has a cast iron frost plate on the bottom, unbolt it or smash it off. Leaving the iron plate on turns a premium brass payout into a cheap irony brass ticket.
The Teardown: Don't Lose Money at the Scale
Scrap yards make their margin on the lazy peddler. If you walk in with a bucket of whole, unprepared water meters that still have iron bottom plates and plastic dials attached, the scale master is going to downgrade the entire load. Selling them as Irony Brass instead of clean Water Meters is a brutal mistake that will cost you roughly $2.66 per pound in lost profit.
Keep your sorted meters completely separate from other brass grades. Buyers price these differently than your standard yellow brass plumbing fixtures, and they definitely shouldn't be mixed with lower-tier scrap like Brass Breakage or specialized loads like Brass EDM Wire or Brass Shells. For context, those other grades track independently, with some hovering around the $1.25 to $1.35/lb range.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do buyers deduct weight when I scrap water meters?
Because they hold water! If you bring in ten meters straight from a demolition site and haven't drained them, that internal water adds up to false weight. Yards know this and will either deduct a flat percentage of your total weight or downgrade your price per pound to compensate.
Can I sell plastic water meters?
Many modern residential meters are now made from high-density plastics with only tiny metal internal sensors. Those have virtually no scrap value and are essentially trash. We are only tracking prices for the vintage, heavy brass or bronze-cast units.
How are local meter prices calculated?
Your local yard bases their payouts on the broader copper and brass markets traded on the COMEX. Typically, buyers will offer about 28.3% below the spot price to cover their freight, labor, and the melting process at the refinery.