Current Prices for Scrap Aluminum & Dirty Motors in the US
Find the current scrap prices for Aluminum & Dirty Motors in the US. Local yards are paying between $0.10 and $0.22 per pound depending on the motor size, copper content, and shredding requirements.
Average Aluminum & Dirty Motors Price
- Low (up to $0.09): Floor price, typically for small loads.
- Mid ($0.15): A fair deal for standard quantities.
- High ($0.22+): Top-dollar rate. Offered for large commercial loads or by the most competitive buyers.
Pricing verified from 8 live board rates today.
Top Paying Scrap Yards for Aluminum & Dirty Motors US
Don't leave money on the table when offloading heavy breakage in the US. Yard payouts for Aluminum & Dirty Motors vary wildly based on their shredder capabilities and downstream buyers, so compare local quotes against the national average of $0.17 per pound. Always call ahead to confirm their current grading rules for fluid-filled or oversized motors.
J.R.'S Appliance Disposal
Sal B Scrap Metal Recycling
McCoy Iron & Metal
Edge Metals Recycling
S&S Recycling
Durham Core Inc.
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🚀 List your scrap yard ⟶How Aluminum & Dirty Motors Compare to Other Breakage
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 & Dirty Motors 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 & Dirty Motors: Scrap Yard Price vs. World Market (LME)
Avg scrap yard price
World market price (LME)
Aluminum & Dirty Motors: Spread vs. Exchange — Monthly History
| Period | World price (per lb) | Scrap yard price (per lb) | Spread vs. exchange |
|---|---|---|---|
| March 2026 (current) | $1.097176 | $0.50 | -$0.60 (54.4%) |
| February 2026 | $1.2032 | $0.56 | -$0.64 (53.5%) |
| January 2026 | $1.051423 | $0.63 | -$0.42 (40%) |
| December 2025 | $0.982942 | $0.34 | -$0.64 (65.3%) |
| November 2025 | $0.930043 | $0.55 | -$0.38 (41.4%) |
| October 2025 | $0.887584 | $0.44 | -$0.45 (50.2%) |
| September 2025 | $0.86119 | $0.52 | -$0.34 (40%) |
| August 2025 | $0.866703 | $0.40 | -$0.46 (53.5%) |
| July 2025 | $0.837774 | $0.38 | -$0.46 (54.9%) |
| June 2025 | $0.802343 | $0.39 | -$0.41 (51.1%) |
| May 2025 | $0.807171 | $0.48 | -$0.32 (40%) |
| April 2025 | $0.744003 | $0.35 | -$0.39 (52.8%) |
| March 2025 | $0.878574 | $0.53 | -$0.35 (39.9%) |
| February 2025 | $0.893382 | $0.41 | -$0.48 (53.6%) |
| January 2025 | $0.812942 | $0.39 | -$0.42 (52.1%) |
| December 2024 | $0.805026 | $0.44 | -$0.36 (45%) |
| November 2024 | $0.80919 | $0.42 | -$0.39 (48.1%) |
| October 2024 | $0.84811 | $0.51 | -$0.34 (40.1%) |
| September 2024 | $0.84145 | $0.32 | -$0.53 (62.6%) |
| August 2024 | $0.838665 | $0.50 | -$0.34 (40.1%) |
| July 2024 | $0.905877 | $0.43 | -$0.48 (52.8%) |
| June 2024 | $0.957757 | $0.46 | -$0.50 (51.7%) |
| May 2024 | $0.995197 | $0.60 | -$0.40 (40.2%) |
| April 2024 | $0.9588 | $0.45 | -$0.51 (52.8%) |
| March 2024 | $0.916803 | $0.55 | -$0.37 (39.9%) |
| February 2024 | $0.908876 | $0.55 | -$0.36 (40%) |
| January 2024 | $0.981155 | $0.59 | -$0.39 (39.8%) |
| December 2023 | $0.992781 | $0.60 | -$0.40 (40%) |
| November 2023 | $0.936113 | $0.44 | -$0.50 (53.4%) |
| October 2023 | $0.91751 | $0.55 | -$0.37 (40.1%) |
| September 2023 | $0.946997 | $0.46 | -$0.49 (51.6%) |
| 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 | $0.50 | -$0.53 (51.7%) |
| February 2023 | $1.081664 | $0.57 | -$0.51 (47.4%) |
| January 2023 | $1.063787 | $0.46 | -$0.61 (57%) |
| December 2022 | $1.03949 | $0.51 | -$0.53 (50.6%) |
| November 2022 | $1.026153 | $0.44 | -$0.59 (57.2%) |
| October 2022 | $0.962755 | $0.58 | -$0.39 (40.1%) |
| September 2022 | $0.9553 | $0.45 | -$0.51 (53.1%) |
| August 2022 | $1.002665 | $0.60 | -$0.40 (39.9%) |
| July 2022 | $0.932735 | $0.53 | -$0.40 (43.3%) |
| June 2022 | $1.03653 | $0.52 | -$0.51 (49.4%) |
| May 2022 | $1.104181 | $0.52 | -$0.58 (52.6%) |
| 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 | $0.53 | -$0.62 (54%) |
| December 2021 | $1.092839 | $0.59 | -$0.50 (45.6%) |
| November 2021 | $1.072407 | $0.58 | -$0.49 (45.9%) |
| October 2021 | $1.051368 | $0.32 | -$0.73 (69.6%) |
| September 2021 | $1.110613 | $0.67 | -$0.45 (40.1%) |
| August 2021 | $1.181813 | $0.65 | -$0.53 (44.6%) |
| July 2021 | $1.106519 | $0.43 | -$0.68 (61.3%) |
| June 2021 | $1.065053 | $0.64 | -$0.43 (40.1%) |
| May 2021 | $1.079274 | $0.65 | -$0.43 (39.9%) |
| April 2021 | $1.063943 | $0.43 | -$0.64 (60%) |
| March 2021 | $1.038232 | $0.62 | -$0.41 (39.9%) |
| February 2021 | $0.997864 | $0.60 | -$0.40 (40%) |
| January 2021 | $0.978155 | $0.59 | -$0.39 (40%) |
| December 2020 | $0.912668 | $0.55 | -$0.36 (40%) |
| November 2020 | $0.788713 | $0.47 | -$0.31 (39.9%) |
| October 2020 | $0.748797 | $0.28 | -$0.47 (62.6%) |
| September 2020 | $0.74391 | $0.45 | -$0.30 (39.9%) |
| August 2020 | $0.681152 | $0.32 | -$0.36 (53.4%) |
| July 2020 | $0.682474 | $0.41 | -$0.27 (40.1%) |
| June 2020 | $0.707093 | $0.43 | -$0.28 (39.8%) |
| May 2020 | $0.667345 | $0.40 | -$0.27 (40.1%) |
| April 2020 | $0.655233 | $0.39 | -$0.26 (40.1%) |
| March 2020 | $0.63179 | $0.38 | -$0.25 (39.9%) |
| February 2020 | $0.865779 | $0.52 | -$0.34 (39.8%) |
| January 2020 | $0.878045 | $0.53 | -$0.35 (39.9%) |
| December 2019 | $0.919229 | $0.44 | -$0.48 (52.4%) |
| November 2019 | $0.903547 | $0.54 | -$0.36 (40.1%) |
| October 2019 | $0.820784 | $0.49 | -$0.33 (39.9%) |
| September 2019 | $0.807807 | $0.27 | -$0.54 (66.2%) |
| August 2019 | $0.738452 | $0.44 | -$0.30 (40.1%) |
| July 2019 | $0.808777 | $0.48 | -$0.32 (40.1%) |
| June 2019 | $0.780903 | $0.47 | -$0.31 (39.9%) |
| May 2019 | $0.820665 | $0.49 | -$0.33 (39.9%) |
| April 2019 | $0.942947 | $0.43 | -$0.51 (54.5%) |
| March 2019 | $0.911219 | $0.55 | -$0.36 (40%) |
| February 2019 | $0.934725 | $0.56 | -$0.37 (40%) |
| January 2019 | $0.875529 | $0.52 | -$0.35 (40.1%) |
| December 2018 | $0.842287 | $0.39 | -$0.45 (53.1%) |
| November 2018 | $0.97931 | $0.59 | -$0.39 (39.9%) |
| October 2018 | $1.115935 | $0.67 | -$0.45 (40%) |
| September 2018 | $1.203813 | $0.72 | -$0.48 (40%) |
| August 2018 | $1.192819 | $0.72 | -$0.48 (40%) |
| July 2018 | $1.199784 | $0.72 | -$0.48 (39.9%) |
| June 2018 | $1.261433 | $0.57 | -$0.69 (54.6%) |
| May 2018 | $1.294884 | $0.78 | -$0.52 (39.9%) |
| April 2018 | $1.215763 | $0.56 | -$0.65 (53.8%) |
| March 2018 | $1.178032 | $0.71 | -$0.47 (40.1%) |
| February 2018 | $1.196529 | $0.72 | -$0.48 (39.9%) |
| January 2018 | $1.240045 | $0.74 | -$0.50 (40%) |
| December 2017 | $1.152535 | $0.69 | -$0.46 (40%) |
| November 2017 | $1.124073 | $0.67 | -$0.45 (40%) |
| October 2017 | $1.080894 | $0.65 | -$0.43 (40%) |
| September 2017 | $1.024547 | $0.62 | -$0.41 (39.9%) |
| August 2017 | $1.01609 | $0.61 | -$0.41 (40%) |
| July 2017 | $1.05311 | $0.52 | -$0.54 (50.9%) |
| June 2017 | $1.012163 | $0.59 | -$0.42 (41.6%) |
| May 2017 | $1.030332 | $0.62 | -$0.41 (40%) |
| April 2017 | $1.047077 | $0.63 | -$0.42 (39.9%) |
| March 2017 | $1.074468 | $0.64 | -$0.43 (40%) |
| February 2017 | $1.078479 | $0.65 | -$0.43 (39.9%) |
| January 2017 | $1.065594 | $0.64 | -$0.43 (40%) |
| December 2016 | $1.028835 | $0.58 | -$0.45 (43.5%) |
| November 2016 | $0.931123 | $0.45 | -$0.48 (51.5%) |
| October 2016 | $0.8537 | $0.51 | -$0.34 (40.1%) |
| September 2016 | $0.80081 | $0.48 | -$0.32 (40%) |
| August 2016 | $0.826381 | $0.50 | -$0.33 (40%) |
| July 2016 | $0.774219 | $0.46 | -$0.31 (40%) |
| June 2016 | $0.741897 | $0.45 | -$0.30 (40%) |
| May 2016 | $0.718016 | $0.43 | -$0.29 (39.9%) |
| April 2016 | $0.715587 | $0.43 | -$0.29 (39.9%) |
| March 2016 | $0.670245 | $0.32 | -$0.35 (52.1%) |
| February 2016 | $0.592476 | $0.28 | -$0.31 (52.4%) |
| January 2016 | $0.618029 | $0.37 | -$0.25 (40%) |
| December 2015 | $0.687187 | $0.41 | -$0.28 (40.1%) |
| November 2015 | $0.741517 | $0.45 | -$0.30 (39.9%) |
| October 2015 | $0.717597 | $0.43 | -$0.29 (40%) |
| September 2015 | $0.69765 | $0.42 | -$0.28 (39.9%) |
| August 2015 | $0.799229 | $0.48 | -$0.32 (40.1%) |
| July 2015 | $0.83201 | $0.50 | -$0.33 (40.1%) |
| June 2015 | $0.884197 | $0.41 | -$0.48 (53.9%) |
| May 2015 | $0.905884 | $0.54 | -$0.36 (40%) |
| April 2015 | $0.92614 | $0.56 | -$0.37 (40.1%) |
| March 2015 | $0.903377 | $0.54 | -$0.36 (40%) |
| February 2015 | $0.864918 | $0.40 | -$0.47 (54.3%) |
| January 2015 | $0.787571 | $0.47 | -$0.31 (40%) |
| December 2014 | $0.791997 | $0.37 | -$0.42 (53.1%) |
| November 2014 | $0.810152 | $0.47 | -$0.34 (41.9%) |
Aluminum & Dirty Motors 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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2/17/2026 | $0.17 / lb | +$0.08 | $0.10 - $0.22 |
| 12/19/2025 | $0.09 / lb | -$0.09 | $0.09 - $0.09 |
| 12/9/2025 | $0.18 / lb | +$0.01 | $0.18 - $0.18 |
| 12/7/2025 | $0.17 / lb | -$0.01 | $0.17 - $0.17 |
| 10/9/2025 | $0.18 / lb | +$0.10 | $0.18 - $0.18 |
| 8/24/2025 | $0.08 / lb | +$0.02 | $0.08 - $0.08 |
| 7/23/2025 | $0.06 / lb | -$0.04 | $0.06 - $0.06 |
| 7/1/2025 | $0.10 / lb | +$0.02 | $0.10 - $0.10 |
| 4/21/2025 | $0.08 / lb | -$0.02 | $0.08 - $0.08 |
| 2/10/2025 | $0.10 / lb | — no change | $0.10 - $0.10 |
| 1/19/2025 | $0.10 / lb | +$0.03 | $0.10 - $0.10 |
| 12/3/2024 | $0.07 / lb | -$0.03 | $0.07 - $0.07 |
| 9/19/2024 | $0.10 / lb | +$0.02 | $0.10 - $0.10 |
| 9/13/2024 | $0.08 / lb | — no change | $0.08 - $0.08 |
| 7/29/2024 | $0.08 / lb | -$0.07 | $0.08 - $0.08 |
| 6/18/2024 | $0.15 / lb | +$0.03 | $0.15 - $0.15 |
| 4/14/2024 | $0.12 / lb | +$0.03 | $0.09 - $0.15 |
| 11/29/2023 | $0.09 / lb | -$0.06 | $0.09 - $0.09 |
| 9/30/2023 | $0.15 / lb | +$0.03 | $0.15 - $0.15 |
| 3/27/2023 | $0.12 / lb | +$0.02 | $0.12 - $0.12 |
| 2/4/2023 | $0.10 / lb | -$0.11 | $0.10 - $0.10 |
| 1/23/2023 | $0.21 / lb | +$0.15 | $0.21 - $0.21 |
| 12/6/2022 | $0.06 / lb | -$0.04 | $0.05 - $0.06 |
| 11/27/2022 | $0.10 / lb | +$0.02 | $0.10 - $0.10 |
| 9/28/2022 | $0.08 / lb | — no change | $0.08 - $0.08 |
| 7/2/2022 | $0.08 / lb | -$0.02 | $0.08 - $0.08 |
| 5/14/2022 | $0.10 / lb | +$0.01 | $0.10 - $0.10 |
| 1/18/2022 | $0.09 / lb | -$0.06 | $0.09 - $0.09 |
| 12/4/2021 | $0.15 / lb | +$0.01 | $0.15 - $0.15 |
| 10/29/2021 | $0.14 / lb | +$0.06 | $0.14 - $0.14 |
| 10/21/2021 | $0.08 / lb | -$0.06 | $0.08 - $0.08 |
| 10/18/2021 | $0.14 / lb | +$0.01 | $0.14 - $0.14 |
| 8/3/2021 | $0.13 / lb | +$0.03 | $0.13 - $0.13 |
| 7/24/2021 | $0.10 / lb | +$0.02 | $0.10 - $0.10 |
| 4/23/2021 | $0.08 / lb | -$0.04 | $0.08 - $0.08 |
| 4/19/2021 | $0.12 / lb | — no change | $0.12 - $0.12 |
| 10/28/2020 | $0.12 / lb | +$0.03 | $0.12 - $0.12 |
| 10/25/2020 | $0.09 / lb | +$0.04 | $0.09 - $0.09 |
| 10/22/2020 | $0.05 / lb | — no change | $0.05 - $0.05 |
| 8/13/2020 | $0.05 / lb | -$0.05 | $0.05 - $0.05 |
| 12/9/2019 | $0.10 / lb | -$0.02 | $0.10 - $0.10 |
| 9/25/2019 | $0.12 / lb | +$0.07 | $0.12 - $0.12 |
| 9/11/2019 | $0.05 / lb | -$0.01 | $0.05 - $0.05 |
| 4/9/2019 | $0.06 / lb | -$0.02 | $0.06 - $0.06 |
| 12/17/2018 | $0.08 / lb | -$0.01 | $0.08 - $0.08 |
| 6/12/2018 | $0.09 / lb | +$0.02 | $0.09 - $0.09 |
| 4/11/2018 | $0.07 / lb | -$0.04 | $0.07 - $0.07 |
| 7/7/2017 | $0.11 / lb | +$0.06 | $0.11 - $0.11 |
| 12/2/2016 | $0.05 / lb | -$0.04 | $0.05 - $0.05 |
| 3/31/2016 | $0.09 / lb | -$0.01 | $0.09 - $0.09 |
| 2/29/2016 | $0.10 / lb | +$0.03 | $0.10 - $0.10 |
| 6/28/2015 | $0.07 / lb | -$0.01 | $0.07 - $0.07 |
| 2/14/2015 | $0.08 / lb | -$0.01 | $0.08 - $0.08 |
| 12/9/2014 | $0.09 / lb | -$0.01 | $0.09 - $0.09 |
Heavy Lifting: Maximizing Payouts on Aluminum & Dirty Motors
Scrap yards buy Aluminum & Dirty Motors (often referred to in the industry as aluminum breakage or meatball scrap) to feed their shredders. This category usually includes aluminum-cased electric motors, old pumps, and gearboxes where the aluminum housing is mixed with heavy steel rotors and copper or aluminum windings. Right now, national buyers offer anywhere from $0.10 for heavily contaminated or massive industrial items, up to $0.22 for smaller, cleaner units with high copper recovery. The national average holds steady at $0.17 per pound. Because these items weigh so much, even a slight bump in your per-pound rate means serious cash in your pocket.
Yard Pro Tip: Always crack the casing if you have a minute and check the windings inside. Many modern or cheaper motors use aluminum wire instead of copper. If the scale buyer hits it with a grinder and sees silvery aluminum wire instead of copper, they might aggressively downgrade your load. Keep copper-wound motors separate from aluminum-wound ones if you have the volume, as some buyers pay a premium for the copper recovery. Also, drain all fluids—oil-filled gear reducers will get you docked for 'shrink' at the scale.
Don't Get Robbed at the Scale: Smart Sorting Tactics
It is tempting to toss all your automotive and industrial scrap into one giant gaylord box, but lazy sorting costs you money every time. If you mix high-recovery items like Automotive Alternators or Automotive AC Compressors into your generic Aluminum & Dirty Motors bin, the scale operator will likely give you the lower breakage rate for the entire load. Throwing alternators in with dirty motors will cost you roughly $0.31 per pound in lost value. Take five minutes to separate the high-value components.
| Scrap Item Type | Proper Category to Sell Under |
|---|---|
| Aluminum block with heavy steel guts & wiring | Aluminum & Dirty Motors |
| Vehicle AC pumps | Automotive AC Compressors |
| Power boxes with aluminum windings | Aluminum & Steel Transformers |
Market Drivers for Mixed Breakage
The pricing for dirty motors is unique because it's tied to multiple commodities—primarily aluminum, steel, and copper. When the LME shows a spike in base metal futures, shredder yards in the US will raise their buying rates. Typically, yards buy this material at roughly 85.2% below the spot value of the recovered metals to account for the massive energy and labor costs required to shred, separate, and smelt the mixed materials.
Frequently Asked Questions
What exactly qualifies as an Aluminum & Dirty Motor?
This grade covers electric motors with an aluminum outer casing that houses steel components and copper or aluminum wire inside. It also includes dirty aluminum scrap that has too much steel attachment (over 10-15%) to be considered clean cast or sheet aluminum.
Is it worth taking the motor apart?
It depends entirely on your tools. Breaking open a heavy steel-core motor to recover a few ounces of copper and clean aluminum might not be worth the labor unless you have a high-speed hydraulic motor wrecker. If you are using hand tools, you are usually better off selling them whole at the $0.17 per pound average.
Why did the yard dock my weight?
Many dirty motors, especially old pumps and gear reducers, are full of oil or grease. Local buyers US will estimate the fluid weight and deduct it from your gross weight—a common industry practice known as taking "shrink." Always drain your motors before hitting the scale to get paid for your true metal weight.
Aluminum & Dirty Motors scrap prices — find in your state on the map
The map shows states where we have Aluminum & Dirty Motors scrap prices. Click a state on the map or use the links below to see current Aluminum & Dirty Motors prices in that region.