Current Prices for Scrap Automotive AC Compressors in the US
Find the current national and local payouts for Automotive AC Compressors in the US. We track market rates so you know exactly what your scrap auto parts are worth before driving to the yard.
Average Automotive AC Compressors Price
- Low (up to $0.25): Floor price, typically for small loads.
- Mid ($0.27): A fair deal for standard quantities.
- High ($0.30+): Top-dollar rate. Offered for large commercial loads or by the most competitive buyers.
Pricing verified from 6 live board rates today.
Top Scrap Yards Buying Automotive AC Compressors US
Don't just toss those old AC compressors into your light iron pile. Check the list below to find yards in the US paying competitive rates for auto breakage. Always compare local buyers against the national average and call ahead to confirm their current payout before hitting the road.
Wichita Material Recovery - WMR - 303-9303
Stuff Recycling
E-Z Money Recycling LLC
USA Scrap Metal & Recycling
Scrap X
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🚀 List your scrap yard ⟶Compare Automotive AC Compressors With Similar Auto Parts
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.
Automotive AC Compressors 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.
Automotive AC Compressors: Scrap Yard Price vs. World Market (COMEX)
Avg scrap yard price
World market price (COMEX)
Automotive AC Compressors: Spread vs. Exchange — Monthly History
| Period | World price (per lb) | Scrap yard price (per lb) | Spread vs. exchange |
|---|---|---|---|
| March 2026 (current) | $5.764324 | $2.43 | -$3.33 (57.8%) |
| February 2026 | $5.880136 | $1.67 | -$4.21 (71.6%) |
| January 2026 | $5.894887 | $3.54 | -$2.36 (40%) |
| December 2025 | $5.497742 | $3.30 | -$2.20 (40%) |
| November 2025 | $5.064033 | $3.04 | -$2.03 (40%) |
| October 2025 | $5.050242 | $3.03 | -$2.02 (40%) |
| September 2025 | $4.662367 | $1.84 | -$2.82 (60.6%) |
| August 2025 | $4.477984 | $1.57 | -$2.91 (65%) |
| July 2025 | $5.482645 | $1.64 | -$3.84 (70%) |
| June 2025 | $4.883233 | $2.66 | -$2.23 (45.6%) |
| May 2025 | $4.686194 | $2.38 | -$2.30 (49.2%) |
| April 2025 | $4.654267 | $2.79 | -$1.86 (40%) |
| March 2025 | $4.919484 | $2.25 | -$2.67 (54.4%) |
| February 2025 | $4.558107 | $2.74 | -$1.82 (40%) |
| January 2025 | $4.269774 | $2.56 | -$1.71 (40%) |
| December 2024 | $4.157855 | $2.50 | -$1.66 (40%) |
| November 2024 | $4.199383 | $2.52 | -$1.68 (40%) |
| October 2024 | $4.431839 | $2.66 | -$1.77 (40%) |
| September 2024 | $4.292683 | $2.58 | -$1.72 (40%) |
| August 2024 | $4.121839 | $2.47 | -$1.65 (40%) |
| July 2024 | $4.375242 | $1.33 | -$3.04 (69.5%) |
| June 2024 | $4.491083 | $2.00 | -$2.49 (55.4%) |
| May 2024 | $4.75471 | $2.15 | -$2.61 (54.8%) |
| April 2024 | $4.363717 | $2.62 | -$1.74 (40%) |
| March 2024 | $3.983645 | $2.39 | -$1.59 (40%) |
| February 2024 | $3.801776 | $2.28 | -$1.52 (40%) |
| 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 | $2.17 | -$1.44 (40%) |
| September 2023 | $3.759833 | $2.26 | -$1.50 (40%) |
| 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 | $2.40 | -$1.60 (40%) |
| March 2023 | $4.02821 | $1.83 | -$2.20 (54.5%) |
| February 2023 | $4.06475 | $2.44 | -$1.63 (40%) |
| January 2023 | $4.115113 | $1.84 | -$2.27 (55.2%) |
| December 2022 | $3.820726 | $2.29 | -$1.53 (40%) |
| November 2022 | $3.674017 | $2.20 | -$1.47 (40%) |
| October 2022 | $3.430419 | $2.06 | -$1.37 (40%) |
| September 2022 | $3.455283 | $2.07 | -$1.38 (40%) |
| August 2022 | $3.616468 | $2.17 | -$1.45 (40%) |
| July 2022 | $3.4195 | $2.05 | -$1.37 (40%) |
| June 2022 | $4.118667 | $2.47 | -$1.65 (40%) |
| May 2022 | $4.257274 | $2.55 | -$1.70 (40%) |
| 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 | $2.66 | -$1.77 (40%) |
| 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 | $2.57 | -$1.71 (40%) |
| August 2021 | $4.302984 | $2.58 | -$1.72 (40%) |
| July 2021 | $4.347452 | $2.61 | -$1.74 (40%) |
| June 2021 | $4.388783 | $2.63 | -$1.76 (40%) |
| May 2021 | $4.618871 | $2.77 | -$1.85 (40%) |
| April 2021 | $4.192633 | $2.51 | -$1.68 (40%) |
| March 2021 | $4.084726 | $2.45 | -$1.63 (40%) |
| February 2021 | $3.861 | $2.32 | -$1.54 (40%) |
| January 2021 | $3.607435 | $2.16 | -$1.44 (40%) |
| December 2020 | $3.546903 | $2.13 | -$1.42 (40%) |
| November 2020 | $3.21755 | $1.93 | -$1.29 (40%) |
| October 2020 | $3.060177 | $1.84 | -$1.22 (40%) |
| September 2020 | $3.0352 | $1.82 | -$1.21 (40%) |
| August 2020 | $2.909726 | $1.75 | -$1.16 (40%) |
| 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 | $1.57 | -$1.05 (40%) |
| September 2019 | $2.615533 | $1.18 | -$1.43 (54.8%) |
| August 2019 | $2.576597 | $1.55 | -$1.03 (40%) |
| July 2019 | $2.693468 | $1.62 | -$1.08 (40%) |
| June 2019 | $2.671833 | $1.60 | -$1.07 (40%) |
| May 2019 | $2.7395 | $1.64 | -$1.10 (40%) |
| April 2019 | $2.914283 | $1.75 | -$1.17 (40%) |
| March 2019 | $2.902032 | $1.74 | -$1.16 (40%) |
| February 2019 | $2.845929 | $1.71 | -$1.14 (40%) |
| January 2019 | $2.675468 | $1.61 | -$1.07 (40%) |
| December 2018 | $2.724823 | $1.64 | -$1.09 (40%) |
| November 2018 | $2.7578 | $1.65 | -$1.10 (40%) |
| October 2018 | $2.768435 | $1.66 | -$1.11 (40%) |
| September 2018 | $2.712817 | $1.63 | -$1.09 (40%) |
| August 2018 | $2.706081 | $1.62 | -$1.08 (40%) |
| July 2018 | $2.807597 | $1.69 | -$1.12 (40%) |
| June 2018 | $3.1238 | $1.87 | -$1.25 (40%) |
| May 2018 | $3.080177 | $1.85 | -$1.23 (40%) |
| April 2018 | $3.08635 | $1.85 | -$1.23 (40%) |
| March 2018 | $3.080758 | $1.85 | -$1.23 (40%) |
| February 2018 | $3.17875 | $1.91 | -$1.27 (40%) |
| January 2018 | $3.215161 | $1.93 | -$1.29 (40%) |
| December 2017 | $3.134855 | $1.88 | -$1.25 (40%) |
| November 2017 | $3.105817 | $1.86 | -$1.24 (40%) |
| October 2017 | $3.103887 | $1.86 | -$1.24 (40%) |
| September 2017 | $3.00865 | $1.80 | -$1.20 (40%) |
| August 2017 | $2.957097 | $1.77 | -$1.18 (40%) |
| July 2017 | $2.732484 | $1.64 | -$1.09 (40%) |
| June 2017 | $2.605467 | $1.56 | -$1.04 (40%) |
| May 2017 | $2.556677 | $1.53 | -$1.02 (40%) |
| April 2017 | $2.595367 | $1.56 | -$1.04 (40%) |
| March 2017 | $2.653452 | $1.59 | -$1.06 (40.1%) |
| February 2017 | $2.69925 | $1.62 | -$1.08 (40%) |
| January 2017 | $2.622903 | $1.57 | -$1.05 (40%) |
| December 2016 | $2.567774 | $1.54 | -$1.03 (40%) |
| November 2016 | $2.478267 | $1.49 | -$0.99 (40%) |
| October 2016 | $2.148903 | $1.29 | -$0.86 (40%) |
| September 2016 | $2.139533 | $1.28 | -$0.86 (40%) |
| August 2016 | $2.14129 | $1.29 | -$0.86 (40%) |
| July 2016 | $2.210419 | $1.33 | -$0.88 (40%) |
| June 2016 | $2.093733 | $1.26 | -$0.84 (40%) |
| May 2016 | $2.111387 | $1.27 | -$0.84 (40%) |
| April 2016 | $2.183033 | $1.31 | -$0.87 (40%) |
| March 2016 | $2.24029 | $1.34 | -$0.90 (40%) |
| February 2016 | $2.076759 | $1.25 | -$0.83 (40%) |
| January 2016 | $2.022419 | $1.21 | -$0.81 (40%) |
| December 2015 | $2.094355 | $1.26 | -$0.84 (40%) |
| November 2015 | $2.150933 | $1.29 | -$0.86 (40%) |
| October 2015 | $2.368065 | $1.42 | -$0.95 (40%) |
| September 2015 | $2.360633 | $1.42 | -$0.94 (40%) |
| August 2015 | $2.326516 | $1.40 | -$0.93 (39.9%) |
| July 2015 | $2.490129 | $1.50 | -$0.99 (39.9%) |
| June 2015 | $2.6549 | $1.59 | -$1.06 (40%) |
| May 2015 | $2.866032 | $1.72 | -$1.15 (40%) |
| April 2015 | $2.745367 | $1.65 | -$1.10 (40%) |
| March 2015 | $2.697548 | $1.62 | -$1.08 (40%) |
| February 2015 | $2.600036 | $1.56 | -$1.04 (40%) |
| January 2015 | $2.636548 | $1.58 | -$1.05 (40%) |
| December 2014 | $2.877161 | $1.73 | -$1.15 (40%) |
| November 2014 | $3.002833 | $1.80 | -$1.20 (40%) |
| October 2014 | $3.029226 | $1.82 | -$1.21 (40%) |
| September 2014 | $3.098933 | $1.86 | -$1.24 (40%) |
| August 2014 | $3.169968 | $1.90 | -$1.27 (40%) |
| July 2014 | $3.240355 | $1.94 | -$1.30 (40%) |
| June 2014 | $3.098533 | $1.86 | -$1.24 (40%) |
| May 2014 | $3.11971 | $1.87 | -$1.25 (40%) |
| April 2014 | $3.051767 | $1.83 | -$1.22 (40%) |
| March 2014 | $3.026645 | $1.82 | -$1.21 (40%) |
| February 2014 | $3.238036 | $1.94 | -$1.29 (40%) |
| January 2014 | $3.318516 | $1.99 | -$1.33 (40%) |
| December 2013 | $3.299065 | $1.98 | -$1.32 (40%) |
| November 2013 | $3.218167 | $1.93 | -$1.29 (40%) |
| October 2013 | $3.285742 | $1.97 | -$1.31 (40%) |
| September 2013 | $3.274767 | $1.96 | -$1.31 (40%) |
| August 2013 | $3.286226 | $1.97 | -$1.31 (40%) |
| July 2013 | $3.131935 | $1.88 | -$1.25 (40%) |
| June 2013 | $3.181 | $1.91 | -$1.27 (40%) |
| May 2013 | $3.305935 | $1.98 | -$1.32 (40%) |
| April 2013 | $3.270167 | $1.96 | -$1.31 (40%) |
| March 2013 | $3.481806 | $2.09 | -$1.39 (40%) |
| February 2013 | $3.685071 | $2.21 | -$1.47 (40%) |
| January 2013 | $3.677839 | $2.21 | -$1.47 (40%) |
| December 2012 | $3.632452 | $2.18 | -$1.45 (40%) |
| November 2012 | $3.500333 | $2.10 | -$1.40 (40%) |
| October 2012 | $3.667871 | $2.20 | -$1.47 (40%) |
| September 2012 | $3.690133 | $2.21 | -$1.48 (40%) |
| August 2012 | $3.412871 | $2.05 | -$1.36 (40%) |
| July 2012 | $3.447032 | $2.07 | -$1.38 (40%) |
| June 2012 | $3.354433 | $2.01 | -$1.34 (40%) |
| May 2012 | $3.560323 | $2.14 | -$1.42 (40%) |
| April 2012 | $3.732267 | $2.24 | -$1.49 (40%) |
| March 2012 | $3.84871 | $2.31 | -$1.54 (40%) |
| February 2012 | $3.842586 | $2.31 | -$1.54 (40%) |
| January 2012 | $3.660258 | $2.20 | -$1.46 (40%) |
| December 2011 | $3.45271 | $2.07 | -$1.38 (40%) |
| November 2011 | $3.4335 | $2.06 | -$1.37 (40%) |
| October 2011 | $3.352387 | $2.01 | -$1.34 (40%) |
| September 2011 | $3.780433 | $2.27 | -$1.51 (40%) |
| August 2011 | $4.075194 | $2.44 | -$1.63 (40%) |
| July 2011 | $4.404839 | $2.64 | -$1.76 (40%) |
| June 2011 | $4.104083 | $2.46 | -$1.64 (40%) |
| May 2011 | $4.072129 | $2.44 | -$1.63 (40%) |
| April 2011 | $4.330933 | $2.60 | -$1.73 (40%) |
| March 2011 | $4.346323 | $2.61 | -$1.74 (40%) |
| February 2011 | $4.513982 | $2.71 | -$1.81 (40%) |
| January 2011 | $4.355826 | $2.61 | -$1.74 (40%) |
| December 2010 | $4.164142 | $2.50 | -$1.67 (40%) |
| November 2010 | $3.846847 | $2.31 | -$1.54 (40%) |
| October 2010 | $3.775165 | $2.27 | -$1.51 (40%) |
| September 2010 | $3.5841 | $1.99 | -$1.60 (44.6%) |
Automotive AC Compressors 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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2/25/2026 | $0.25 / lb | -$0.01 | $0.25 - $0.25 |
| 2/17/2026 | $0.26 / lb | +$0.06 | $0.20 - $0.30 |
| 9/29/2025 | $0.20 / lb | -$0.05 | $0.20 - $0.20 |
| 9/3/2025 | $0.25 / lb | +$0.05 | $0.25 - $0.25 |
| 8/24/2025 | $0.20 / lb | +$0.05 | $0.20 - $0.20 |
| 8/1/2025 | $0.15 / lb | +$0.05 | $0.15 - $0.15 |
| 7/31/2025 | $0.10 / lb | -$0.10 | $0.10 - $0.10 |
| 7/20/2025 | $0.20 / lb | +$0.05 | $0.20 - $0.20 |
| 6/3/2025 | $0.15 / lb | -$0.05 | $0.15 - $0.15 |
| 3/18/2025 | $0.20 / lb | +$0.10 | $0.20 - $0.20 |
| 7/24/2024 | $0.10 / lb | -$0.10 | $0.10 - $0.10 |
| 7/13/2024 | $0.20 / lb | +$0.05 | $0.20 - $0.20 |
| 6/9/2024 | $0.15 / lb | -$0.05 | $0.15 - $0.15 |
| 5/26/2024 | $0.20 / lb | +$0.05 | $0.20 - $0.20 |
| 3/13/2023 | $0.15 / lb | +$0.03 | $0.15 - $0.15 |
| 1/23/2023 | $0.12 / lb | — no change | $0.12 - $0.12 |
| 9/11/2019 | $0.12 / lb | -$0.02 | $0.12 - $0.12 |
Cashing in on Automotive AC Compressors
If you're pulling parts from junk cars or doing mechanic work in the US, Automotive AC Compressors are heavy, dense items that belong in their own bucket, not the shred pile. These units are a solid mix of a cast aluminum housing, internal copper windings, and a heavy steel clutch assembly. Because they yield multiple metals, buyers price them as a specific breakage grade. Right now, our data shows yards are paying anywhere from $0.25 to $0.30 per pound for complete, drained compressors, with the average hovering right around $0.27.
Don't Let the Scale Boss Downgrade Your Load
A rookie mistake is throwing all your automotive breakage into a single bin. If you dump your clean AC compressors in with lower-yield breakage like Aluminum & Steel Transformers, the yard manager will likely downgrade the whole container to the cheapest metal in the pile. You could lose roughly $0.15 per pound instantly just because you didn't sort your haul. Keep your compressors segregated from other items.
- Aluminum & Dirty Motors: Often trades between $0.09 to $0.22/lb.
- Aluminum & Steel Transformers: Usually fetches $0.12 to $0.20/lb.
- Automotive Alternators: Keep these separate too; they typically command $0.35 to $0.60/lb.
Prep Like a Pro: Draining and Stripping
Yards hate a mess, and AC compressors are notorious for leaking PAG oil all over the scale. Most reputable buyers require you to drain the oil completely before bringing them in. While you don't need to tear the compressor completely apart—the labor and broken tools rarely justify the internal copper recovery—you must remove any bulky steel mounting brackets attached to the aluminum housing. Leaving massive steel mounts on the unit brings down the aluminum-to-steel ratio, which can result in a harsh downgrade.
Yard Pro Tip: Always drain the oil from your Automotive AC Compressors and unbolt the heavy cast-iron or steel mounting brackets before heading to the scale. Leave the magnetic clutch assembly attached, but removing the extra vehicle-side brackets keeps your aluminum-to-weight ratio high, ensuring you get the true compressor rate instead of a 'dirty aluminum' or 'light iron' downgrade.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do yards buy Automotive AC Compressors as a specific grade?
Compressors have a very predictable recovery ratio of aluminum, copper, and steel. Instead of you spending hours cracking the tough aluminum shell to get a small amount of copper wire, industrial shredders process them in bulk. The price averages $0.27 per pound nationwide based on this expected yield.
Do market fluctuations affect compressor prices?
Yes. Because the main value comes from the aluminum housing and internal copper, their scrap value is heavily tied to commodity markets like the COMEX. However, due to the heavy processing and shredding required, the price buyers offer is usually about 94.9% below spot prices to cover the processor's margin.
Can I sell them if they are still attached to the engine block?
If you leave the compressor bolted to the engine, the yard will buy the entire assembly as a dirty motor or engine block, which pays significantly less per pound than the compressor alone. Always unbolt the AC compressor, alternator, and starter to sell them as separate, higher-paying breakage items.
Automotive AC Compressors scrap prices — find in your state on the map
The map shows states where we have Automotive AC Compressors scrap prices. Click a state on the map or use the links below to see current Automotive AC Compressors prices in that region.