Steel & Iron (Ferrous) Scrap Price Trends

over the last 6 months

In the last 6 months in the Steel & Iron (Ferrous) category: price is up for 1 grade, price is steady for 5 grades, and price is down for 5 grades.

How Have Prices Moved Over the Last 52 Weeks?
Over the past year, the category average ranged from $0.05 to $0.07.
May '25Aug '25Nov '25Feb '26Today
How Yard Prices Track the Exchange (CME)
Average discount to the exchange for this category: ~61.7% (-$0.12 / lb). Based on 11 grades with exchange data. Normal range for this category: 17%–77%.
✓ All 11 grades are within normal market range

U.S. National Price Benchmark — Steel & Iron (Ferrous) in South Carolina

Local scrap yards in South Carolina sometimes post their prices with a short delay. To keep you informed of what your metal is worth right now, we use U.S. national averages as a reference. The secondary metals market responds to exchange moves in sync across the country — use this national benchmark when negotiating with local buyers. Steel & Iron (Ferrous) prices across the U.S. →

Current Steel & Iron (Ferrous) Payouts by Grade

Here is the Steel & Iron (Ferrous) data we have on file for South Carolina. Local yards don't always update their online prices daily — if your grade isn't listed, use the National Benchmark above as leverage when negotiating with local buyers.

Avg. Price:$0.16 / lbRange: $0.15 – $0.17 / lb
Trend for 30 days: -3.3%
View Details
Avg. Price:$0.10 / lbRange: $0.10 – $0.10 / lb
Trend for 30 days: 0.0%
View Details
#1 Prepared Steel (HMS) Based on 3 yards
Avg. Price:$0.08 / lbRange: $0.07 – $0.08 / lb
Trend for 90 days: 0.0%
View Details
Cast Iron (Heavy) Based on 1 yard
Avg. Price:$0.07 / lbRange: $0.07 – $0.07 / lb
Trend for 90 days: -12.5%
View Details
Light Iron & Shredder Based on 4 yards
Avg. Price:$0.07 / lbRange: $0.07 – $0.07 / lb
Trend for 30 days: 0.0%
View Details
Rebar U.S. national average
Avg. Price:$0.07 / lbRange: $0.04 – $0.10 / lb
Trend for 90 days: +1.8%
View Details
Avg. Price:$0.06 / lbRange: $0.05 – $0.07 / lb
Trend for 90 days: -6.7%
View Details
#2 Prepared Steel Based on 3 yards
Avg. Price:$0.06 / lbRange: $0.06 – $0.06 / lb
Trend for 30 days: 0.0%
View Details
Tin (Sheet Metal) Based on 4 yards
Avg. Price:$0.06 / lbRange: $0.06 – $0.06 / lb
Trend for 6 mo.: -25.0%
View Details
Steel Turnings U.S. national average
Avg. Price:$0.05 / lbRange: $0.04 – $0.06 / lb
Trend for 30 days: -4.0%
View Details
+8.3% / 90 days
Wire Fence U.S. national average
Avg. Price:$0.05 / lbRange: $0.04 – $0.05 / lb
Trend for 90 days: +8.3%
View Details

Top Yards Buying Ferrous Scrap in South Carolina

Live prices from local scrap yards in South Carolina. Compare offers and find the buyer paying the most.

💼 Scrap yard owners: Post your buy prices and get more customers
By price
By date
Updated 4/13/2026

CMC Recycling

Columbia, South Carolina4 grades on price list
#1 Prepared Steel
$0.07 / lb|🠅 $0.04 (133%)
#1 Unprepared Steel
$0.05 / lb|🠅 $0.02 (67%)
Cast Iron
$0.07 / lb|🠇 $0.01 (13%)
Shred/Tin
$0.05 / lb|🠅 $0.02 (67%)
Updated 4/11/2026

CMC Recycling

Lexington, South Carolina5 grades on price list
#1 Prepared Steel
$0.07 / lb
3' Prepared P&S Steel
$0.10 / lb|🠅 $0.01 (11%)
Unprepared P&S Steel
$0.06 / lb|🠅 $0.01 (20%)
Whole Auto Bodies (no hybrid vehicles)
$0.07 / lb|🠇 $0.02 (22%)
Shred/Tin
$0.06 / lb|🠇 $0.02 (25%)
Updated 3/23/2026

CMC Recycling

Spartanburg, South Carolina4 grades on price list
Short Iron #2 HMS Prepared
$0.06 / lb|🠇 $0.01 (14%)
Long Iron/#1 and #2 HMS Unprepared
$0.05 / lb|🠇 $0.01 (17%)
Whole Auto Bodies
$0.07 / lb|🠇 $0.01 (13%)
Shredder Tin
$0.06 / lb|🠇 $0.01 (14%)
Updated 3/23/2026

CMC Recycling

Florence, South Carolina3 grades on price list
#1 Prepared Steel
$0.08 / lb|🠅 $0.04 (100%)
#1 Unprepared Steel
$0.07 / lb|🠅 $0.03 (75%)
Shred/Tin
$0.05 / lb|🠅 $0.02 (67%)
Updated 3/22/2026

CMC Recycling

Anderson, South Carolina4 grades on price list
Short Iron #2 HMS Prepared
$0.06 / lb|🠇 $0.01 (14%)
Long Iron/#1 and #2 HMS Unprepared
$0.05 / lb|🠇 $0.01 (17%)
Whole Auto Bodies
$0.07 / lb|🠇 $0.01 (13%)
Shredder Tin
$0.06 / lb|🠇 $0.01 (14%)
Updated 2/17/2026

CMC Recycling

Wellford, South Carolina4 grades on price list
Short Iron #2 HMS Prepared
$0.06 / lb|🠇 $0.01 (14%)
Long Iron/#1 and #2 HMS Unprepared
$0.06 / lb|🠇 $0.01 (14%)
Whole Auto Bodies
$0.07 / lb|🠇 $0.01 (13%)
Shredder Tin
$0.06 / lb|🠇 $0.01 (14%)

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Steel & Iron (Ferrous) Price Chart & History

See how local yard buy prices track the exchange (CME). Use this chart to judge whether it's a good time to cash in now or wait for yards to catch up with the latest exchange move.

Calculate Your Ferrous Scrap Load Value

Selling a mixed load? Pick the grades below — a weight field appears after you select at least one grade, then the calculator estimates your haul's value from current average prices South Carolina.

Select a metal above to estimate value

Grade Value: Density, Prep, and Mill Demand

Біржова ціна відображає чистий перероблений метал (99,9%+). У кожної марки лому різний рівень домішок і різна складність переробки. Чим вищий відсоток, тим цінніша марка і тим ближче виплата до спотової ціни.

GradeExchange (100%)Yard Price (per lb)Grade Quality
Automotive Cast Iron (Rotors/Drums) $0.19 CME$0.16
High Grade82%
Plate & Structural Steel (P&S) $0.19 CME$0.10
Mid Grade51%
#1 Prepared Steel (HMS) $0.19 CME$0.08
Low Grade39%
Cast Iron (Heavy) $0.19 CME$0.07
Low Grade36%
Light Iron & Shredder $0.19 CME$0.07
Low Grade36%
Rebar $0.19 CME$0.07
Low Grade36%
Unprepared Steel (Torch & Shear) $0.19 CME$0.06
Low Grade31%
#2 Prepared Steel $0.19 CME$0.06
Low Grade31%
Tin (Sheet Metal) $0.19 CME$0.06
Low Grade31%
Steel Turnings $0.19 CME$0.05
Low Grade26%
Wire Fence $0.19 CME$0.05
Low Grade23%

📊 What Determines Ferrous Grade Value:

  • Density & Thickness: Mills want heavy melting steel (HMS). Quarter-inch thick plate pays massively more than thin gauge tin.
  • Preparation: If a yard has to torch your 10-foot I-beam down to a 3-foot section, they'll buy it as Unprepared and pay you less.
  • Contamination: Dirt, concrete on rebar, or heavy rust scale will get your load downgraded to shred.
  • Market Spread: Local demand and the 61.7% margin against the CME dictate what the scale actually pays.
💡 Pro tip: Always separate your clean rotors and heavy cast iron from your basic light iron. Mixing them means the yard will pay the lowest common denominator price for the whole load.