Insulated Copper Wire Scrap Prices in Tulsa
Expert market analysis for Insulated Copper Wire scrap prices in Tulsa. Track real-time yard payouts for Romex, THHN, and industrial cables compared to COMEX spot rates to ensure you get the best value for your load in Tulsa, OK.
Local data is supplemented with national averages for the most accurate estimate. The market moves as one trend — use the national figure as your reference point.
Insulated Copper Wire Scrap Price Trends
over the last 6 monthsIn the last 6 months in the Insulated Copper Wire category: price is up for 4 grades, price is steady for 3 grades, and price is down for 6 grades.
U.S. National Price Benchmark — Insulated Copper Wire in Tulsa, Oklahoma
Local scrap yards in Tulsa, Oklahoma 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. Insulated Copper Wire prices across the U.S. →
Current Insulated Copper Wire Prices in Tulsa by Grade
Here is the Insulated Copper Wire data we have on file for Tulsa, Oklahoma. 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.
Where to Sell Insulated Copper Wire for Top Dollar in Tulsa
Live prices from local scrap yards in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Compare offers and find the buyer paying the most.
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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 in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Wire Recovery Rates: How Much Copper Is Inside?
The exchange price represents pure, refined metal (99.9%+). Each scrap grade contains varying levels of impurities, which require different amounts of processing. The higher the percentage, the more valuable the grade and the closer its payout is to the spot price.
| Grade | Exchange (100%) | Yard Price (per lb) | Grade Quality |
|---|---|---|---|
| MCM & Industrial Cable | $5.37 COMEX | $3.90 | High Grade•73% |
| THHN Wire | $5.37 COMEX | $3.66 | High Grade•68% |
| #1 Insulated Wire | $5.37 COMEX | $3.15 | High Grade•59% |
| Romex® Wire | $5.37 COMEX | $2.75 | High Grade•51% |
| Coax & Heliax Cable | $5.37 COMEX | $2.10 | Mid Grade•39% |
| #2 Insulated Wire | $5.37 COMEX | $1.97 | Mid Grade•37% |
| Telecom & Data Wire | $5.37 COMEX | $1.80 | Mid Grade•33% |
| Wire Harnesses | $5.37 COMEX | $1.68 | Mid Grade•31% |
| Jelly Wire | $5.37 COMEX | $1.10 | Low Grade•20% |
| #3 Insulated Wire (Low Grade) | $5.37 COMEX | $0.90 | Low Grade•17% |
| Armored Cable (BX) | $5.37 COMEX | $0.73 | Low Grade•13% |
| Computer Wire | $5.37 COMEX | $0.53 | Low Grade•10% |
| Christmas Lights | $5.37 COMEX | $0.40 | Low Grade•7% |
📊 What Determines Grade Value:
- Copper Recovery Percentage: The ratio of actual copper weight to plastic insulation weight is the #1 factor. Grades like THHN Wire have high recovery and command better prices.
- Wire Gauge: Thicker individual strands (found in #1 Insulated) are easier for processors to granulate than hair-thin strands.
- Contamination: Attachments like plugs, steel armor on Armored Cable (BX), or jelly filling in Jelly Wire increase processing costs.
- Metal Purity: Whether the copper inside is silver-coated (tinned) or clean red copper determines if it stays at a #1 or drops to a #2 grade.
Navigating the Complexity of Insulated Copper Wire in Tulsa
Insulated copper wire is the bread and butter of the scrap industry, but it's also where many scrappers leave money on the table. Payouts in Tulsa, OK range from $0.30 to $4.32 per pound, and the difference usually comes down to sorting. Yards categorize wire by the percentage of copper they can recover. For example, THHN Wire often has a 70-80% recovery, while thin Telecom & Data Wire might only be 35-40%. If you fail to separate these, a yard might treat your whole load as #3 Insulated Wire (Low Grade), costing you up to $3.50 on a full load.
Identifying High-Value Industrial Grades
Professional scrappers look for the heavy stuff. MCM & Industrial Cable and Romex® Wire are high-demand items because of their clean, thick copper content. Even within these grades, the metal quality matters. If the copper strands are 'tinned' (coated in a silver-colored solder), the yard will drop the price because it isn't pure. Our data shows that local yards are currently paying $2.40 to $3.90/lb for clean, high-recovery stock, while Wire Harnesses from automotive scrap typically pull $1.55 to $1.80/lb.
Yard Pro Tip: Beware of 'Copper-Clad Aluminum' (CCA). It looks like copper on the outside but is white aluminum on the inside. Yards will use a magnet or a file to check; if they find CCA, they will downgrade your #1 wire to an aluminum price, which is a massive hit to your bottom line.
Veteran Wire Sorting & Prep Guide
- The Strip Test: If the wire is thicker than a pencil (like #1/0 or larger MCM), it is almost always worth stripping to sell as Bare Bright. If it's thinner, the labor usually isn't worth the weight loss.
- Communication Cables: Keep Coax & Heliax Cable separate. Coax is often low-value because of the heavy plastic and steel shielding, whereas Heliax is premium grade.
- Low Grade Bin: Throw your Christmas Lights and thin ribbons of Computer Wire in a separate bucket. These are the lowest recovery items and shouldn't contaminate your better wire.
- Residential Cleanup: When scrapping Romex® Wire, you don't need to remove the outer sheath to get the Romex price, but removing the outer jacket to get clean #1 insulated strands can sometimes bump you into a higher bracket.
Market Insights
How Insulated Wire Prices Are Calculated
Prices for insulated copper wire in Tulsa are determined by the 'recovery rate' of the specific wire type. Yards take the current COMEX price for copper and subtract the weight of the insulation plus a processing fee. With a market spread of approximately 70.3, payouts are highly dependent on how much clean metal remains after the stripping or granulating process. Heavy industrial gauges pay significantly more than thin consumer electronics wire because the metal yield is much higher.
Maximize Your Wire Payout
- Remove the ends — Cut off brass or plastic plugs and steel connectors from Computer Wire to avoid the 'dirty' downgrade.
- Strip the big stuff — For wire thicker than a pencil, stripping the jacket to sell as Bare Bright can drastically increase your profit.
- Identify tinned copper — If the copper looks silver, scratch it. If it stays silver, it’s aluminum; if it’s orange underneath, it’s tinned copper.
- Bulk is better — Selling 500 lbs of sorted Wire Harnesses often allows you to negotiate a better 'tier' price than a 50 lb bucket.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my yard pay less for 'tinned' copper wire?
Tinned copper is copper coated with a thin layer of tin or solder to prevent corrosion. Refineries have to process this differently than pure red copper, so yards in in Tulsa pay slightly less for it than clean #1 Insulated Wire.
Is Armored Cable (BX) worth stripping?
Stripping Armored Cable (BX) is a nightmare without a machine. Most yards pay a specific price for it with the steel or aluminum casing still on. It’s better to sell it as-is unless you have a dedicated BX stripper.
What is 'Jelly Wire'?
Jelly Wire is typically outdoor telecom cable filled with a waterproof grease. It is messy to process and many yards will deduct from the price because of the contamination and the weight of the grease.
Insulated Copper Wire scrap prices in Tulsa, Oklahoma on the map
You're viewing Insulated Copper Wire scrap prices in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Below are other cities in the state. You can also see Insulated Copper Wire prices in other states.