Electric Motors Scrap Price Trends

over the last 30 days

In the last month in the Electric Motors category: price is up for 1 grade, price is steady for 7 grades, and price is down for 2 grades.

How Have Prices Moved Over the Last 52 Weeks?
Over the past year, the category average ranged from $0.18 to $0.25.
May '25Aug '25Nov '25Feb '26Today
How Yard Prices Track the Exchange (COMEX)
Average discount to the exchange for this category: ~94.6% (-$4.35 / lb). Based on 10 grades with exchange data. Normal range for this category: 86%–98%.
✓ All 10 grades are within normal market range

U.S. National Price Benchmark — Electric Motors in Virginia

Local scrap yards in Virginia 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. Electric Motors prices across the U.S. →

Live Electric Motors Scrap Prices in Virginia

Here is the Electric Motors data we have on file for Virginia. 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.

Copper Transformers U.S. national average
Avg. Price:$0.45 / lbRange: $0.35 – $0.55 / lb
Trend for 30 days: -7.5%
View Details
Automotive Alternators Based on 2 yards
Avg. Price:$0.40 / lbRange: $0.40 – $0.40 / lb
Trend for 30 days: 0.0%
View Details
Automotive Starters Based on 2 yards
Avg. Price:$0.40 / lbRange: $0.40 – $0.40 / lb
Trend for 30 days: 0.0%
View Details
Automotive AC Compressors U.S. national average
Avg. Price:$0.28 / lbRange: $0.25 – $0.30 / lb
Trend for 90 days: +1.8%
View Details
Copper Electric Motors Based on 4 yards
Avg. Price:$0.28 / lbRange: $0.25 – $0.30 / lb
Trend for 30 days: 0.0%
View Details
Avg. Price:$0.20 / lbRange: $0.10 – $0.30 / lb
Trend for 6 mo.: -36.0%
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+40.0% / 30 days
Aluminum & Dirty Motors U.S. national average
Avg. Price:$0.16 / lbRange: $0.09 – $0.22 / lb
Trend for 30 days: +40.0%
View Details
Aluminum & Steel Transformers U.S. national average
Avg. Price:$0.13 / lbRange: $0.10 – $0.15 / lb
Trend for 30 days: 0.0%
View Details
Avg. Price:$0.13 / lbRange: $0.10 – $0.15 / lb
Trend for 30 days: 0.0%
View Details
Avg. Price:$0.10 / lbRange: $0.10 – $0.10 / lb
Trend for 30 days: 0.0%
View Details

Top-Rated Scrap Yards for Electric Motors in Virginia

Live prices from local scrap yards in Virginia. 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 4/17/2026

C & C Cullet LLC

Ashland, Virginia3 grades on price list
Lg Copper Electric Motors
$0.22 / lb|🠇 $0.08 (27%)
Compressors
$0.30 / lb|🠅 $0.02 (7%)
Copper Ballast
$0.15 / lb|🠅 $0.07 (88%)
Updated 2/17/2026

Three Rivers Iron Metal

Fairmont, West Virginia5 grades on price list
Electric Motors
$0.25 / lb|🠅 $0.05 (25%)
Compressors (From Appliances)
$0.10 / lb
Alternators
$0.40 / lb|🠅 $0.05 (14%)
Starters-Mixed
$0.40 / lb|🠅 $0.10 (33%)
Ballasts
$0.10 / lb
Updated 2/17/2026

Empire Metal Recycling

Suffolk, Virginia4 grades on price list
Electric Motors Copper
$0.18 / lb|🠇 $0.07 (28%)
Sealed Units (Compressors)
$0.20 / lb|🠅 $0.03 (18%)
Alternators
$0.20 / lb
Ballasts
$0.05 / lb
Updated 2/17/2026

Elkins Metal Recycling

Elkins, West Virginia4 grades on price list
Electric Motors
$0.25 / lb|🠅 $0.05 (25%)
Compressors
$0.10 / lb
Alternators
$0.40 / lb|🠅 $0.10 (33%)
Starters
$0.40 / lb|🠅 $0.10 (33%)
Updated 2/17/2026

West Virginia Cashin Recyclables

Nitro, West Virginia2 grades on price list
Electric Motors
$0.30 / lb|🠅 $0.05 (20%)
Engine Block
$0.10 / lb|🠅 $0.01 (11%)
Updated 2/17/2026

Charleston Area Metal Recycling

Charleston, West Virginia1 grade on price list
Electric Motors
$0.25 / lb

Don't see your scrap yard in Virginia? List it for free.

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Electric Motors Price Chart & History

See how local yard buy prices track the exchange (COMEX). 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.

Electric Motor Load Value Calculator

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 Virginia.

Select a metal above to estimate value

Winding Analysis: What Is Your Motor Actually Worth?

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
Aluminum & Dirty Motors $1.12 LME$0.16
High Grade14%
Aluminum & Steel Transformers $1.12 LME$0.13
High Grade11%
Scrap Engines & Transmissions $1.12 LME$0.10
Mid Grade9%
Copper Transformers $6.09 COMEX$0.45
Mid Grade7%
Automotive Alternators $6.09 COMEX$0.40
Mid Grade7%
Automotive Starters $6.09 COMEX$0.40
Mid Grade7%
Automotive AC Compressors $6.09 COMEX$0.28
Low Grade5%
Copper Electric Motors $6.09 COMEX$0.28
Low Grade5%
Sealed Unit Compressors (Appliance) $6.09 COMEX$0.20
Low Grade3%
Light Ballasts & Power Supplies $6.09 COMEX$0.13
Low Grade2%

📊 What Determines Grade Value:

  • Copper Recovery Percentage: High-grade items like Copper Electric Motors have thick copper windings, whereas Aluminum & Dirty Motors yield less value because aluminum is cheaper than copper.
  • Casing Composition: Heavy cast-iron or steel casings add weight but lower the overall price-per-pound compared to aluminum-housed units.
  • Remanufacturing Demand: Units like Automotive Starters often carry a 'core value' because they can be rebuilt, making them worth more than standard motor scrap.
  • Attachment Contamination: Attached pumps, plastic fans, or pulleys can drop a motor's value down to the 'Dirty' grade.
💡 Pro tip: If you have Aluminum & Steel Transformers paying the low-grade rate of $0.10 to $0.15/ lb, check the windings with a file. If you find copper underneath a silver coating, demand the Copper Transformer rate to avoid an easy $0.35 loss on a heavy load.