Current Prices for Scrap Electric Motors in the US
Real-time market analytics for Electric Motors scrap prices in the US. Track current yard payouts for copper-wound motors, sealed units, and automotive cores against global COMEX trends to maximize your profit in the US.
Electric Motors Scrap Price Trends
over the last 30 daysIn the last month in the Electric Motors category: price is up for 5 grades, price is steady for 4 grades, and price is down for 1 grade.
Live Electric Motors Scrap Prices in the US
Electric motor scrap values currently range from $0.09/lb up to $0.60/lb depending on the copper recovery rate. Our data shows that high-demand items like Automotive Alternators are fetching $0.35 to $0.60/lb, while standard Copper Electric Motors typically pay $0.25 to $0.50/lb. For those hauling appliance scrap, Sealed Unit Compressors (Appliance) are moving at $0.20 to $0.43/lb.
Top-Rated Scrap Yards for Electric Motors in the US
Live prices from local scrap yards across the U.S.. Compare offers and find the buyer paying the most.
E-Z Money Recycling LLC
Edge Metals Recycling
Scrap X
USA Scrap Metal & Recycling
S&S Recycling
AA Auto Salvage & Recycling LLC
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🚀 List your scrap yard ⟶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 across the U.S..
Winding Analysis: What Is Your Motor Actually Worth?
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scrap Engines & Transmissions | $1.00 LME | $0.17 | High Grade•16% |
| Aluminum & Dirty Motors | $1.00 LME | $0.16 | High Grade•15% |
| Aluminum & Steel Transformers | $1.00 LME | $0.13 | High Grade•12% |
| Automotive Alternators | $5.30 COMEX | $0.48 | Mid Grade•9% |
| Copper Transformers | $5.30 COMEX | $0.43 | Low Grade•8% |
| Automotive Starters | $5.30 COMEX | $0.40 | Low Grade•8% |
| Copper Electric Motors | $5.30 COMEX | $0.38 | Low Grade•7% |
| Sealed Unit Compressors (Appliance) | $5.30 COMEX | $0.32 | Low Grade•6% |
| Automotive AC Compressors | $5.30 COMEX | $0.28 | Low Grade•5% |
| Light Ballasts & Power Supplies | $5.30 COMEX | $0.23 | Low Grade•4% |
📊 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.
Maximizing Your Payout on Electric Motors in the US
In the scrap world, electric motors are a staple for any serious peddler. Across the board, buyers in the US are looking for the red metal hidden inside those steel housings. Payouts can fluctuate wildly from $0.09 to $0.60 per pound, and knowing how to identify a Copper Electric Motor from a cheaper aluminum-wound version is the key to not getting fleeced at the scale. Yards typically buy these as 'breakage'—meaning they will shred them to separate the metals—so the less non-metallic junk you have attached, the better your chances of hitting that $0.29 average price.
Identifying High-Value Motor Components
Not everything with a cord is created equal. For instance, Automotive Alternators and Automotive Starters are top-tier because of their high copper density. On the flip side, Aluminum & Dirty Motors or transformers with aluminum windings will significantly lower your ticket price. If you aren't careful, a yard might grade your entire load based on the lowest quality piece in the bin, potentially costing you $0.35 in lost revenue. Always separate your Copper Transformers from the steel-heavy Aluminum & Steel Transformers before you hit the scale.
Yard Pro Tip: Use a file or a grinder to scratch the windings of any motor or transformer. If the metal underneath the surface is white, it's aluminum. If it stays reddish-orange, it's copper. Don't let a yard buy copper-wound Light Ballasts & Power Supplies as 'dirty aluminum' prices just because they look silver on the outside.
Veteran Sorting Guide for Motors & Compressors
- Sealed Units: Items like Sealed Unit Compressors (Appliance) should be kept separate. These are essentially motors inside a thick steel 'pot.' Do not cut them open; yards pay a specific rate for these as-is.
- Automotive Cores: Keep Automotive AC Compressors separate from your mixed motor pile. They often have high aluminum content in the casing which can bump the price.
- Clean Up the Load: Remove any heavy iron brackets, plastic shrouds, or rubber belts from your Copper Electric Motors. Yards love 'clean' motors and are less likely to haggle over the grade.
- Heavy Metal: For Scrap Engines & Transmissions, ensure all fluids are drained. A 'wet' engine is a liability for the yard and will lead to a heavy weight deduction.
Market Insights
The Drivers of Electric Motor Payouts
Prices for Electric Motors are determined by the 'recovery'—the amount of clean copper or aluminum a yard can extract after shredding. Local yards in the US adjust their board prices based on COMEX copper futures and the cost of processing. Large industrial motors often command a premium due to higher copper-to-steel ratios, while small 'micromotors' from consumer electronics are often downgraded due to labor costs.
Insider Tips for Scrapping Motors
- Cut the Wires: Yards buy motors by weight, but they buy insulated wire at a different rate. Cut the lead wires off and sell them separately as #2 insulated wire.
- Drain the Fluids: Especially for Scrap Engines & Transmissions or Automotive AC Compressors, ensure all oil and fluids are removed; many yards will reject or deduct weight for 'wet' scrap.
- Core Buyers vs. Scrap Yards: For Automotive Alternators, check with local auto parts recyclers first; they sometimes offer a flat 'core' price that beats the scrap scale rate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do electric motors pay less than clean copper?
A motor is only about 10% to 20% copper by weight. The rest is steel, aluminum, and insulation. The price you get reflects the value of that copper minus the cost for the yard to shred and separate it from the waste.
Is it worth it to strip the copper out of a motor?
For small motors, the labor usually isn't worth it. However, for large industrial motors, 'breaking' the motor to extract the Bare Bright Copper or #1 Copper windings can double or triple your profit if you have the right tools (like a motor wrecker or a heavy-duty chisel).
How can I tell if a transformer is copper or aluminum?
As mentioned in our pro tip, the scratch test is king. Copper Transformers are significantly heavier for their size than Aluminum & Steel Transformers. If the price offered seems low, check the windings—copper is always the goal.
Electric Motors scrap prices — find in your state on the map
The map shows states where we have Electric Motors scrap prices. Click a state on the map or use the links below to see current Electric Motors prices in that region.