Average scrap price for Soft Lead (Clean)

180-day market: price lists from 2 yards. As of 3/22/2026.
$0.45/ lb
GT = Gross Ton (2240 lbs)
Avg: $0.45
Lowest price $0.45
Highest price$0.45Who pays the most? ⟶
How to read scrap yard offers Illinois
  • Low (around $0.45): Floor price, typically for small loads.
  • Mid ($0.45): A fair deal for standard quantities.
  • High ($0.45+): Top-dollar rate. Offered for large commercial loads or by the most competitive buyers.
52-week price range
Over the past year, prices ranged from $0.38 to $0.47.
May '25Aug '25Nov '25Feb '26Today
Market response to LME pricing
Current spread vs. exchange (today): ~51.1% (-$0.47/ lb). Typical spread for this grade: 39%–50%
⚠️ Local prices haven't caught up with the exchange yet
Market snapshot
Stable market. Prices have held steady over the past 6 months.
Pricing verified from 2 live board rates (out of 3 tracked local buyers).

Where to sell Soft Lead (Clean) in Illinois

Scrap yards in Illinois buying Soft Lead (Clean) — with current per-pound rates listed. Prices shown are indicative; actual payouts may vary by lot size, date, and material condition. Call ahead to confirm today’s price and minimum quantity. For large lots, ask about specialty or volume pricing.

💼 Scrap yard owners: Post your buy prices and get more customers
By price
By date
Updated 63 days ago

Big Daddy Scrap

Listed as: Lead
4441 W 1000 Rd S, Kankakee, IL 60901 Plan route
$0.45/ lb
Updated 115 days ago

Elgin Recycling Center

Listed as: Lead
660 Schiller St, Elgin, IL 60123 Plan route
$0.45/ lb
Updated 1123 days ago

Big Daddy Scrap

Listed as: Lead
551 E Lincoln Hwy, Chicago Heights, IL 60411 Plan route
$0.45/ lb

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Compare Soft Lead (Clean) prices with other Lead grades

See the exact price difference between Soft Lead (Clean) and similar grades like Wheel Weights (Hard Lead) or Dirty & Scrap Lead. Compare the current rates per pound below to ensure you get the maximum payout for your sorted scrap.

Current price Soft Lead (Clean)
Soft Lead (Clean) Based on 2 scrap yards
Avg price:$0.45 / lb
Trend for 30 days: 0.0%
Wheel Weights (Hard Lead) Estimated U.S. prices
Avg price:$0.14 / lb
Trend for 30 days: 0.0%
Price analytics
Dirty & Scrap Lead Estimated U.S. prices
Avg price:$0.11 / lb
Trend for 30 days: 0.0%
Price analytics

Price chart: Soft Lead (Clean) and LME Lead exchange data

This chart helps you track market direction and analyze Soft Lead (Clean) prices at local scrap yards. The line shows the local trend alongside LME Lead exchange data. When the exchange ticks up and yard prices haven't followed yet, they typically catch up within a few days — a good signal to wait before selling. When both lines are trending down, lock in your price and sell now before yards lower their offers further.

Current Soft Lead (Clean) scrap vs. LME Lead world price (LME)

Avg scrap yard price

$0.45
Scrap metal dealers
Price gap: −$0.47 / lb
vs. exchange

Today's world market price (LME)

$0.92 / lb
✓ For 99.9% pure refined metal
💡 Why is the scrap yard price lower than the exchange? The LME price is the global benchmark for 99.99% pure refined metal traded in large institutional contracts. The gap between LME and what you pocket is the yard's margin — it covers sorting, cleaning, transport to the mill, and protects them against sudden price drops.

Monthly spread: Soft Lead (Clean) scrap vs. LME Lead

Market Analysis: This month, the average spread between Soft Lead (Clean) prices at local scrap yards and the exchange is 49.9%. This is outside the typical historical range for this metal category (47% – 53%). Our data suggests local yard prices haven’t fully updated to reflect current market movements. Browse offers in your area ↑
PeriodWorld price (per lb)Scrap yard price (per lb)Spread vs. exchange
May 2026 (current)$0.8983 / lb$0.45 / lb−$0.45 (49.9%)
April 2026$0.8805 / lb$0.53 / lb−$0.35 (39.8%)
March 2026$0.8724 / lb$0.51 / lb−$0.36 (41.5%)
February 2026$0.8930 / lb$0.53 / lb−$0.36 (40.6%)
January 2026$0.9215 / lb$0.49 / lb−$0.43 (46.8%)
December 2025$0.9015 / lb$0.54 / lb−$0.36 (40.1%)
November 2025$0.9180 / lb$0.55 / lb−$0.37 (40.1%)
October 2025$0.9078 / lb$0.55 / lb−$0.36 (39.4%)
September 2025$0.9069 / lb$0.54 / lb−$0.37 (40.5%)
August 2025$0.9065 / lb$0.53 / lb−$0.38 (41.5%)
July 2025$0.9257 / lb$0.56 / lb−$0.37 (39.5%)
June 2025$0.9168 / lb$0.55 / lb−$0.37 (40%)
May 2025$0.9070 / lb$0.55 / lb−$0.36 (39.4%)
April 2025$0.8816 / lb$0.53 / lb−$0.35 (39.9%)
March 2025$0.9268 / lb$0.56 / lb−$0.37 (39.6%)
February 2025$0.8969 / lb$0.54 / lb−$0.36 (39.8%)
January 2025$0.8819 / lb$0.53 / lb−$0.35 (39.9%)
December 2024$0.9150 / lb$0.55 / lb−$0.37 (39.9%)
November 2024$0.9136 / lb$0.55 / lb−$0.36 (39.8%)
October 2024$0.9387 / lb$0.56 / lb−$0.38 (40.3%)
September 2024$0.9266 / lb$0.56 / lb−$0.37 (39.6%)
August 2024$0.9207 / lb$0.55 / lb−$0.37 (40.3%)
July 2024$0.9714 / lb$0.58 / lb−$0.39 (40.3%)
June 2024$1.0005 / lb$0.60 / lb−$0.40 (40%)
May 2024$1.0203 / lb$0.61 / lb−$0.41 (40.2%)
April 2024$0.9797 / lb$0.59 / lb−$0.39 (39.8%)
March 2024$0.9392 / lb$0.56 / lb−$0.38 (40.4%)
February 2024$0.9470 / lb$0.57 / lb−$0.38 (39.8%)
January 2024$0.9620 / lb$0.58 / lb−$0.38 (39.7%)
December 2023$0.9376 / lb$0.56 / lb−$0.38 (40.3%)
November 2023$0.9988 / lb$0.60 / lb−$0.40 (39.9%)
October 2023$0.9541 / lb$0.57 / lb−$0.38 (40.3%)
September 2023$1.0077 / lb$0.60 / lb−$0.41 (40.5%)
August 2023$0.9754 / lb$0.59 / lb−$0.39 (39.5%)
July 2023$0.9595 / lb$0.58 / lb−$0.38 (39.6%)
June 2023$0.9467 / lb$0.57 / lb−$0.38 (39.8%)
May 2023$0.9487 / lb$0.57 / lb−$0.38 (39.9%)
April 2023$0.9692 / lb$0.55 / lb−$0.42 (43.3%)

Daily price history for Soft Lead (Clean)

The table below shows the daily price history for Soft Lead (Clean) at local scrap yards. For each day we display the average payout, the change from the previous day, and the full market range (low and high). This lets you spot the direction of the market over recent days — whether prices are climbing, falling, or holding steady. Review several consecutive days of data before making a trip, and always confirm today’s rate directly with the yards listed on this page.

DateAvg price (per lb)ChangeRange (Low/High)
$0.45 / lb— no change$0.45 – $0.45
1/29/2026 $0.45 / lb+$0.15$0.45 – $0.45
1/28/2026 $0.30 / lb−$0.15$0.30 – $0.30
9/2/2025 $0.45 / lb— no change$0.45 – $0.45