Average Aluminum Wire (EC / Clean) Price

180-day market: price lists from 2 yards. As of 3/4/2026.
$0.55/ lb -$0.45 (10.8%)
GT = Gross Ton (2240 lbs)
Avg: $0.55
Lowest price $0.40
Highest price$0.70Who pays the most? ⟶
How to read a yard's offer
  • Low (up to $0.40): Floor price, typically for small loads.
  • Mid ($0.55): A fair deal for standard quantities.
  • High ($0.70+): 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 $0.63 to $1.13.
Mar '25Jun '25Sep '25Dec '25Today
Market response to LME pricing
Spread vs. exchange (180-day avg): ~45.1% (-$0.45/lb). Typical spread for this grade: 28%–45%
✓ Scrap yards are offering fair market rates
Market snapshot
Downward trend. Prices have been falling over the past 3 months.
Pricing verified from 2 live board rates today.

Top Scrap Yards Buying Aluminum Wire (EC / Clean) in Florida

Don't just hand over your high-grade electrical wire to the first scale you find. Buyers in Florida have strict grading rules for EC wire. Compare local prices against the national average of $1.18 and call ahead to confirm their current payout before hauling your load.

💼 Scrap yard owners: Post your buy prices and get more customers
By price
By date
Updated 17 days ago

USA Scrap Metal & Recycling

Listed as: Aluminum Cable (Clean)
3147 NW N River Dr, Miami, FL 33142 Get Directions
$0.70 / lb
Updated 32 days ago

Edge Metals Recycling

Listed as: Clean Aluminum Wire (EC)
5120 36th Ave S Get Directions
$0.40 / lb

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Hundreds of people search here every day for the best scrap metal prices. Start capturing ready-to-sell leads today.

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How Does Clean EC Wire Compare to Other Aluminum?

The #1 rule at scrap yards: if you mix grades, they’ll weigh everything at the lowest rate. See the price gap below — if you have higher-value metal, always sort and weigh each grade separately to avoid leaving money on the table.

Aluminum BX Estimated U.S. prices
Avg price:$1.98 / lb
Trend (30d): +25.1%
Price analytics
Aluminum 5052 (Plate) Estimated U.S. prices
Avg price:$1.28 / lb
Trend (30d): 0.0%
Price analytics
Painted Aluminum Extrusion Estimated U.S. prices
Avg price:$1.04 / lb
Trend (6m): -1.2%
Price analytics
Lithographic Plates (Litho) Estimated U.S. prices
Avg price:$1.03 / lb
Trend (6m): +23.4%
Price analytics
Aluminum 6063 Extrusion (Clean) Based on 5 scrap yards
Avg price:$1.00 / lb
Trend (90d): +6.5%
Price analytics
Dirty & Irony Aluminum Wheels Estimated U.S. prices
Avg price:$0.81 / lb
Trend (6m): 0.4%
Price analytics
Clean Aluminum Auto Wheels (Alloy 356) Based on 6 scrap yards
Avg price:$0.79 / lb
Trend (30d): 0.0%
Price analytics
Aluminum Cans (UBC) Based on 4 scrap yards
Avg price:$0.74 / lb
Trend (90d): +1.9%
Price analytics
Aluminum Siding & Gutters Based on 2 scrap yards
Avg price:$0.73 / lb
Trend (30d): 0.0%
Price analytics
Aluminum 6061 Structural Based on 1 scrap yards
Avg price:$0.72 / lb
Trend (30d): 0.0%
Price analytics
Dirty Aluminum Extrusion Based on 4 scrap yards
Avg price:$0.70 / lb
Trend (90d): +24.6%
Price analytics
Aluminum Clips & MLC Based on 4 scrap yards
Avg price:$0.67 / lb
Trend (6m): +12.1%
Price analytics
Chrome Plated Aluminum Wheels Based on 3 scrap yards
Avg price:$0.63 / lb
Trend (30d): 0.0%
Price analytics
Aluminum Wire (Insulated / ACSR) Based on 2 scrap yards
Avg price:$0.60 / lb
Trend (6m): +15.2%
Price analytics
Thermal Break Aluminum Estimated U.S. prices
Avg price:$0.60 / lb
Trend (6m): +1.1%
Price analytics
Clean Aluminum Sheet Based on 6 scrap yards
Avg price:$0.58 / lb
Trend (6m): -11.0%
Price analytics
Painted & Old Sheet Aluminum Based on 3 scrap yards
Avg price:$0.52 / lb
Trend (30d): 0.0%
Price analytics
Cast Aluminum Based on 4 scrap yards
Avg price:$0.50 / lb
Trend (6m): -0.6%
Price analytics
Irony & Breakage Aluminum Based on 1 scrap yards
Avg price:$0.35 / lb
Trend (30d): 0.0%
Price analytics
Clean Truck & Semi Wheels (Alloy 6061) Based on 1 scrap yards
Avg price:$0.25 / lb
Trend (30d): 0.0%
Price analytics
Aluminum Turnings Estimated U.S. prices
Avg price:$0.25 / lb
Trend (6m): -38.8%
Price analytics
Aluminum Foil & Light Gauge Estimated U.S. prices
Avg price:$0.10 / lb
Trend (30d): 0.0%
Price analytics

Historical Price Trends for Aluminum Wire (EC / Clean)

This chart shows where the market is headed. If the line is climbing, prices are rising — you might get a better deal in a few days. If it’s dropping, don’t wait: sell today before yards lower their buy prices further.

Aluminum Wire (EC / Clean): Scrap Yard Price vs. World Market (LME)

Avg scrap yard price

$0.55
Scrap metal dealers
Spread: -$0.45/lb
vs. exchange

World market price (LME)

$1.0024
✓ 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.

Aluminum Wire (EC / Clean): Spread vs. Exchange — Monthly History

Analyst take: This month’s average spread between scrap yard prices and the world market for Aluminum Wire (EC / Clean) is 45.1%. That’s in line with the typical range for this grade (42%–48%). Local yards are offering fair market rates. Check offers in your area ↑
PeriodWorld price (per lb)Scrap yard price (per lb)Spread vs. exchange
March 2026 (current)$1.097176$0.63-$0.47 (42.4%)
February 2026$1.2032$0.82-$0.38 (31.9%)
January 2026$1.051423$0.63-$0.42 (40%)
December 2025$0.982942$0.59-$0.39 (40.1%)
November 2025$0.930043$0.64-$0.29 (30.7%)
October 2025$0.887584$0.56-$0.33 (37.1%)
September 2025$0.86119$0.62-$0.24 (28.2%)
August 2025$0.866703$0.52-$0.35 (40%)
July 2025$0.837774$0.50-$0.33 (40%)
June 2025$0.802343$0.54-$0.26 (32.5%)
May 2025$0.807171$0.48-$0.32 (40%)
April 2025$0.744003$0.45-$0.30 (39.9%)
March 2025$0.878574$0.53-$0.35 (39.9%)
February 2025$0.893382$0.54-$0.36 (40.1%)
January 2025$0.812942$0.49-$0.33 (40%)
December 2024$0.805026$0.48-$0.32 (40.1%)
November 2024$0.80919$0.49-$0.32 (39.9%)
October 2024$0.84811$0.51-$0.34 (40.1%)
September 2024$0.84145$0.51-$0.34 (40%)
August 2024$0.838665$0.50-$0.34 (40.1%)
July 2024$0.905877$0.54-$0.36 (40.1%)
June 2024$0.957757$0.57-$0.38 (40.1%)
May 2024$0.995197$0.60-$0.40 (40.2%)
April 2024$0.9588$0.58-$0.38 (40%)
March 2024$0.916803$0.55-$0.37 (39.9%)
February 2024$0.908876$0.55-$0.36 (40%)
January 2024$0.981155$0.59-$0.39 (39.8%)
December 2023$0.992781$0.60-$0.40 (40%)
November 2023$0.936113$0.56-$0.37 (40%)
October 2023$0.91751$0.55-$0.37 (40.1%)
September 2023$0.946997$0.57-$0.38 (40%)
August 2023$0.930013$0.56-$0.37 (40.1%)
July 2023$0.934068$0.56-$0.37 (39.9%)
June 2023$0.944237$0.57-$0.38 (40.1%)
May 2023$0.9455$0.57-$0.38 (40.1%)
April 2023$0.971563$0.58-$0.39 (40.1%)
March 2023$1.031729$0.62-$0.41 (39.9%)
February 2023$1.081664$0.65-$0.43 (40.1%)
January 2023$1.063787$0.64-$0.42 (39.9%)
December 2022$1.03949$0.62-$0.42 (40%)
November 2022$1.026153$0.62-$0.41 (40%)
October 2022$0.962755$0.58-$0.39 (40.1%)
September 2022$0.9553$0.57-$0.38 (39.9%)
August 2022$1.002665$0.60-$0.40 (39.9%)
July 2022$0.932735$0.56-$0.37 (40%)
June 2022$1.03653$0.62-$0.41 (40%)
May 2022$1.104181$0.66-$0.44 (40%)
April 2022$1.12712$0.68-$0.45 (40%)
March 2022$1.070248$0.64-$0.43 (40.1%)
February 2022$1.12205$0.67-$0.45 (40%)
January 2022$1.156365$0.70-$0.46 (39.8%)
December 2021$1.092839$0.66-$0.44 (39.8%)
November 2021$1.072407$0.64-$0.43 (40%)
October 2021$1.051368$0.63-$0.42 (39.9%)
September 2021$1.110613$0.67-$0.45 (40.1%)
August 2021$1.181813$0.71-$0.47 (39.9%)
July 2021$1.106519$0.66-$0.44 (40%)
June 2021$1.065053$0.64-$0.43 (40.1%)
May 2021$1.079274$0.65-$0.43 (39.9%)
April 2021$1.063943$0.64-$0.42 (39.9%)
March 2021$1.038232$0.62-$0.41 (39.9%)
February 2021$0.997864$0.60-$0.40 (40%)
January 2021$0.978155$0.59-$0.39 (40%)
December 2020$0.912668$0.55-$0.36 (40%)
November 2020$0.788713$0.47-$0.31 (39.9%)
October 2020$0.716314$0.40-$0.32 (44.2%)

Aluminum Wire (EC / Clean) Scrap Price History — Daily Data

A day-by-day market snapshot in exact numbers. Every day we aggregate buy prices from local scrap yards, recording the average, low, and high. Use this table to track real price movement over recent days.

DateAvg price (per lb)ChangeRange (Low/High)
3/4/2026$0.70 / lb-$0.40$0.70 - $0.70
2/17/2026$1.10 / lb+$0.20$1.10 - $1.10
11/9/2025$0.90 / lb+$0.20$0.90 - $0.90
11/3/2025$0.70 / lb-$0.20$0.70 - $0.70
9/16/2025$0.90 / lb+$0.20$0.90 - $0.90
6/15/2025$0.70 / lb+$0.45$0.70 - $0.70

Cashing in on Aluminum Wire (EC / Clean)

When it comes to scrapping, EC (Electrical Conductor) aluminum wire is a top-tier material. Because it is highly pure, yards in Florida are currently paying anywhere from $0.90 to $1.70 for properly prepared loads. This isn't your standard scrap; it is meant to go straight back into the smelting pot to become new electrical components. Our data shows that scrappers who take the time to strip and prep this wire flawlessly consistently hit the upper end of the price spectrum.

The Downgrade Danger: Protecting Your Profits

The golden rule of the yard is simple: mixed metal gets the lowest price. If you carelessly mix your pristine EC wire with lower-tier junk, the scale operator is going to grade the entire bin based on the cheapest metal in it. If they drop your load down to an Aluminum Foil & Light Gauge rate because it is tangled up with trash, you are looking at a painful loss of $1.08 per pound. Keep your EC wire completely isolated. Do not toss it in with Aluminum 3003, Aluminum 5052 (Plate), or Aluminum 6061 Structural.

Yard Pro Tip: Always run a strong magnet over your bare aluminum wire. Many overhead utility lines are ACSR (Aluminum Conductor Steel Reinforced), meaning there is a hidden steel core wire running right down the center of the aluminum strands for strength. If you try to pass ACSR off as clean EC wire, the yard's magnet will catch it, and your high-paying load will instantly drop to a low-tier 'irony aluminum' price. Pull that steel core out before you hit the scale!

Prep and Sorting Guide for the Scale

To get that clean EC price, your wire needs to look practically brand new. Here is how veteran scrappers prep their loads:

  • Strip It Completely: Every single millimeter of plastic insulation must be removed. Using a mechanical wire stripper is the most efficient way to handle high volumes. Burning wire is bad for the environment and usually illegal.
  • Zero Contamination: The wire must be bare, uncoated, and unalloyed. No grease, no oil, no tape, and no paint. Even heavy oxidation (weathering) or ash from burning can cause a buyer to drop the price.
  • Cut the Ends: Make sure to snip off any brass or steel connectors, lugs, or heavily corroded tips. EC stands for clean, pure aluminum only.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the current average price for Aluminum Wire (EC / Clean)?

Nationwide data shows an average price of $1.18. However, this fluctuates based on the LME market, usually hovering roughly 45.1% below the spot price depending on the processing overhead of local buyers.

What makes EC aluminum different from other grades?

EC stands for Electrical Conductor, typically made from 1350 alloy, which is 99.5% pure aluminum. Its high conductivity and purity make it much more valuable than standard alloys or cast pieces.

Why did my stripped aluminum wire get downgraded at the scale?

If you left even a tiny piece of insulation, some electrical tape, a steel connector, or the inner steel core from an ACSR cable, the yard will buy it as a dirty or irony grade. Total purity is absolutely required to get the top EC price.