Price trends for e-scrap and compressors by grade

over the last 6 months

In the last 6 months in the E-Scrap & Compressors category: price is up for 3 grades, price is steady for 6 grades, and price is down for 1 grade.

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: ~94.9% (-$4.71/ lb). Based on 10 grades with exchange data. Normal range for this category: 86%–99%.
✓ All 10 grades are within normal market range

U.S. National Price Benchmark — E-Scrap & Compressors 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. E-Scrap & Compressors prices across the U.S. →

E-Scrap & Compressors scrap prices by grade in Virginia

Here is the E-Scrap & Compressors 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
+5.5% / 90 days
Automotive AC Compressors U.S. national average
Avg. Price:$0.30/ lbRange: $0.25 – $0.35/ lb
Trend for 90 days: +5.5%
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
+60.0% / 6 mo.
Avg. Price:$0.20/ lbRange: $0.10 – $0.30/ lb
Trend for 6 mo.: +60.0%
View Details
+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

Scrap yards paying the most for e-scrap and compressors 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
Small Copper Electric Motors
$0.30/ lb|🠅 $0.08 (36%)
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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Price chart: e-scrap and compressors grades and COMEX Copper exchange data

The chart shows average yard buyout rates and COMEX Copper exchange data for your selected e-scrap and compressors grade. When the exchange moves up and local yard prices lag, they typically follow within a few trading days — a signal to hold if you can. When both lines drop, sell now before yards update their offers downward. Switch grades using the selector above the chart.

Calculate the value of your e-scrap and compressors lot

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

Compare e-scrap and compressors grades and their value

Compressor and motor copper content tracks COMEX Copper. E-scrap (circuit boards, CPUs) has a separate precious-metal-based valuation. Identifying your material correctly before selling is the single most effective step to maximize your payout.

GradeExchange (100%)Yard Price (per lb)Grade Quality
Aluminum & Dirty Motors $1.14/ lb LME$0.16/ lb
High Grade14%
Aluminum & Steel Transformers $1.14/ lb LME$0.13/ lb
High Grade11%
Scrap Engines & Transmissions $1.14/ lb LME$0.10/ lb
Mid Grade9%
Copper Transformers $6.60/ lb COMEX$0.45/ lb
Mid Grade7%
Automotive Alternators $6.60/ lb COMEX$0.40/ lb
Mid Grade6%
Automotive Starters $6.60/ lb COMEX$0.40/ lb
Mid Grade6%
Automotive AC Compressors $6.60/ lb COMEX$0.30/ lb
Low Grade5%
Copper Electric Motors $6.60/ lb COMEX$0.28/ lb
Low Grade4%
Sealed Unit Compressors (Appliance) $6.60/ lb COMEX$0.20/ lb
Low Grade3%
Light Ballasts & Power Supplies $6.60/ lb COMEX$0.13/ lb
Low Grade2%

📊 What determines the value of e-scrap and compressors:

  • Sealed unit compressors (appliance): Refrigerator and AC compressors — priced on their copper winding content. AC compressors pay more than refrigerator units.
  • Automotive AC compressors: Separate grade; aluminum housing means lower copper yield but still a solid per-unit price at most yards.
  • E-scrap boards: Circuit boards contain gold, silver, and palladium. Require specialty e-recyclers — general scrap yards may not pay the full precious-metal value.
  • Power supplies & light ballasts: Contain copper transformers and aluminum. Priced as a mixed lot; separate if copper transformers are intact.
💡 Tip: Don't mix PC boards with motors or compressors — e-scrap with precious metals needs a separate e-recycler for the best return.