Insulated Copper Wire Scrap Price Trends

over the last 6 months

In the last 6 months in the Insulated Copper Wire category: price is up for 2 grades, price is steady for 5 grades, and price is down for 6 grades.

How Have Prices Moved Over the Last 52 Weeks?
Over the past year, the category average ranged from $1.07 to $1.69.
May '25Aug '25Nov '25Feb '26Today
How Yard Prices Track the Exchange (COMEX)
Average discount to the exchange for this category: ~73.0% (-$4.44 / lb). Based on 13 grades with exchange data. Normal range for this category: 33%–96%.
✓ All 13 grades are within normal market range

U.S. National Price Benchmark — Insulated Copper Wire 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. Insulated Copper Wire prices across the U.S. →

Current Insulated Copper Wire Prices in Virginia by Grade

Here is the Insulated Copper Wire 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.

MCM & Industrial Cable U.S. national average
Avg. Price:$4.03 / lbRange: $3.80 – $4.25 / lb
Trend for 30 days: -1.3%
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THHN Wire U.S. national average
Avg. Price:$3.40 / lbRange: $2.95 – $3.85 / lb
Trend for 30 days: -8.4%
View Details
Coax & Heliax Cable U.S. national average
Avg. Price:$2.18 / lbRange: $2.10 – $2.25 / lb
Trend for 90 days: -3.7%
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Romex® Wire Based on 2 yards
Avg. Price:$2.13 / lbRange: $2.00 – $2.25 / lb
Trend for 30 days: 0.0%
View Details
#1 Insulated Wire Based on 3 yards
Avg. Price:$2.10 / lbRange: $1.70 – $2.50 / lb
Trend for 6 mo.: -10.1%
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Telecom & Data Wire U.S. national average
Avg. Price:$1.83 / lbRange: $1.45 – $2.20 / lb
Trend for 30 days: -10.3%
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#2 Insulated Wire Based on 4 yards
Avg. Price:$1.50 / lbRange: $1.20 – $1.80 / lb
Trend for 6 mo.: -7.8%
View Details
Jelly Wire U.S. national average
Avg. Price:$1.10 / lbRange: $0.90 – $1.30 / lb
Trend for 6 mo.: -10.9%
View Details
+28.0% / 6 mo.
Avg. Price:$0.75 / lbRange: $0.50 – $1.00 / lb
Trend for 6 mo.: +28.0%
View Details
+22.9% / 30 days
Armored Cable (BX) U.S. national average
Avg. Price:$0.75 / lbRange: $0.50 – $1.00 / lb
Trend for 30 days: +22.9%
View Details
Wire Harnesses Based on 1 yard
Avg. Price:$0.75 / lbRange: $0.75 – $0.75 / lb
Trend for 30 days: 0.0%
View Details
Computer Wire U.S. national average
Avg. Price:$0.65 / lbRange: $0.40 – $0.90 / lb
Trend for 30 days: 0.0%
View Details
Christmas Lights Based on 2 yards
Avg. Price:$0.25 / lbRange: $0.20 – $0.30 / lb
Trend for 30 days: 0.0%
View Details

Where to Sell Insulated Copper Wire for Top Dollar 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 5/4/2026

Three Rivers Iron Metal

Fairmont, West Virginia4 grades on price list
Regular-Insulated Copper #1
$1.70 / lb|🠇 $0.30 (15%)
Regular-Insulated Copper #2
$1.10 / lb|🠅 $0.10 (10%)
Low-Yield Insulated Copper
$0.50 / lb|🠅 $0.10 (25%)
Copper Insulated Housewire
$1.70 / lb|🠇 $0.20 (11%)
Updated 5/4/2026

Charleston Area Metal Recycling

Charleston, West Virginia3 grades on price list
Regular-Insulated Copper #1
$1.30 / lb|🠅 $0.10 (8%)
Regular-Insulated Copper #2
$1.10 / lb|🠅 $0.10 (10%)
Low-Yield Insulated Copper
$0.50 / lb|🠅 $0.10 (25%)
Updated 3/4/2026

Ashley Metal Recycling LLC

Mineral Wells, West Virginia2 grades on price list
Insulated Copper Wire # 1
$1.40 / lb|🠅 $0.20 (17%)
Insulated Copper (Christmas lights)
$0.20 / lb
Updated 2/17/2026

Empire Metal Recycling

Suffolk, Virginia5 grades on price list
#2 Insulated Copper (Drop Cords)
$1.00 / lb|🠅 $0.60 (150%)
#3 Insulated Copper
$0.30 / lb|🠇 $0.10 (25%)
#1 Insulated Copper (Romex 65%)
$2.00 / lb|🠅 $0.47 (31%)
Wire Harness
$0.75 / lb|🠇 $0.10 (12%)
XMAS Copper Wire
$0.30 / lb|🠅 $0.20 (200%)
Updated 2/17/2026

Elkins Metal Recycling

Elkins, West Virginia3 grades on price list
Insulated Copper #1
$2.00 / lb|🠅 $0.10 (5%)
Insulated Copper #2
$1.20 / lb|🠅 $0.10 (9%)
Insulated Copper (Low)
$0.60 / lb|🠅 $0.10 (20%)
Updated 2/17/2026

West Virginia Cashin Recyclables

Nitro, West Virginia2 grades on price list
Insulated #2
$1.80 / lb|🠅 $0.20 (13%)
Insulated #3
$0.60 / lb|🠇 $0.10 (14%)

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Insulated Copper Wire 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.

Insulated Wire Value & Recovery 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

Wire Recovery Rates: How Much Copper Is Inside?

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
MCM & Industrial Cable $6.09 COMEX$4.03
High Grade66%
THHN Wire $6.09 COMEX$3.40
High Grade56%
Coax & Heliax Cable $6.09 COMEX$2.18
Mid Grade36%
Romex® Wire $6.09 COMEX$2.13
Mid Grade35%
#1 Insulated Wire $6.09 COMEX$2.10
Mid Grade34%
Telecom & Data Wire $6.09 COMEX$1.83
Mid Grade30%
#2 Insulated Wire $6.09 COMEX$1.50
Low Grade25%
Jelly Wire $6.09 COMEX$1.10
Low Grade18%
#3 Insulated Wire (Low Grade) $6.09 COMEX$0.75
Low Grade12%
Armored Cable (BX) $6.09 COMEX$0.75
Low Grade12%
Wire Harnesses $6.09 COMEX$0.75
Low Grade12%
Computer Wire $6.09 COMEX$0.65
Low Grade11%
Christmas Lights $6.09 COMEX$0.25
Low Grade4%

📊 What Determines Grade Value:

  • Copper Recovery Percentage: The ratio of actual copper weight to plastic insulation weight is the #1 factor. Grades like THHN Wire have high recovery and command better prices.
  • Wire Gauge: Thicker individual strands (found in #1 Insulated) are easier for processors to granulate than hair-thin strands.
  • Contamination: Attachments like plugs, steel armor on Armored Cable (BX), or jelly filling in Jelly Wire increase processing costs.
  • Metal Purity: Whether the copper inside is silver-coated (tinned) or clean red copper determines if it stays at a #1 or drops to a #2 grade.
💡 Pro tip: Never mix your high-recovery MCM & Industrial Cable with thin Telecom & Data Wire. Most yards will grade the entire bin at the lowest recovery rate, potentially losing you a significant percentage of your payout.