Price trends for electric motors by grade

over the last 90 days

In the last 3 months in the Electric Motors category: price is up for 4 grades and price is steady for 6 grades.

How Have Prices Moved Over the Last 52 Weeks?
Over the past year, the category average ranged from $0.16 to $0.24.
Jun '25Sep '25Dec '25Mar '26Today
How Yard Prices Track the Exchange (COMEX)
Average discount to the exchange for this category: ~95.6% (-$4.80/ lb). Based on 10 grades with exchange data. Normal range for this category: 93%–98%.
✓ All 10 grades are within normal market range

U.S. National Price Benchmark — Electric Motors in New Jersey

Local scrap yards in New Jersey 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. Electric Motors prices across the U.S. →

Electric Motors scrap prices by grade in New Jersey

Here is the Electric Motors data we have on file for New Jersey. 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 Based on 3 yards
Avg. Price:$0.43/ lbRange: $0.30 – $0.55/ lb
Trend for 30 days: 0.0%
View Details
+7.5% / 6 mo.
Automotive Alternators Based on 3 yards
Avg. Price:$0.33/ lbRange: $0.30 – $0.35/ lb
Trend for 6 mo.: +7.5%
View Details
+7.7% / 90 days
Automotive AC Compressors U.S. national average
Avg. Price:$0.30/ lbRange: $0.25 – $0.35/ lb
Trend for 90 days: +7.7%
View Details
Automotive Starters Based on 2 yards
Avg. Price:$0.29/ lbRange: $0.28 – $0.30/ lb
Trend for 30 days: 0.0%
View Details
+4.0% / 6 mo.
Copper Electric Motors Based on 5 yards
Avg. Price:$0.28/ lbRange: $0.25 – $0.30/ lb
Trend for 6 mo.: +4.0%
View Details
+7.5% / 6 mo.
Avg. Price:$0.25/ lbRange: $0.20 – $0.30/ lb
Trend for 6 mo.: +7.5%
View Details
Avg. Price:$0.18/ lbRange: $0.15 – $0.20/ lb
Trend for 30 days: 0.0%
View Details
Aluminum & Dirty Motors Based on 1 yard
Avg. Price:$0.08/ lbRange: $0.08 – $0.08/ lb
Trend for 30 days: 0.0%
View Details
Avg. Price:$0.05/ lbRange: $0.05 – $0.05/ lb
Trend for 30 days: 0.0%
View Details
Avg. Price:$0.05/ lbRange: $0.05 – $0.05/ lb
Trend for 30 days: 0.0%
View Details

Scrap yards paying the most for electric motors in New Jersey

Live prices from local scrap yards in New Jersey. 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 5/22/2026

ADJ Metals

Keyport, New Jersey4 grades on price list
Electric Motors
$0.25/ lb|🠇 $0.01 (4%)
Sealed Units/Compressors
$0.20/ lb|🠅 $0.05 (33%)
Alternators/Starters
$0.26/ lb|🠅 $0.13 (100%)
Copper Transformers
$0.55/ lb|🠅 $0.10 (22%)
Updated 4/14/2026

Rockaway Recycling

Rockaway, New Jersey6 grades on price list
Small Electric Motors
$0.30/ lb|🠅 $0.05 (20%)
Sealed Units
$0.30/ lb|🠅 $0.02 (7%)
Alternators/Starters
$0.35/ lb|🠅 $0.05 (17%)
Copper Transformers
$0.21/ lb|🠇 $0.15 (42%)
Aluminum Transformers
$0.05/ lb|🠇 $0.18 (78%)
Scrap Generators
$0.05/ lb|🠇 $0.01 (17%)
Updated 3/3/2026

Southard Scrap Metal

Rockaway Township, New Jersey6 grades on price list
ELECTRIC MOTORS
$0.25/ lb|🠇 $0.01 (4%)
SEALED UNITS
$0.28/ lb|🠅 $0.04 (17%)
ALTERNATORS
$0.35/ lb|🠇 $0.05 (13%)
STARTERS
$0.28/ lb
CPR TRANSFORMER
$0.35/ lb|🠅 $0.07 (25%)
BALLAST
$0.20/ lb
Updated 2/17/2026

RAW Recycling

Roxbury Township, New Jersey6 grades on price list
LARGE ELECTRIC MOTORS
$0.10/ lb|🠇 $0.15 (60%)
SEALED UNITS
$0.22/ lb|🠇 $0.03 (12%)
ALTERNATORS
$0.30/ lb
STARTERS (ALUMINUM NOSE)
$0.30/ lb
COPPER TRANSFORMERS
$0.21/ lb|🠅 $0.11 (110%)
COPPER BALLAST
$0.15/ lb
Updated 2/17/2026

Sgt. Scrap

Pennsauken Township, New Jersey5 grades on price list
Motors
$0.25/ lb|🠅 $0.07 (39%)
Motors – Dirty
$0.08/ lb|🠇 $0.02 (20%)
Sealed Units
$0.20/ lb|🠅 $0.10 (100%)
Copper Trans.
$0.30/ lb|🠇 $0.05 (14%)
Light Ballast
$0.16/ lb|🠅 $0.02 (14%)
Updated 2/17/2026

NJ Scrap Metal and Recycling Center

Plumsted Township, New Jersey3 grades on price list
Electric Motors
$0.20/ lb|🠅 $0.02 (11%)
Sealed Unit
$0.20/ lb|🠅 $0.02 (11%)
Ballast
$0.10/ lb|🠅 $0.02 (25%)

Don't see your scrap yard in New Jersey? List it for free.

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Price chart: electric motors grades and COMEX Copper exchange data

The chart shows average yard buyout rates and COMEX Copper exchange data for your selected electric motors 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 electric motors 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 New Jersey.

Select a metal above to estimate value

Compare electric motors grades and their value

Electric motor pricing correlates with COMEX Copper because the primary value driver is the copper winding content. Aluminum-wound motors track LME Aluminum instead. Identifying your material correctly before selling is the single most effective step to maximize your payout.

GradeExchange (100%)Yard Price (per lb)Grade Quality
Copper Transformers $6.49/ lb COMEX$0.43/ lb
High Grade7%
Automotive Alternators $6.49/ lb COMEX$0.33/ lb
Mid Grade5%
Aluminum & Dirty Motors $1.60/ lb LME$0.08/ lb
Mid Grade5%
Automotive AC Compressors $6.49/ lb COMEX$0.30/ lb
Mid Grade5%
Automotive Starters $6.49/ lb COMEX$0.29/ lb
Mid Grade4%
Copper Electric Motors $6.49/ lb COMEX$0.28/ lb
Mid Grade4%
Sealed Unit Compressors (Appliance) $6.49/ lb COMEX$0.25/ lb
Low Grade4%
Aluminum & Steel Transformers $1.60/ lb LME$0.05/ lb
Low Grade3%
Scrap Engines & Transmissions $1.60/ lb LME$0.05/ lb
Low Grade3%
Light Ballasts & Power Supplies $6.49/ lb COMEX$0.18/ lb
Low Grade3%

📊 What determines the value of electric motors:

  • Copper electric motors: The benchmark grade — 100% copper windings. Largest volume class at most yards. Priced by the pound with COMEX Copper as basis.
  • Aluminum & dirty motors: Mixed or aluminum-wound motors with attached housings and debris — discounted vs. clean copper motors.
  • Copper transformers: Larger, heavier copper coils — often bring a premium per pound vs. standard motors because of higher copper density.
  • Aluminum & steel transformers: Aluminum-wound; priced at aluminum motor rates, significantly below copper transformers.
  • Automotive alternators & starters: Priced as a separate motor category — payout per unit rather than per pound at some yards.
💡 Tip: Ask your yard whether they buy motors 'as-is' or 'cut open' — sometimes dismantling the motor yourself yields more money per pound of copper.