Price trends for electric motors by grade

over the last 30 days

In the last month in the Electric Motors category: price is up for 4 grades, price is steady for 4 grades, and price is down for 2 grades.

How Have Prices Moved Over the Last 52 Weeks?
Over the past year, the category average ranged from $0.17 to $0.28.
Jun '25Sep '25Dec '25Mar '26Today
How Yard Prices Track the Exchange (COMEX)
Average discount to the exchange for this category: ~94.0% (-$4.72/ lb). Based on 10 grades with exchange data. Normal range for this category: 90%–97%.
✓ All 10 grades are within normal market range

Electric Motors scrap prices by grade in the US

Copper-wound motors pay the most; aluminum-wound and mixed motors receive lower rates. Click any grade to get a detailed price chart, market analysis, and a list of yards currently paying the most.

+5.6% / 90 days
Automotive Starters Based on 4 yards
Avg. Price:$0.50/ lbRange: $0.45 – $0.55/ lb
Trend for 90 days: +5.6%
View Details
+6.7% / 6 mo.
Automotive Alternators Based on 17 yards
Avg. Price:$0.48/ lbRange: $0.35 – $0.60/ lb
Trend for 6 mo.: +6.7%
View Details
Copper Transformers Based on 8 yards
Avg. Price:$0.45/ lbRange: $0.35 – $0.55/ lb
Trend for 90 days: +1.4%
View Details
Avg. Price:$0.35/ lbRange: $0.30 – $0.40/ lb
Trend for 30 days: -2.6%
View Details
Copper Electric Motors Based on 4 yards
Avg. Price:$0.33/ lbRange: $0.30 – $0.35/ lb
Trend for 30 days: 0.1%
View Details
+7.7% / 90 days
Automotive AC Compressors Based on 5 yards
Avg. Price:$0.30/ lbRange: $0.25 – $0.35/ lb
Trend for 90 days: +7.7%
View Details
Avg. Price:$0.21/ lbRange: $0.12 – $0.30/ lb
Trend for 30 days: 0.0%
View Details
+40.0% / 30 days
Aluminum & Dirty Motors Based on 4 yards
Avg. Price:$0.16/ lbRange: $0.09 – $0.22/ lb
Trend for 30 days: +40.0%
View Details
Avg. Price:$0.14/ lbRange: $0.10 – $0.18/ lb
Trend for 30 days: -13.8%
View Details
Avg. Price:$0.13/ lbRange: $0.10 – $0.15/ lb
Trend for 30 days: 0.0%
View Details

Scrap yards paying the most for electric motors in the US

Live prices from local scrap yards across the U.S.. 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 today

Stuff Recycling

Winchester, Kentucky5 grades on price list
Electric Motors (No Attachments)
$0.30/ lb
Sealed Units
$0.25/ lb
Alternators
$0.55/ lb|🠇 $0.05 (8%)
Starters
$0.45/ lb
Auto Compressor
$0.35/ lb|🠅 $0.05 (17%)
Updated today

Sal B Scrap Metal Recycling

Marinette, Wisconsin5 grades on price list
Unstripped Electric Motors
$0.20/ lb|🠇 $0.03 (13%)
Aluminum Motors
$0.15/ lb
Alternators
$0.20/ lb|🠇 $0.05 (20%)
Starters
$0.20/ lb|🠇 $0.05 (20%)
Aluminum Transmissions
$0.08/ lb|🠇 $0.07 (47%)
Updated today

McCoy Iron & Metal

Springfield, Missouri4 grades on price list
Dirty Motors
$0.10/ lb
Compressors
$0.20/ lb|🠅 $0.05 (33%)
Alternators
$0.50/ lb|🠅 $0.20 (67%)
Starters
$0.35/ lb|🠅 $0.10 (40%)
Updated 6/13/2026

Western Oklahoma Metal Recycling LLC

Weatherford, Oklahoma4 grades on price list
Clean Motors
$0.20/ lb|🠅 $0.02 (11%)
Compressors
$0.40/ lb|🠅 $0.05 (14%)
Alternators
$0.45/ lb
Aluminum Nose Starter
$0.45/ lb|🠅 $0.10 (29%)
Updated 6/6/2026

Brenner Recycling

Hazleton, Pennsylvania1 grade on price list
Copper Electric Motors
$0.35/ lb|🠇 $0.05 (13%)
Updated 6/5/2026

Edge Metals Recycling

Tampa, Florida7 grades on price list
Big Electric Motors
$0.25/ lb|🠇 $0.08 (24%)
Steel Motors
$0.09/ lb|🠇 $0.11 (55%)
AC Compressors
$0.32/ lb|🠅 $0.04 (14%)
Alternators
$0.55/ lb|🠅 $0.37 (206%)
Semi Starter
$0.45/ lb|🠅 $0.25 (125%)
Ballast
$0.20/ lb|🠅 $0.08 (67%)
Transmissions
$0.18/ lb|🠅 $0.01 (6%)

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Hundreds of people search for the best scrap prices across the U.S. every day. Add your yard and start capturing those leads.

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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 across the U.S..

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
Aluminum & Dirty Motors $1.60/ lb LME$0.16/ lb
High Grade10%
Scrap Engines & Transmissions $1.60/ lb LME$0.14/ lb
High Grade9%
Aluminum & Steel Transformers $1.60/ lb LME$0.13/ lb
High Grade8%
Automotive Starters $6.49/ lb COMEX$0.50/ lb
High Grade8%
Automotive Alternators $6.49/ lb COMEX$0.48/ lb
Mid Grade7%
Copper Transformers $6.49/ lb COMEX$0.45/ lb
Mid Grade7%
Sealed Unit Compressors (Appliance) $6.49/ lb COMEX$0.35/ lb
Mid Grade5%
Copper Electric Motors $6.49/ lb COMEX$0.33/ lb
Low Grade5%
Automotive AC Compressors $6.49/ lb COMEX$0.30/ lb
Low Grade5%
Light Ballasts & Power Supplies $6.49/ lb COMEX$0.21/ 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.