Current Prices for Scrap Wire Harnesses in the US
Wire Harnesses are currently pulling a national average of $1.69 per pound. Check the local yard prices in the US below to see what buyers are paying before you haul your automotive wire to the scale.
Average Wire Harnesses Price
- Low (up to $1.55): Floor price, typically for small loads.
- Mid ($1.69): A fair deal for standard quantities.
- High ($1.80+): Top-dollar rate. Offered for large commercial loads or by the most competitive buyers.
Pricing verified from 14 live board rates today.
Top Scrap Yards Buying Wire Harnesses US
Don't let your automotive wiring get downgraded to the lowest tier. Compare the payouts from these local buyers in the US, ensure you've clipped off the heavy fuse boxes, and always call ahead to lock in their current rates.
Cable Management
Sgt. Scrap
Sgt. Scrap
Conservit, Inc.
E-Z Money Recycling LLC
E-Z Money Recycling LLC
Your competitors are already here. Is your yard missing from the list?
Hundreds of people search here every day for the best scrap metal prices. Start capturing ready-to-sell leads today.
🚀 List your scrap yard ⟶Wire Harnesses vs. Other Insulated Copper
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.
Wire Harnesses Historical Price Trends
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.
Wire Harnesses: Scrap Yard Price vs. World Market (COMEX)
Avg scrap yard price
World market price (COMEX)
Wire Harnesses: Spread vs. Exchange — Monthly History
| Period | World price (per lb) | Scrap yard price (per lb) | Spread vs. exchange |
|---|---|---|---|
| March 2026 (current) | $5.764324 | $2.55 | -$3.22 (55.8%) |
| February 2026 | $5.880136 | $2.03 | -$3.85 (65.5%) |
| January 2026 | $5.894887 | $2.62 | -$3.27 (55.5%) |
| December 2025 | $5.497742 | $1.77 | -$3.73 (67.8%) |
| November 2025 | $5.064033 | $1.68 | -$3.39 (66.9%) |
| October 2025 | $5.050242 | $1.64 | -$3.41 (67.6%) |
| September 2025 | $4.662367 | $1.86 | -$2.80 (60%) |
| August 2025 | $4.477984 | $1.72 | -$2.76 (61.5%) |
| July 2025 | $5.482645 | $1.78 | -$3.70 (67.5%) |
| June 2025 | $4.883233 | $2.54 | -$2.34 (48%) |
| May 2025 | $4.686194 | $2.33 | -$2.36 (50.3%) |
| April 2025 | $4.654267 | $1.61 | -$3.05 (65.5%) |
| March 2025 | $4.919484 | $2.50 | -$2.42 (49.3%) |
| February 2025 | $4.558107 | $1.73 | -$2.83 (62.1%) |
| January 2025 | $4.269774 | $1.94 | -$2.33 (54.6%) |
| December 2024 | $4.157855 | $2.20 | -$1.96 (47.2%) |
| November 2024 | $4.199383 | $2.12 | -$2.08 (49.6%) |
| October 2024 | $4.431839 | $2.66 | -$1.77 (40%) |
| September 2024 | $4.292683 | $1.48 | -$2.81 (65.4%) |
| August 2024 | $4.121839 | $2.16 | -$1.97 (47.7%) |
| July 2024 | $4.375242 | $1.60 | -$2.77 (63.3%) |
| June 2024 | $4.491083 | $2.20 | -$2.30 (51.1%) |
| May 2024 | $4.75471 | $2.34 | -$2.42 (50.8%) |
| April 2024 | $4.363717 | $2.23 | -$2.13 (48.9%) |
| March 2024 | $3.983645 | $2.36 | -$1.62 (40.7%) |
| February 2024 | $3.801776 | $1.76 | -$2.04 (53.7%) |
| January 2024 | $3.811306 | $2.29 | -$1.52 (40%) |
| December 2023 | $3.871226 | $1.85 | -$2.02 (52.2%) |
| November 2023 | $3.720817 | $2.23 | -$1.49 (40%) |
| October 2023 | $3.609306 | $1.82 | -$1.79 (49.7%) |
| September 2023 | $3.759833 | $2.01 | -$1.75 (46.6%) |
| August 2023 | $3.776097 | $2.27 | -$1.51 (40%) |
| July 2023 | $3.8455 | $2.31 | -$1.54 (40%) |
| June 2023 | $3.804983 | $2.28 | -$1.52 (40%) |
| May 2023 | $3.751484 | $1.74 | -$2.01 (53.6%) |
| April 2023 | $4.007367 | $2.34 | -$1.66 (41.5%) |
| March 2023 | $4.02821 | $2.01 | -$2.02 (50.2%) |
| February 2023 | $4.06475 | $2.04 | -$2.02 (49.8%) |
| January 2023 | $4.115113 | $2.02 | -$2.10 (51%) |
| December 2022 | $3.820726 | $1.97 | -$1.86 (48.6%) |
| November 2022 | $3.674017 | $1.74 | -$1.93 (52.7%) |
| October 2022 | $3.430419 | $2.06 | -$1.37 (40%) |
| September 2022 | $3.455283 | $1.68 | -$1.77 (51.3%) |
| August 2022 | $3.616468 | $1.58 | -$2.04 (56.3%) |
| July 2022 | $3.4195 | $1.96 | -$1.46 (42.7%) |
| June 2022 | $4.118667 | $2.17 | -$1.95 (47.3%) |
| May 2022 | $4.257274 | $1.74 | -$2.51 (59.1%) |
| April 2022 | $4.649533 | $2.79 | -$1.86 (40%) |
| March 2022 | $4.707694 | $2.83 | -$1.88 (40%) |
| February 2022 | $4.502304 | $2.70 | -$1.80 (40%) |
| January 2022 | $4.4345 | $1.72 | -$2.71 (61.1%) |
| December 2021 | $4.332226 | $2.46 | -$1.88 (43.3%) |
| November 2021 | $4.367567 | $1.86 | -$2.51 (57.5%) |
| October 2021 | $4.432371 | $2.28 | -$2.15 (48.5%) |
| September 2021 | $4.2864 | $2.15 | -$2.14 (49.8%) |
| August 2021 | $4.302984 | $2.44 | -$1.86 (43.3%) |
| July 2021 | $4.347452 | $1.85 | -$2.50 (57.6%) |
| June 2021 | $4.388783 | $2.18 | -$2.21 (50.4%) |
| May 2021 | $4.618871 | $2.77 | -$1.85 (40%) |
| April 2021 | $4.192633 | $1.90 | -$2.29 (54.7%) |
| March 2021 | $4.084726 | $2.14 | -$1.94 (47.6%) |
| February 2021 | $3.861 | $2.32 | -$1.54 (40%) |
| January 2021 | $3.607435 | $1.83 | -$1.78 (49.3%) |
| December 2020 | $3.546903 | $2.13 | -$1.42 (40%) |
| November 2020 | $3.21755 | $1.93 | -$1.29 (40%) |
| October 2020 | $3.060177 | $1.24 | -$1.82 (59.5%) |
| September 2020 | $3.0352 | $1.54 | -$1.49 (49.2%) |
| August 2020 | $2.909726 | $1.47 | -$1.44 (49.3%) |
| July 2020 | $2.867581 | $1.72 | -$1.15 (40%) |
| June 2020 | $2.5983 | $1.56 | -$1.04 (40%) |
| May 2020 | $2.377403 | $1.43 | -$0.95 (40%) |
| April 2020 | $2.28595 | $1.37 | -$0.91 (40%) |
| March 2020 | $2.356968 | $1.41 | -$0.94 (40%) |
| February 2020 | $2.574707 | $1.54 | -$1.03 (40.1%) |
| January 2020 | $2.759935 | $1.66 | -$1.10 (40%) |
| December 2019 | $2.774145 | $1.35 | -$1.42 (51.2%) |
| November 2019 | $2.660717 | $1.60 | -$1.06 (40%) |
| October 2019 | $2.621613 | $1.30 | -$1.33 (50.5%) |
| September 2019 | $2.615533 | $1.35 | -$1.26 (48.3%) |
| August 2019 | $2.576597 | $1.26 | -$1.31 (50.9%) |
| July 2019 | $2.693468 | $1.62 | -$1.08 (40%) |
| June 2019 | $2.671833 | $1.60 | -$1.07 (40%) |
| May 2019 | $2.7395 | $1.64 | -$1.10 (40%) |
| April 2019 | $2.914283 | $1.50 | -$1.42 (48.7%) |
| March 2019 | $2.902032 | $1.74 | -$1.16 (40%) |
| February 2019 | $2.845929 | $1.71 | -$1.14 (40%) |
| January 2019 | $2.675468 | $1.61 | -$1.07 (40%) |
| December 2018 | $2.724823 | $1.64 | -$1.09 (40%) |
| November 2018 | $2.7578 | $1.65 | -$1.10 (40%) |
| October 2018 | $2.768435 | $1.66 | -$1.11 (40%) |
| September 2018 | $2.712817 | $1.63 | -$1.09 (40%) |
| August 2018 | $2.706081 | $1.62 | -$1.08 (40%) |
| July 2018 | $2.807597 | $1.69 | -$1.12 (40%) |
| June 2018 | $3.1238 | $1.59 | -$1.53 (49%) |
| May 2018 | $3.080177 | $1.85 | -$1.23 (40%) |
| April 2018 | $3.08635 | $1.57 | -$1.51 (49%) |
| March 2018 | $3.080758 | $1.85 | -$1.23 (40%) |
| February 2018 | $3.17875 | $1.91 | -$1.27 (40%) |
| January 2018 | $3.215161 | $1.93 | -$1.29 (40%) |
| December 2017 | $3.134855 | $1.88 | -$1.25 (40%) |
| November 2017 | $3.105817 | $1.86 | -$1.24 (40%) |
| October 2017 | $3.103887 | $1.86 | -$1.24 (40%) |
| September 2017 | $3.00865 | $1.80 | -$1.20 (40%) |
| August 2017 | $2.957097 | $1.77 | -$1.18 (40%) |
| July 2017 | $2.732484 | $1.47 | -$1.26 (46.3%) |
| June 2017 | $2.605467 | $1.42 | -$1.19 (45.6%) |
| May 2017 | $2.556677 | $1.46 | -$1.09 (42.7%) |
| April 2017 | $2.595367 | $1.56 | -$1.04 (40%) |
| March 2017 | $2.653452 | $1.59 | -$1.06 (40.1%) |
| February 2017 | $2.69925 | $1.62 | -$1.08 (40%) |
| January 2017 | $2.622903 | $1.57 | -$1.05 (40%) |
| December 2016 | $2.567774 | $1.49 | -$1.08 (41.9%) |
| November 2016 | $2.478267 | $1.33 | -$1.15 (46.4%) |
| October 2016 | $2.148903 | $1.29 | -$0.86 (40%) |
| September 2016 | $2.139533 | $1.28 | -$0.86 (40%) |
| August 2016 | $2.14129 | $1.29 | -$0.86 (40%) |
| July 2016 | $2.210419 | $1.33 | -$0.88 (40%) |
| June 2016 | $2.093733 | $1.26 | -$0.84 (40%) |
| May 2016 | $2.111387 | $1.13 | -$0.98 (46.4%) |
| April 2016 | $2.183033 | $1.31 | -$0.87 (40%) |
| March 2016 | $2.24029 | $1.19 | -$1.05 (47.1%) |
| February 2016 | $2.076759 | $1.09 | -$0.99 (47.5%) |
| January 2016 | $2.022419 | $1.21 | -$0.81 (40%) |
| December 2015 | $2.094355 | $1.26 | -$0.84 (40%) |
| November 2015 | $2.150933 | $1.29 | -$0.86 (40%) |
| October 2015 | $2.368065 | $1.42 | -$0.95 (40%) |
| September 2015 | $2.360633 | $1.42 | -$0.94 (40%) |
| August 2015 | $2.326516 | $1.40 | -$0.93 (39.9%) |
| July 2015 | $2.490129 | $1.50 | -$0.99 (39.9%) |
| June 2015 | $2.6549 | $1.43 | -$1.23 (46.2%) |
| May 2015 | $2.866032 | $1.51 | -$1.36 (47.4%) |
| April 2015 | $2.745367 | $1.65 | -$1.10 (40%) |
| March 2015 | $2.697548 | $1.62 | -$1.08 (40%) |
| February 2015 | $2.600036 | $1.35 | -$1.25 (48.2%) |
| January 2015 | $2.636548 | $1.58 | -$1.05 (40%) |
| December 2014 | $2.877161 | $1.55 | -$1.33 (46.1%) |
| November 2014 | $2.993826 | $1.77 | -$1.23 (41%) |
Wire Harnesses 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.
| Date | Avg price (per lb) | Change | Range (Low/High) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3/4/2026 | $1.68 / lb | +$0.01 | $1.58 - $1.73 |
| 2/17/2026 | $1.67 / lb | +$1.07 | $1.55 - $1.80 |
| 2/11/2026 | $0.60 / lb | -$1.10 | $0.60 - $0.60 |
| 1/15/2026 | $1.70 / lb | +$0.10 | $1.70 - $1.70 |
| 1/12/2026 | $1.60 / lb | -$0.05 | $1.60 - $1.60 |
| 1/7/2026 | $1.65 / lb | +$0.05 | $1.65 - $1.65 |
| 12/31/2025 | $1.60 / lb | — no change | $1.60 - $1.60 |
| 12/19/2025 | $1.60 / lb | +$0.30 | $1.60 - $1.60 |
| 12/12/2025 | $1.30 / lb | -$0.34 | $1.30 - $1.30 |
| 12/6/2025 | $1.64 / lb | — no change | $1.64 - $1.64 |
| 11/29/2025 | $1.64 / lb | +$0.05 | $1.64 - $1.64 |
| 11/20/2025 | $1.59 / lb | +$0.14 | $1.57 - $1.60 |
| 11/11/2025 | $1.45 / lb | -$0.02 | $1.45 - $1.45 |
| 11/5/2025 | $1.47 / lb | -$0.23 | $1.47 - $1.47 |
| 11/3/2025 | $1.70 / lb | +$0.05 | $1.70 - $1.70 |
| 10/28/2025 | $1.65 / lb | +$0.20 | $1.65 - $1.65 |
| 10/24/2025 | $1.45 / lb | +$0.50 | $1.45 - $1.45 |
| 10/13/2025 | $0.95 / lb | -$0.57 | $0.95 - $0.95 |
| 10/11/2025 | $1.52 / lb | +$0.02 | $1.47 - $1.55 |
| 10/10/2025 | $1.50 / lb | +$0.05 | $1.50 - $1.50 |
| 10/6/2025 | $1.45 / lb | — no change | $1.45 - $1.45 |
| 10/4/2025 | $1.45 / lb | -$0.14 | $1.45 - $1.45 |
| 10/2/2025 | $1.59 / lb | +$0.16 | $1.59 - $1.59 |
| 9/18/2025 | $1.43 / lb | -$0.02 | $1.35 - $1.50 |
| 9/7/2025 | $1.45 / lb | +$0.15 | $1.45 - $1.45 |
| 9/2/2025 | $1.30 / lb | +$0.30 | $1.30 - $1.30 |
| 8/30/2025 | $1.00 / lb | +$0.31 | $1.00 - $1.00 |
| 8/29/2025 | $0.69 / lb | +$0.29 | $0.50 - $0.89 |
| 8/27/2025 | $0.40 / lb | -$0.85 | $0.40 - $0.40 |
| 8/26/2025 | $1.25 / lb | -$0.13 | $1.25 - $1.25 |
| 8/24/2025 | $1.38 / lb | -$0.02 | $1.35 - $1.40 |
| 8/23/2025 | $1.40 / lb | +$0.20 | $1.40 - $1.40 |
| 8/4/2025 | $1.20 / lb | +$0.36 | $1.20 - $1.20 |
| 7/31/2025 | $0.84 / lb | -$0.43 | $0.84 - $0.84 |
| 7/14/2025 | $1.27 / lb | -$0.03 | $1.27 - $1.27 |
| 7/9/2025 | $1.30 / lb | -$0.02 | $1.30 - $1.30 |
| 7/7/2025 | $1.32 / lb | -$0.02 | $1.32 - $1.32 |
| 7/1/2025 | $1.34 / lb | +$0.35 | $1.34 - $1.34 |
| 5/28/2025 | $0.99 / lb | +$0.09 | $0.88 - $1.10 |
| 4/30/2025 | $0.90 / lb | -$0.27 | $0.90 - $0.90 |
| 4/29/2025 | $1.17 / lb | -$0.08 | $1.17 - $1.17 |
| 4/21/2025 | $1.25 / lb | +$0.18 | $1.25 - $1.25 |
| 4/17/2025 | $1.07 / lb | -$0.33 | $1.07 - $1.07 |
| 3/19/2025 | $1.40 / lb | -$0.15 | $1.40 - $1.40 |
| 3/17/2025 | $1.55 / lb | +$0.50 | $1.55 - $1.55 |
| 2/21/2025 | $1.05 / lb | +$0.05 | $1.05 - $1.05 |
| 2/16/2025 | $1.00 / lb | -$0.40 | $1.00 - $1.00 |
| 2/14/2025 | $1.40 / lb | +$0.27 | $1.40 - $1.40 |
| 2/13/2025 | $1.13 / lb | -$0.37 | $1.13 - $1.13 |
| 2/10/2025 | $1.50 / lb | +$0.11 | $1.50 - $1.50 |
| 1/19/2025 | $1.39 / lb | +$0.09 | $1.39 - $1.39 |
| 1/9/2025 | $1.30 / lb | -$0.05 | $1.30 - $1.30 |
| 12/8/2024 | $1.35 / lb | +$0.30 | $1.35 - $1.35 |
| 11/13/2024 | $1.05 / lb | -$0.04 | $1.05 - $1.05 |
| 9/29/2024 | $1.09 / lb | -$0.27 | $1.09 - $1.09 |
| 9/26/2024 | $1.36 / lb | +$0.06 | $1.36 - $1.36 |
| 9/19/2024 | $1.30 / lb | +$0.35 | $1.30 - $1.30 |
| 9/14/2024 | $0.95 / lb | +$0.15 | $0.95 - $0.95 |
| 8/6/2024 | $0.80 / lb | — no change | $0.80 - $0.80 |
| 7/29/2024 | $0.80 / lb | -$0.15 | $0.80 - $0.80 |
| 7/24/2024 | $0.95 / lb | +$0.05 | $0.95 - $0.95 |
| 7/23/2024 | $0.90 / lb | -$0.05 | $0.90 - $0.90 |
| 7/20/2024 | $0.95 / lb | -$0.30 | $0.95 - $0.95 |
| 6/21/2024 | $1.25 / lb | +$0.15 | $1.25 - $1.25 |
| 6/19/2024 | $1.10 / lb | -$0.29 | $1.10 - $1.10 |
| 6/18/2024 | $1.39 / lb | +$0.04 | $1.39 - $1.39 |
| 5/26/2024 | $1.35 / lb | +$0.20 | $1.35 - $1.35 |
| 5/25/2024 | $1.15 / lb | +$0.05 | $1.15 - $1.15 |
| 4/14/2024 | $1.10 / lb | -$0.35 | $1.10 - $1.10 |
| 3/1/2024 | $1.45 / lb | +$0.69 | $1.45 - $1.45 |
| 2/26/2024 | $0.76 / lb | -$0.51 | $0.68 - $0.83 |
| 12/16/2023 | $1.27 / lb | +$0.17 | $1.27 - $1.27 |
| 12/11/2023 | $1.10 / lb | -$0.10 | $1.10 - $1.10 |
| 10/10/2023 | $1.20 / lb | +$0.52 | $1.20 - $1.20 |
| 10/2/2023 | $0.68 / lb | -$0.60 | $0.60 - $0.75 |
| 9/30/2023 | $1.28 / lb | +$0.98 | $1.28 - $1.28 |
| 5/15/2023 | $0.30 / lb | -$0.33 | $0.30 - $0.30 |
| 4/1/2023 | $0.63 / lb | -$0.22 | $0.55 - $0.70 |
| 2/7/2023 | $0.85 / lb | -$0.15 | $0.85 - $0.85 |
| 1/23/2023 | $1.00 / lb | +$0.50 | $1.00 - $1.00 |
| 12/6/2022 | $0.50 / lb | -$0.20 | $0.50 - $0.50 |
| 12/3/2022 | $0.70 / lb | -$0.29 | $0.62 - $0.77 |
| 11/27/2022 | $0.99 / lb | +$0.44 | $0.99 - $0.99 |
| 9/30/2022 | $0.55 / lb | -$0.20 | $0.47 - $0.62 |
| 8/18/2022 | $0.75 / lb | +$0.15 | $0.75 - $0.75 |
| 8/14/2022 | $0.60 / lb | -$0.39 | $0.52 - $0.67 |
| 8/12/2022 | $0.99 / lb | +$0.24 | $0.99 - $0.99 |
| 7/2/2022 | $0.75 / lb | -$0.20 | $0.75 - $0.75 |
| 5/26/2022 | $0.95 / lb | -$0.38 | $0.95 - $0.95 |
| 5/23/2022 | $1.33 / lb | -$0.12 | $1.33 - $1.33 |
| 5/22/2022 | $1.45 / lb | +$0.22 | $1.45 - $1.45 |
| 5/14/2022 | $1.23 / lb | +$0.20 | $1.23 - $1.23 |
| 1/25/2022 | $1.03 / lb | +$0.53 | $0.95 - $1.10 |
| 1/18/2022 | $0.50 / lb | -$0.94 | $0.50 - $0.50 |
| 12/4/2021 | $1.44 / lb | +$1.09 | $1.44 - $1.44 |
| 11/26/2021 | $0.35 / lb | -$0.95 | $0.35 - $0.35 |
| 10/18/2021 | $1.30 / lb | +$0.35 | $1.30 - $1.30 |
| 9/23/2021 | $0.95 / lb | -$0.25 | $0.87 - $1.02 |
| 8/3/2021 | $1.20 / lb | -$0.15 | $1.20 - $1.20 |
| 7/29/2021 | $1.35 / lb | +$0.50 | $1.35 - $1.35 |
| 7/24/2021 | $0.85 / lb | -$0.02 | $0.85 - $0.85 |
| 6/20/2021 | $0.87 / lb | +$0.07 | $0.87 - $0.87 |
| 4/23/2021 | $0.80 / lb | -$0.22 | $0.80 - $0.80 |
| 4/21/2021 | $1.02 / lb | +$0.01 | $0.97 - $1.07 |
| 4/19/2021 | $1.01 / lb | -$0.24 | $0.92 - $1.10 |
| 3/9/2021 | $1.25 / lb | +$0.38 | $1.25 - $1.25 |
| 1/22/2021 | $0.87 / lb | -$0.13 | $0.87 - $0.87 |
| 10/28/2020 | $1.00 / lb | +$0.15 | $1.00 - $1.00 |
| 10/25/2020 | $0.85 / lb | +$0.20 | $0.85 - $0.85 |
| 10/24/2020 | $0.65 / lb | +$0.35 | $0.60 - $0.70 |
| 10/22/2020 | $0.30 / lb | -$0.50 | $0.30 - $0.30 |
| 9/19/2020 | $0.80 / lb | +$0.30 | $0.80 - $0.80 |
| 8/14/2020 | $0.50 / lb | -$0.30 | $0.45 - $0.55 |
| 8/13/2020 | $0.80 / lb | +$0.10 | $0.80 - $0.80 |
| 12/9/2019 | $0.70 / lb | +$0.18 | $0.70 - $0.70 |
| 12/8/2019 | $0.52 / lb | +$0.02 | $0.47 - $0.57 |
| 10/22/2019 | $0.50 / lb | -$0.25 | $0.45 - $0.55 |
| 9/25/2019 | $0.75 / lb | +$0.28 | $0.75 - $0.75 |
| 8/20/2019 | $0.47 / lb | -$0.33 | $0.42 - $0.52 |
| 4/9/2019 | $0.80 / lb | -$0.10 | $0.80 - $0.80 |
| 6/12/2018 | $0.90 / lb | +$0.10 | $0.90 - $0.90 |
| 4/11/2018 | $0.80 / lb | -$0.05 | $0.80 - $0.80 |
| 7/7/2017 | $0.85 / lb | +$0.03 | $0.85 - $0.85 |
| 6/5/2017 | $0.82 / lb | +$0.02 | $0.82 - $0.82 |
| 12/2/2016 | $0.80 / lb | +$0.05 | $0.80 - $0.80 |
| 5/12/2016 | $0.75 / lb | +$0.03 | $0.75 - $0.75 |
| 3/31/2016 | $0.72 / lb | +$0.02 | $0.72 - $0.72 |
| 2/29/2016 | $0.70 / lb | -$0.25 | $0.70 - $0.70 |
| 6/28/2015 | $0.95 / lb | +$0.03 | $0.95 - $0.95 |
| 5/14/2015 | $0.92 / lb | +$0.12 | $0.92 - $0.92 |
| 2/14/2015 | $0.80 / lb | -$0.25 | $0.80 - $0.80 |
| 12/9/2014 | $1.05 / lb | -$0.10 | $1.05 - $1.05 |
Cash In on the Auto Shop Floor: Scrapping Wire Harnesses
If you're pulling engines, crushing cars, or running an auto repair shop in the US, those massive bundles of wiring under the hood and behind the dash are a major source of scrap value. Wire harnesses are graded differently than standard residential electrical wire because they contain a lower copper recovery percentage due to the thick plastic connectors, tape, corrugated tubing, and occasional fuse boxes attached. Our data shows that yards are currently paying anywhere from $1.55 for heavily contaminated bundles up to $1.80 for well-prepped harnesses, with a national average hovering around $1.69.
Yard Pro Tip: To get the highest tier pricing for wire harnesses, you must remove the heavy "brain boxes" (ECUs/PCMs) and the large, blocky plastic fuse relays. A few small plastic connectors at the end of the wires are expected, but leaving a heavy 3-pound plastic fuse box attached drops your recovery percentage significantly, and the scale master will knock your price down to the $1.55 range or even reclassify it as low-grade communication wire.
The Teardown: Stop Losing Money on Copper Recovery
Scrapping wire is a numbers game based entirely on how much copper the refinery can extract after burning or chopping the plastic away. The biggest mistake scrappers make is mixing clean, high-recovery wire with bulky automotive harnesses. If you throw standard #2 Insulated Wire (like extension cords or Romex with the outer jacket removed) into a gaylord box full of bulky Wire Harnesses, the buyer will pay you the cheaper harness rate for the whole box. That lazy mistake can cost you roughly $0.15 per pound in lost profit.
| Condition | What It Includes | Payout Expectation |
|---|---|---|
| Clean Prepped Harness | Wires only, small connectors okay. No fuse boxes or thick corrugated looming. | Near $1.80 |
| Standard Harness | Some looming, small relays, tape intact. | Around $1.69 |
| Dirty / Mixed | Heavy fuse boxes, ECUs attached, heavily caked in grease. | Downgraded to $1.55 |
Keep your automotive wire strictly separated from your residential scrap. If you have thicker, single-strand electrical wire, sort it as #1 Insulated Wire. If you have thin, multi-strand wire with a high plastic-to-copper ratio (like computer cables), that falls into #3 Insulated Wire (Low Grade), which currently trades much lower, typically around $0.60 to $1.20/lb.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do wire harnesses pay less than #2 insulated wire?
It comes down to copper recovery. A standard automotive wire harness has a lot of "dead weight" from thick plastic connectors, electrical tape, and corrugated tubing. Refineries expect a much lower percentage of actual copper yield from a harness compared to standard residential or commercial wiring.
Should I strip the wire in an automotive harness?
Generally, no. Automotive wire is usually very thin, stranded copper. Attempting to strip it manually is incredibly time-consuming and rarely worth the labor. It is much more profitable to just snip off the heavy plastic ends, sell it at the $1.69 rate, and let the yard's industrial wire chopper handle the rest.
How do local yards price my wire?
Scrap yards base their insulated wire prices on the COMEX spot price for pure copper, minus their processing costs and the assumed recovery rate of the specific wire grade. Typically, buyers offer about 68.2% below the spot price for standard copper grades, adjusting further down for the heavy plastic weight on automotive harnesses.
Wire Harnesses scrap prices — find in your state on the map
The map shows states where we have Wire Harnesses scrap prices. Click a state on the map or use the links below to see current Wire Harnesses prices in that region.