Steel & Iron (Ferrous) Scrap Price Trends

over the last 90 days

In the last 3 months in the Steel & Iron (Ferrous) category: price is up for 2 grades, price is steady for 4 grades, and price is down for 5 grades.

Prices up for these grades:
Wire Fence+8.3%🠅$0.05 / lbCast Iron (Heavy)+3.3%🠅$0.13 / lb
Prices steady for these grades:
Rebar1.8%—$0.10 / lb
Prices down for these grades:
Unprepared Steel (Torch & Shear)6.2%🠇$0.08 / lb#2 Prepared Steel5.6%🠇$0.09 / lb
Data source: 13 local yards + U.S. national averages (Tennessee).
How Have Prices Moved Over the Last 52 Weeks?
Over the past year, the category average ranged from $0.06 to $0.10.
May '25Aug '25Nov '25Feb '26Today
How Yard Prices Track the Exchange (CME)
Average discount to the exchange for this category: ~59.4% (-$0.12 / lb). Based on 11 grades with exchange data. Normal range for this category: 33%–77%.
✓ All 11 grades are within normal market range

U.S. National Price Benchmark — Steel & Iron (Ferrous) in Tennessee

Local scrap yards in Tennessee 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. Steel & Iron (Ferrous) prices across the U.S. →

Current Steel & Iron (Ferrous) Payouts by Grade

Here is the Steel & Iron (Ferrous) data we have on file for Tennessee. 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.

Plate & Structural Steel (P&S) U.S. national average
Avg. Price:$0.13 / lbRange: $0.12 – $0.14 / lb
Trend for 30 days: 0.3%
View Details
#1 Prepared Steel (HMS) U.S. national average
Avg. Price:$0.12 / lbRange: $0.11 – $0.13 / lb
Trend for 30 days: -4.6%
View Details
+3.3% / 30 days
Cast Iron (Heavy) U.S. national average
Avg. Price:$0.11 / lbRange: $0.08 – $0.13 / lb
Trend for 30 days: +3.3%
View Details
#2 Prepared Steel Based on 2 yards
Avg. Price:$0.09 / lbRange: $0.08 – $0.09 / lb
Trend for 90 days: -5.6%
View Details
Unprepared Steel (Torch & Shear) Based on 2 yards
Avg. Price:$0.08 / lbRange: $0.07 – $0.08 / lb
Trend for 90 days: -6.2%
View Details
Rebar U.S. national average
Avg. Price:$0.07 / lbRange: $0.04 – $0.10 / lb
Trend for 90 days: +1.8%
View Details
Light Iron & Shredder Based on 4 yards
Avg. Price:$0.07 / lbRange: $0.06 – $0.07 / lb
Trend for 30 days: 0.0%
View Details
Tin (Sheet Metal) Based on 3 yards
Avg. Price:$0.07 / lbRange: $0.06 – $0.07 / lb
Trend for 90 days: -4.8%
View Details
Automotive Cast Iron (Rotors/Drums) Based on 1 yard
Avg. Price:$0.06 / lbRange: $0.06 – $0.06 / lb
Trend for 30 days: 0.0%
View Details
Steel Turnings U.S. national average
Avg. Price:$0.05 / lbRange: $0.04 – $0.06 / lb
Trend for 30 days: -4.0%
View Details
+8.3% / 90 days
Wire Fence U.S. national average
Avg. Price:$0.05 / lbRange: $0.04 – $0.05 / lb
Trend for 90 days: +8.3%
View Details

Top Yards Buying Ferrous Scrap in Tennessee

Live prices from local scrap yards in Tennessee. 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 4/4/2026

CMC Recycling

Knoxville, Tennessee•3 grades on price list
Short Iron/#2 and HMS Prepared
$0.08 / lb|🠇 $0.01 (11%)
Long Iron/#1 and #2 HMS Unprepared
$0.07 / lb|🠇 $0.01 (13%)
Shredder Tin
$0.06 / lb|🠇 $0.01 (14%)
Updated 3/29/2026

Middle Tennessee Recycling

Nashville, Tennessee•2 grades on price list
Auto Cast
$0.06 / lb|🠇 $0.10 (63%)
Scrap
$0.07 / lb
Updated 3/29/2026

Thompson Metal Services Inc.

Kingsport, Tennessee•1 grade on price list
Steel/Tin
$0.05 / lb|🠇 $0.03 (38%)
Updated 3/23/2026

CMC Recycling

Chattanooga, Tennessee•3 grades on price list
Short Iron/#2 HMS Prepared
$0.09 / lb|🠅 $0.04 (80%)
Long Iron/#1 and #2 HMS Unprepared
$0.08 / lb|🠅 $0.04 (100%)
Shredder Tin
$0.07 / lb|🠅 $0.03 (75%)
Updated 2/17/2026

Sevier County Iron & Metal

Sevierville, Tennessee•1 grade on price list
Steel
$0.06 / lb|🠇 $0.01 (14%)
Updated 12/17/2025

Blount County Iron & Metal

Maryville, Tennessee•1 grade on price list
Steel
$0.06 / lb|🠇 $0.01 (14%)

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

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Steel & Iron (Ferrous) Price Chart & History

See how local yard buy prices track the exchange (CME). 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.

Calculate Your Ferrous Scrap Load Value

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 Tennessee.

Select a metal above to estimate value

Grade Value: Density, Prep, and Mill Demand

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
Plate & Structural Steel (P&S) $0.19 CME$0.13
High Grade•67%
#1 Prepared Steel (HMS) $0.19 CME$0.12
High Grade•62%
Cast Iron (Heavy) $0.19 CME$0.11
High Grade•54%
#2 Prepared Steel $0.19 CME$0.09
Mid Grade•44%
Unprepared Steel (Torch & Shear) $0.19 CME$0.08
Mid Grade•39%
Rebar $0.19 CME$0.07
Low Grade•36%
Light Iron & Shredder $0.19 CME$0.07
Low Grade•33%
Tin (Sheet Metal) $0.19 CME$0.07
Low Grade•33%
Automotive Cast Iron (Rotors/Drums) $0.19 CME$0.06
Low Grade•31%
Steel Turnings $0.19 CME$0.05
Low Grade•26%
Wire Fence $0.19 CME$0.05
Low Grade•23%

📊 What Determines Ferrous Grade Value:

  • Density & Thickness: Mills want heavy melting steel (HMS). Quarter-inch thick plate pays massively more than thin gauge tin.
  • Preparation: If a yard has to torch your 10-foot I-beam down to a 3-foot section, they'll buy it as Unprepared and pay you less.
  • Contamination: Dirt, concrete on rebar, or heavy rust scale will get your load downgraded to shred.
  • Market Spread: Local demand and the 59.4% margin against the CME dictate what the scale actually pays.
💡 Pro tip: Always separate your clean rotors and heavy cast iron from your basic light iron. Mixing them means the yard will pay the lowest common denominator price for the whole load.