Average Unprepared Steel (Torch & Shear) Price

180-day market: price lists from 3 yards. As of 4/21/2026.
$0.11/ lb +$0.01 (10%)
GT = Gross Ton (2240 lbs)
Avg: $0.11
Lowest price ⓘ$0.10
Highest price$0.11Who pays the most? ⟶
How to read scrap yard offers in Michigan
  • Low (around $0.10): Floor price, typically for small loads.
  • Mid ($0.11): A fair deal for standard quantities.
  • High ($0.11+): Top-dollar rate. Offered for large commercial loads or by the most competitive buyers.
52-week price range
Over the past year, prices ranged from $0.09 to $0.11.
May '25Aug '25Nov '25Feb '26Today
Market response to CME pricing
Current spread vs. exchange (today): ~42.1% (-$0.08 / lb). Typical spread for this grade: 35%–49%
✓ Scrap yards are offering fair market rates
Market snapshot
Stable market. Prices have held steady over the past 6 months.
Pricing verified from 3 live board rates in this area.

Top Scrap Yards Buying Unprepared Steel Michigan

Don't let your heavy, oversized steel get downgraded at the scale. Compare the payouts from these local buyers in Michigan, ensure your load is free of major non-ferrous attachments, and always call ahead to confirm their current rates for unprepared iron.

💼 Scrap yard owners: Post your buy prices and get more customers
By price
By date
Updated 78 days ago

Division Metal Recyclers

Listed as: MACHINERY
7800 Division Ave S, Grand Rapids, MI 49548 Plan route
$0.10 / lb
Updated 152 days ago

Kalamazoo Metal Recyclers Inc

Listed as: MACHINERY
1525 King Hwy, Kalamazoo, MI 49001 Plan route
$0.11 / lb

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Hundreds of people search here every day for the best scrap metal prices. Start capturing ready-to-sell leads today.

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Unprepared Steel vs. Prepared Iron Grades

See the exact price difference between Unprepared Steel (Torch & Shear) and similar grades like Automotive Cast Iron (Rotors/Drums) or Plate & Structural Steel (P&S). Compare the current rates per pound below to ensure you get the maximum payout for your sorted scrap.

Current price Unprepared Steel (Torch & Shear)
Unprepared Steel (Torch & Shear) Based on 3 scrap yards
Avg price:$0.11 / lb
Trend for 6 mo.: 0.0%
Sort separately
Automotive Cast Iron (Rotors/Drums) Based on 3 scrap yards
Avg price:$0.17 / lb
Mix it with Unprepared Steel (Torch & Shear)?They'll pay $0.11 for all of it
Loss if not sorted:-$0.06 / lb
Trend for 30 days: +2.3%
Price analytics
Plate & Structural Steel (P&S) Based on 2 scrap yards
Avg price:$0.14 / lb
Trend for 30 days: 0.0%
Price analytics
#1 Prepared Steel (HMS) Based on 2 scrap yards
Avg price:$0.12 / lb
Trend for 30 days: +5.9%
Price analytics
Light Iron & Shredder Based on 5 scrap yards
Avg price:$0.11 / lb
Trend for 30 days: 0.0%
Price analytics
#2 Prepared Steel Based on 1 scrap yard
Avg price:$0.10 / lb
Trend for 90 days: -8.3%
Price analytics
Cast Iron (Heavy) Based on 3 scrap yards
Avg price:$0.10 / lb
Trend for 30 days: -6.4%
Price analytics
Tin (Sheet Metal) Based on 1 scrap yard
Avg price:$0.08 / lb
Trend for 30 days: +3.1%
Price analytics
Steel Turnings Estimated U.S. prices
Avg price:$0.05 / lb
Trend for 30 days: 0.0%
Price analytics
Wire Fence Estimated U.S. prices
Avg price:$0.04 / lb
Trend for 90 days: +37.5%
Price analytics
Rebar Based on 1 scrap yard
Avg price:$0.04 / lb
Trend for 30 days: 0.0%
Price analytics

Unprepared Steel (Torch & Shear) 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.

Unprepared Steel (Torch & Shear): Scrap Yard Price vs. World Market (CME)

Avg scrap yard price

$0.11
Scrap metal dealers
Price gap: −$0.08 / lb
vs. exchange

Today's world market price (CME)

$0.195 / lb
✓ For 99.9% pure refined metal
💡 Why is the scrap yard price lower than the exchange? The CME price is the global benchmark for 99.99% pure refined metal traded in large institutional contracts. The gap between CME and what you pocket is the yard's margin — it covers sorting, cleaning, transport to the mill, and protects them against sudden price drops.

Unprepared Steel (Torch & Shear): Spread vs. Exchange — Monthly History

Market read: This month's average gap between scrap yard prices and the world market for Unprepared Steel (Torch & Shear) is 43.4%. This falls within the range of monthly spreads we have on record for earlier periods in this table (35.8%–48.8%). That suggests broadly typical conditions between local buy prices and the exchange benchmark. Our data suggests local yards are still worth comparing before you sell. Check offers in your area ↑
PeriodWorld price (per lb)Scrap yard price (per lb)Spread vs. exchange
May 2026 (current)$0.1943 / lb$0.11 / lb−$0.08 (43.4%)
April 2026$0.1872 / lb$0.10 / lb−$0.09 (46.6%)
March 2026$0.1774 / lb$0.10 / lb−$0.08 (43.6%)
February 2026$0.1697 / lb$0.10 / lb−$0.07 (41.1%)
January 2026$0.1692 / lb$0.10 / lb−$0.07 (40.9%)
December 2025$0.1653 / lb$0.10 / lb−$0.07 (39.5%)
November 2025$0.1626 / lb$0.10 / lb−$0.06 (38.5%)
October 2025$0.1588 / lb$0.10 / lb−$0.06 (37%)
September 2025$0.1557 / lb$0.10 / lb−$0.06 (35.8%)
August 2025$0.1588 / lb$0.10 / lb−$0.06 (37%)
July 2025$0.1592 / lb$0.10 / lb−$0.06 (37.2%)
June 2025$0.1550 / lb$0.09 / lb−$0.07 (41.9%)
May 2025$0.1579 / lb$0.09 / lb−$0.07 (43%)
April 2025$0.1612 / lb$0.10 / lb−$0.06 (38%)
March 2025$0.1692 / lb$0.10 / lb−$0.07 (40.9%)
February 2025$0.1660 / lb$0.10 / lb−$0.07 (39.8%)
January 2025$0.1587 / lb$0.09 / lb−$0.07 (43.3%)
December 2024$0.1590 / lb$0.10 / lb−$0.06 (37.1%)
November 2024$0.1660 / lb$0.10 / lb−$0.07 (39.8%)
October 2024$0.1733 / lb$0.10 / lb−$0.07 (42.3%)
September 2024$0.1682 / lb$0.10 / lb−$0.07 (40.5%)
August 2024$0.1661 / lb$0.10 / lb−$0.07 (39.8%)
July 2024$0.1748 / lb$0.11 / lb−$0.06 (37.1%)
June 2024$0.1737 / lb$0.10 / lb−$0.07 (42.4%)
May 2024$0.1746 / lb$0.11 / lb−$0.06 (37%)
April 2024$0.1741 / lb$0.11 / lb−$0.06 (36.8%)
March 2024$0.1747 / lb$0.10 / lb−$0.07 (42.8%)
February 2024$0.1836 / lb$0.11 / lb−$0.07 (40.1%)
January 2024$0.1855 / lb$0.11 / lb−$0.08 (40.7%)
December 2023$0.1898 / lb$0.11 / lb−$0.08 (42%)
November 2023$0.1828 / lb$0.11 / lb−$0.07 (39.8%)
October 2023$0.1681 / lb$0.10 / lb−$0.07 (40.5%)
September 2023$0.1719 / lb$0.10 / lb−$0.07 (41.8%)
August 2023$0.1694 / lb$0.10 / lb−$0.07 (41%)
July 2023$0.1674 / lb$0.10 / lb−$0.07 (40.3%)
June 2023$0.1718 / lb$0.10 / lb−$0.07 (41.8%)
May 2023$0.1690 / lb$0.10 / lb−$0.07 (40.8%)
April 2023$0.1870 / lb$0.11 / lb−$0.08 (41.2%)
March 2023$0.2034 / lb$0.12 / lb−$0.08 (41%)
February 2023$0.2007 / lb$0.12 / lb−$0.08 (40.2%)
January 2023$0.1883 / lb$0.11 / lb−$0.08 (41.6%)
December 2022$0.1755 / lb$0.10 / lb−$0.08 (43%)
November 2022$0.1593 / lb$0.09 / lb−$0.07 (43.5%)
October 2022$0.1616 / lb$0.10 / lb−$0.06 (38.1%)
September 2022$0.1627 / lb$0.10 / lb−$0.06 (38.5%)
August 2022$0.1736 / lb$0.10 / lb−$0.07 (42.4%)
July 2022$0.1698 / lb$0.10 / lb−$0.07 (41.1%)
June 2022$0.1738 / lb$0.10 / lb−$0.07 (42.5%)
May 2022$0.2172 / lb$0.13 / lb−$0.09 (40.1%)
April 2022$0.2718 / lb$0.16 / lb−$0.11 (41.1%)
March 2022$0.2935 / lb$0.16 / lb−$0.13 (45.5%)
February 2022$0.2297 / lb$0.14 / lb−$0.09 (39.1%)
January 2022$0.2129 / lb$0.12 / lb−$0.09 (43.6%)
December 2021$0.2034 / lb$0.12 / lb−$0.08 (41%)
November 2021$0.2115 / lb$0.13 / lb−$0.08 (38.5%)
October 2021$0.2201 / lb$0.13 / lb−$0.09 (40.9%)
September 2021$0.2022 / lb$0.12 / lb−$0.08 (40.7%)
August 2021$0.2121 / lb$0.13 / lb−$0.08 (38.7%)
July 2021$0.2270 / lb$0.13 / lb−$0.10 (42.7%)
June 2021$0.2304 / lb$0.14 / lb−$0.09 (39.2%)
May 2021$0.2345 / lb$0.12 / lb−$0.11 (48.8%)
April 2021$0.2139 / lb$0.12 / lb−$0.09 (43.9%)
March 2021$0.2102 / lb$0.11 / lb−$0.10 (47.7%)
February 2021$0.2015 / lb$0.12 / lb−$0.08 (40.4%)
January 2021$0.1874 / lb$0.11 / lb−$0.08 (41.3%)

Unprepared Steel (Torch & Shear) 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.

DateAvg price (per lb)ChangeRange (Low/High)
$0.11 / lb+$0.01$0.09 – $0.09
3/25/2026 $0.10 / lb— no change$0.10 – $0.10
2/17/2026 $0.10 / lb−$0.01$0.09 – $0.10
12/5/2025 $0.11 / lb+$0.01$0.11 – $0.11
11/8/2025 $0.10 / lb+$0.03$0.10 – $0.10
10/13/2025 $0.07 / lb−$0.04$0.07 – $0.07
10/9/2025 $0.11 / lb— no change$0.11 – $0.11
9/16/2025 $0.11 / lb+$0.01$0.11 – $0.11
8/6/2025 $0.10 / lb−$0.01$0.10 – $0.10
7/14/2025 $0.11 / lb−$0.01$0.11 – $0.11
4/20/2025 $0.12 / lb+$0.03$0.12 – $0.12
2/8/2025 $0.09 / lb−$0.02$0.09 – $0.09
9/13/2024 $0.11 / lb+$0.01$0.11 – $0.11
8/8/2024 $0.10 / lb−$0.01$0.10 – $0.10
8/4/2024 $0.11 / lb+$0.01$0.11 – $0.11
7/15/2024 $0.10 / lb−$0.02$0.10 – $0.10
5/21/2024 $0.12 / lb+$0.02$0.12 – $0.12
4/18/2024 $0.10 / lb−$0.01$0.10 – $0.10
4/17/2024 $0.11 / lb+$0.01$0.11 – $0.11
3/28/2024 $0.10 / lb−$0.01$0.10 – $0.10
3/4/2024 $0.11 / lb+$0.01$0.11 – $0.11
12/8/2023 $0.10 / lb−$0.02$0.10 – $0.10
3/30/2023 $0.12 / lb−$0.01$0.12 – $0.12
3/25/2023 $0.13 / lb+$0.03$0.13 – $0.13
2/16/2023 $0.10 / lb+$0.03$0.10 – $0.10
12/6/2022 $0.07 / lb−$0.03$0.07 – $0.07
10/7/2022 $0.10 / lb−$0.04$0.10 – $0.10
5/28/2022 $0.14 / lb+$0.01$0.14 – $0.14
3/31/2022 $0.13 / lb+$0.03$0.13 – $0.13
1/14/2022 $0.10 / lb−$0.01$0.10 – $0.10
12/26/2021 $0.11 / lb−$0.01$0.11 – $0.11
12/9/2021 $0.12 / lb+$0.01$0.12 – $0.12
10/16/2021 $0.11 / lb−$0.01$0.11 – $0.11
7/29/2021 $0.12 / lb−$0.01$0.12 – $0.12
6/13/2021 $0.13 / lb+$0.04$0.13 – $0.13
5/13/2021 $0.09 / lb−$0.02$0.09 – $0.09
5/8/2021 $0.11 / lb+$0.02$0.11 – $0.11
4/16/2021 $0.09 / lb+$0.01$0.09 – $0.09
3/7/2021 $0.08 / lb−$0.02$0.08 – $0.08