Most Valuable Scrap Metals: The Definitive Ranked Guide (2026)

Not all scrap metal is created equal. Walk into any scrap yard with a mixed load and you’ll get a fraction of what you could earn if you sorted by type and grade. The difference between a scrapper who makes gas money and one who makes a genuine side income comes down to knowing what’s valuable, where to find it, and how to present it.

This guide ranks every common scrap metal from most to least valuable, gives you current price ranges, tells you where to source each one, and shares the grading details that matter at the scale window. If you’re brand new to scrapping, start with What Is the Magnet Test? — it’s the fastest way to sort ferrous from non-ferrous in the field.

The Master Ranking: Scrap Metals by Value

Here’s the big picture. Prices fluctuate with commodity markets — driven by benchmarks like the London Metal Exchange (LME) — but the relative ranking stays remarkably stable. These ranges reflect typical U.S. scrap yard payouts in early 2026.

1. Copper — The Undisputed Champion

Typical yard price: $3.00 - $4.25/lb (bare bright) | $2.20 - $3.50/lb (#1 copper) | $1.80 - $3.00/lb (#2 copper)

Copper is the most valuable common scrap metal, and it isn’t particularly close. If you’re looking to sell copper, yards in major cities like Houston and Los Angeles tend to offer the most competitive prices. When commodity markets are strong, clean bare bright copper can push past $4/lb. That’s why experienced scrappers will spend 30 minutes stripping insulation off wire — the labor more than pays for itself.

Copper Grades That Matter

Bare bright (#1 copper wire): Uncoated, unalloyed, 14-gauge or heavier copper wire with no solder, paint, or insulation. This is the top dollar grade. If it looks like a shiny new penny, it qualifies.

#1 copper (pipe/bus bar): Clean copper tubing, bus bars, and clippings. No solder joints, no fittings, no paint, no insulation. Must be unalloyed.

#2 copper: Copper with some contamination — solder joints on pipe, painted copper, copper with fittings still attached, or thinner gauge wire. Still valuable, just docked for the impurities.

Insulated copper wire: Priced by estimated copper recovery rate. Thick romex (60-70% copper) pays much better than thin thermostat wire (30-40% copper). Stripping it yourself upgrades it to bare bright — see our copper wire stripping guide for techniques.

Where to Find Copper

• Residential construction/demolition: Romex wire (NM-B), copper plumbing pipe, ground wires
• HVAC systems: Refrigerant linesets, condenser coils (copper/aluminum mix)
• Electrical panels: Heavy gauge wire, bus bars, ground bars
• Appliances: Compressors (sealed units contain copper windings), power cords
• Electronics: Power supply transformers, heavy gauge cords

2. Brass — The Overlooked Earner

Typical yard price: $1.80 - $2.80/lb (yellow brass) | $2.20 - $3.20/lb (red brass)

Brass is an alloy of copper and zinc, so it makes sense that it ranks just behind pure copper. Many new scrappers walk right past brass because they don’t recognize it. That’s a mistake — brass is heavy, common, and adds up fast. Look for brass recycling in Dallas or Philadelphia for local pricing.

Brass Grades That Matter

Yellow brass: The most common type. About 60-70% copper, 30-40% zinc. Bright gold color. Found in plumbing fittings, shell casings, keys, and decorative hardware.

Red brass: Higher copper content (80-85%). Darker, more reddish tone. Found in older valves, water meters, and fire hydrant fittings. Pays a premium over yellow brass.

Brass shells/casings: Ammunition casings are almost always yellow brass. Some yards buy them separately; gun ranges are a common source.

Where to Find Brass

• Plumbing: Shut-off valves, hose bibs, compression fittings, older faucet bodies
• HVAC: Service valves, flare fittings, expansion valves
• Locks and keys: Standard house keys, padlock bodies, deadbolt components
• Decorative hardware: Door knockers, cabinet pulls, light fixture parts
• Ammunition: Spent brass casings (check local regulations)

3. Copper-Bearing Materials

Typical yard price: $1.00 - $2.50/lb (varies widely by type and copper content)

This category covers items that contain significant copper but aren’t pure copper — primarily electric motors, transformers, and copper/aluminum coils. Yards price these based on estimated copper recovery.

Types and Values

Electric motors: Small sealed motors (from appliances, power tools, pumps) contain copper windings and are bought as whole units. Price depends on size — larger motors with more copper pay better. Some scrappers break motors to extract the copper, but this is labor-intensive and only worthwhile for large motors.

Power transformers: The heavy box-shaped components in electronics, HVAC equipment, and industrial applications. Copper-wound transformers are worth significantly more than aluminum-wound ones. A magnet won’t help here — you need to look at the wire gauge and color.

Copper/aluminum coils (ACR coils): Air conditioning condensers and evaporator coils contain copper tubing with aluminum fins. Yards buy these as “ACR” or “copper/aluminum” — the price reflects the mixed content. Clean coils (fins intact, no steel brackets) pay more.

Where to Find Copper-Bearing Items

• Curbside appliances: Window AC units, dehumidifiers, refrigerators (compressors + coils)
• Workshops/garages: Dead power tools, bench grinders, shop compressors
• HVAC change-outs: Condensing units, air handlers, mini-split systems
• Industrial sites: Three-phase motors, large transformers, pump assemblies

4. Nickel Alloys

Typical yard price: $2.00 - $5.00+/lb (varies significantly by alloy)

Nickel alloys are high-value but less commonly encountered. The USGS tracks nickel as a critical mineral, and when you do find nickel alloys, they can be the most profitable items in your load pound-for-pound.

Types and Values

Stainless 316 (marine grade): Contains about 10-14% nickel and 2-3% molybdenum. Used in marine hardware, chemical processing equipment, and high-end kitchen sinks. Worth noticeably more than standard 304 stainless.

Inconel / Hastelloy: Nickel-chromium superalloys used in jet engine components, chemical plant piping, and high-temperature applications. These can fetch $3-8/lb or more. Rare in residential scrap but valuable when found.

Monel: A nickel-copper alloy (about 67% nickel) used in marine applications, chemical processing, and older plumbing. Non-magnetic and very corrosion-resistant.

Where to Find Nickel Alloys

• Marine environments: Boat hardware, propeller shafts, through-hull fittings
• Chemical/industrial plants: Piping, valves, reactor vessels
• Aerospace scrap: Turbine blades, exhaust components
• Medical equipment: Surgical instruments, implant materials

5. Stainless Steel

Typical yard price: $0.40 - $0.80/lb (304 grade) | $0.55 - $1.00/lb (316 grade)

Stainless steel is one of the most commonly found non-ferrous metals, and yards in cities like New York and Columbus buy it regularly. It straddles an interesting middle ground — significantly more valuable than regular steel but less than copper or brass. The key with stainless is volume. It’s heavy, it’s everywhere, and it adds up.

Stainless Grades That Matter

304 stainless (18/8): The workhorse grade. 18% chromium, 8% nickel. Used in most kitchen appliances, sinks, food equipment, and architectural trim. Slightly magnetic (a magnet may weakly attract it, especially at cut edges or bends where the metal is work-hardened).

316 stainless (marine grade): Higher nickel content plus molybdenum for corrosion resistance. Used in marine hardware, chemical processing, medical equipment, and outdoor coastal installations. Non-magnetic and pays a premium.

400 series stainless: Higher chromium, lower nickel. Strongly magnetic. Used in automotive exhaust, some cutlery, and industrial applications. Pays less than 300 series because of the lower nickel content.

Where to Find Stainless Steel

• Kitchen remodels: Sinks, dishwashers (tubs), commercial kitchen equipment, prep tables
• Restaurants going out of business: Walk-in cooler panels, shelving, exhaust hoods
• Medical/dental offices: Instrument trays, carts, sinks
• Industrial facilities: Piping, tanks, food processing conveyors
• Automotive: Exhaust components (usually 400 series)

6. Aluminum

Typical yard price: $0.40 - $0.90/lb (clean) | $0.25 - $0.50/lb (dirty/mixed) | $0.60 - $1.20/lb (clean extrusions/clips)

Aluminum is the scrapper’s bread and butter. It’s everywhere, it’s light, and it’s always worth picking up. Check aluminum recycling in Chicago or Phoenix for example pricing in your area. The challenge is that aluminum prices per pound are moderate, so you need volume — and proper sorting makes a big difference.

Aluminum Grades That Matter

Clean aluminum extrusions/clips: Unpainted, clean 6061/6063 aluminum pieces. Window frames, door frames, and structural shapes without screws, rubber, or inserts. This is the top-paying common aluminum grade.

Aluminum cans (UBC): The classic. Always in demand. Most states pay $0.40-0.60/lb, and some have deposit programs that pay more per unit. Crush them to save space.

Cast aluminum: Engine blocks, transmission cases, outdoor furniture frames, grill components. Heavier and denser than sheet aluminum. Pays mid-range.

Aluminum siding/gutters: Painted aluminum. The paint docks the price a bit, but it’s still worth collecting — thin gauge but large surface area means reasonable weight.

Dirty/irony aluminum: Aluminum with steel screws, rubber gaskets, plastic inserts, or other contaminants. Pays the lowest aluminum price. Worth cleaning up if the volume justifies the time.

Where to Find Aluminum

• Construction sites: Window frames, door frames, trim, siding, soffit, gutters, flashing
• Automotive: Wheels/rims (very popular — a single set of alloy wheels can be 50+ lbs), intake manifolds, valve covers, radiators
• Curbside trash: Lawn chairs, outdoor tables, storm doors, screen frames
• Kitchen/beverage: Cans (obviously), pots and pans (check with magnet — some are steel), baking sheets

7. Lead

Typical yard price: $0.30 - $0.55/lb

Lead is dense, soft, and easy to identify — you can scratch it with a fingernail and it leaves a gray streak. It’s toxic, so handle it with gloves and wash your hands afterward, but it’s a consistently valued scrap metal.

Types and Values

Lead wheel weights: The clip-on weights used to balance tires. Tire shops generate piles of these during rebalancing. Note: many newer vehicles use zinc or steel wheel weights now, so check with a magnet (lead is non-magnetic) and look for the soft, gray appearance.

Lead-acid batteries: Car, truck, marine, and UPS batteries contain lead plates and are one of the most recycled products in the world. Most yards and auto parts stores buy them. Typical price: $5-15 per battery depending on size.

Lead pipe/sheet: Found in very old plumbing (pre-1950s), roofing flashings on older buildings, and radiation shielding in medical/dental offices.

Cable sheathing: Old telephone and power cables sometimes have lead outer jackets. Heavy and valuable if you find a batch.

8. Zinc

Typical yard price: $0.35 - $0.55/lb (die-cast) | $0.30 - $0.45/lb (mixed zinc)

Zinc is another often-overlooked metal. It shows up primarily as die-cast parts (also called pot metal or zamak) and as a coating on galvanized steel.

Types and Values

Zinc die-cast: Faucet handles, cabinet hardware, small automotive parts (carburetors, door handles on older vehicles), decorative fixtures. Die-cast zinc breaks with a crystalline, brittle fracture and is a dull gray color inside.

Zinc sheet/plates: Used in roofing, battery casings, and industrial applications. Less common than die-cast.

Zinc wheel weights: The replacement for lead wheel weights in newer vehicles. Lighter and harder than lead. A magnet won’t stick to them.

Where to Find Zinc

• Plumbing: Decorative faucet bodies and handles (the cheaper brands are often zinc die-cast)
• Automotive: Older carburetors, door handles, interior trim pieces
• Hardware: Cabinet pulls, hinges, decorative brackets
• Tire shops: Zinc wheel weights are increasingly common

9. Steel/Cast Iron

Typical yard price: $0.04 - $0.12/lb (prepared steel) | $0.08 - $0.14/lb (cast iron)

Steel and iron are the most abundant scrap metals by weight. The per-pound price is low, but when you’re hauling thousands of pounds in a trailer, it’s reliable money. Steel is where volume-based scrappers make their living.

Grades That Matter

Prepared steel (P&S): Cut to yard specs (usually under 5 feet and under 1/4” thick). Clean, no attachments. This is standard structural steel, shelving, file cabinets, etc.

Heavy melting steel (HMS): Thicker steel — 1/4” and above. I-beams, heavy plate, industrial equipment frames. Usually pays slightly more than light-gauge steel.

Cast iron: Engine blocks (non-aluminum), brake rotors and drums, radiators (old style), bathtubs, wood stove bodies, sewer pipe. Denser and slightly more valuable than plain steel. Breaks rather than bends.

Sheet iron/tin: Thin steel — car body panels, roofing, ductwork, filing cabinets. Lightest grade, lowest price per pound, but easy to accumulate in volume.

Cars/vehicles: Whole vehicles (end-of-life) are priced by the ton. A typical car brings $150-400 depending on weight, current steel prices, and whether you’ve already stripped the valuable non-ferrous components.

Where to Find Steel/Iron

• Literally everywhere. Construction debris, fencing, appliances, vehicles, agricultural equipment, playground equipment, industrial machinery.

Specialty Items with Hidden Value

Some scrap items don’t fit neatly into the metal-by-metal ranking because their value comes from specific components, precious metal content, or specialized recycling streams.

Catalytic Converters

Catalytic converters contain platinum, palladium, and/or rhodium — precious metals worth hundreds to thousands of dollars per ounce. A single converter can be worth $50-300+ depending on the vehicle it came from. OEM converters from trucks and SUVs tend to pay the most; small aftermarket “universal” converters may only be worth $10-20.

Most scrap yards won’t buy converters directly — you’ll need a specialized buyer. Browse catalytic converter recycling in Los Angeles or Houston to find specialists near you. Check our catalytic converter scrap value guide for details on pricing and finding buyers.

E-Waste and Circuit Boards

Printed circuit boards (PCBs) contain gold, silver, palladium, and copper. Computer motherboards, server boards, and telecommunications equipment can be worth $3-12/lb to specialized e-waste buyers. RAM sticks and CPU chips are even more valuable per unit.

Consumer electronics (phones, tablets, laptops) also contain recoverable metals but are generally better sold to electronics recyclers who handle the full device.

Batteries

• Lead-acid (car/truck): $5-15 each at most yards and auto parts stores
• Lithium-ion (EV, power tool, laptop): Increasingly valuable; specialty recyclers pay by type and size
• Nickel-metal hydride (hybrid vehicle): Specialty item — hybrid battery packs can bring $50-200+

Whole Vehicles

An end-of-life vehicle is worth more than just its steel weight. Before sending one to the crusher, strip: catalytic converter(s), aluminum wheels, copper wiring harness, battery, alternator (copper inside), starter motor (copper inside), AC compressor, and radiator (copper/aluminum). The stripped components can easily double what the car brings versus selling it whole.

Maximizing Your Payout

The difference between casual scrapping and profitable scrapping comes down to preparation. Follow these steps before every yard visit.

Finding the Best Yard Near You

Different yards specialize in different materials, and prices vary more than you might expect between competitors in the same city. Some yards focus on high-volume ferrous metals and offer mediocre non-ferrous prices, while others cater to non-ferrous scrappers and pay top dollar for sorted copper and aluminum.

Use our scrap yard search to find and compare yards in your area — including cities like Miami, San Antonio, and Phoenix. Check which metals they accept, read reviews from other scrappers, and call ahead to confirm current prices before loading up your truck.

The most valuable scrap metal is the one you correctly identify, properly sort, and sell to the right buyer. Now get out there and start separating your metals.