Copper Scrap Prices in California
National average for every copper grade we track, updated Nov 10, 2026. Yard quotes in California vary with volume and prep — use these as your baseline and call ahead.
Copper Grades — California
| Grade | US Avg | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| Bare Bright Copper | $5.54 | /lb |
| #1 Copper | $5.31 | /lb |
| #2 Copper | $4.73 | /lb |
| Insulated Copper Wire | $2.60 | /lb |
| Copper Pipe (Clean) | $5.14 | /lb |
Copper scrap in California
In California, copper reaches the scrap stream by way of technology hardware, agriculture, aerospace, and entertainment production. The grades yards commonly quote are Bare Bright Copper, #1 Copper, #2 Copper, Insulated Copper Wire, and Copper Pipe (Clean); Bare Bright Copper usually earns the top rate and #2 Copper the lowest, so sorting before you arrive pays. Dozens of yards in California list copper among what they buy, with the widest choice around Los Angeles, San Jose, and Anaheim. Export demand through West Coast ports supports copper prices in California, while inland freight costs shape what individual yards post. Posted prices on this page are national averages updated daily; California yards set their own rates around them based on volume, prep, and freight, so call ahead with your grade and weight for a firm quote.
Scrap Yards Buying Copper in California
- 21 Metal Inc— South El Monte
- 3rs Corporation— San Diego
- 911EarthProject— Anaheim
- A & J Metals— Santa Clara
- A & M Metals Co.— Santa Ana
- A & S Metals— Madera
- A & S Metals— Los Banos
- A & S Metals— Watsonville
- A C Auto Dismantling— Yuba City
- A C Metal Polishing— Oxnard
- A N K Metal Recycling— Sun Valley
- A Quality— Los Angeles
- A Star Recycling— North Hollywood
- A Star Scrap Metal— North Hollywood
- A To Z Demolition— compton
- A-1 Alloys— National City
- A-1 Metals— Rio Linda
- A-1 Metals & Auto Salvage— Paso Robles
- A-1 Scrap Metal— San Francisco
- A. Perez Trucking— Los Angeles
- AAA Recycling— Riverside
- AAA Truck and Auto Wrecking— Lancaster
- ADS Gold Inc— Anaheim
- ALL STAR METALS & RECYCLING.— Perris
- AM Recycling— Santa Clarita
Frequently asked about copper in California
What is the copper scrap price in California today?
This page lists the current US national average for every copper grade, updated daily from commodity markets. California yards set their own rates around that figure based on volume, prep, and local freight, so use it as a baseline and confirm by phone.
Which scrap yards in California buy copper?
The yards listed on this page accept copper. In California the largest number of buyers to compare are around Los Angeles, San Jose, and Anaheim. Call ahead to confirm which grades a yard takes and whether it is open for public drop-off.
How do I get the highest copper price in California?
Sort by grade before you arrive, strip insulation jackets, solder joints, and attached brass fittings, and keep Bare Bright Copper separate from #2 Copper. Weigh your load yourself, ask for the price per grade rather than a lump sum, and compare two or three California yards on the same day.
How should I prepare copper before selling it in California?
Separate grades, remove insulation jackets, solder joints, and attached brass fittings, and keep loads dry. Yards pay for the grade they can see, so mixed or dirty material is priced at the lowest grade in the pile.
Do I need ID to sell copper scrap in California?
Expect to show a photo ID and have the transaction logged; scrap metal purchase records are standard practice and required by law in much of the country. Some California yards also photograph the material and pay by check for larger amounts.