Copper Scrap Prices in South Dakota
National average for every copper grade we track, updated Nov 10, 2026. Yard quotes in South Dakota vary with volume and prep — use these as your baseline and call ahead.
Copper Grades — South Dakota
| 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 South Dakota
The South Dakota market for copper scrap follows the state's mix of agriculture, food processing, and finance. Expect separate prices for Bare Bright Copper, #1 Copper, #2 Copper, Insulated Copper Wire, and Copper Pipe (Clean). Clean, sorted Bare Bright Copper sits at the top of the board while #2 Copper is priced for the extra processing it needs. Across South Dakota, a dozen or so yards accept copper; the largest clusters are in Sioux Falls, Sturgis, and Watertown. Because copper rod mills, tube mills, and refineries are concentrated across the Midwest, South Dakota yards rarely sit on copper for long. Use the national averages here as your baseline. Individual South Dakota yards move with volume, cleanliness, and local freight, and a quick call with your grade and weight gets you an exact number.
Scrap Yards Buying Copper in South Dakota
- Ace Steel & Recycling— Pierre
- Dakota Recycling & Transport— Volga
- H & R Salvage LLC— Mitchell
- Hanson Salvage— Milbank
- Jim's Auto Salvage— Sturgis
- M & C Recycling— Watertown
- Mardian Scrap Recycling Inc— Aberdeen
- Pacific Steel & Recycling— Rapid City
- R & N Recycling— Sturgis
- R & T Unit Can Co— Sioux Falls
- Recycle— Madison
- Redfield Iron & Metal— Redfield
- Shine Brothers— Yankton
- TJN Enterprises Inc— Sioux Falls
- Tjn West— Sioux Falls
- Watertown Iron & Metal Co— Watertown
- Wes's Auto Salvage— Brookings
- Yankton Metals Inc— Yankton
Frequently asked about copper in South Dakota
What is the copper scrap price in South Dakota today?
The table above shows today's national average per grade, refreshed daily. Yards in South Dakota quote around those numbers depending on how much you bring, how clean it is, and what it costs them to ship onward.
Which scrap yards in South Dakota buy copper?
A dozen or so yards in South Dakota list copper among the materials they buy; the yards on this page are the ones we have on record, with the largest concentration around Sioux Falls, Sturgis, and Watertown. Confirm grades and hours before you drive.
How do I get the highest copper price in South Dakota?
Clean material earns the top of the board: remove insulation jackets, solder joints, and attached brass fittings, separate Bare Bright Copper from lower grades, and bring ID. Calling two or three South Dakota yards with your exact grade and weight usually surfaces the highest rate.
How should I prepare copper before selling it in South Dakota?
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.
What do South Dakota yards require from sellers of copper?
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 South Dakota yards also photograph the material and pay by check for larger amounts.