Lead Scrap Prices in California
National average for every lead grade we track, updated Nov 10, 2026. Yard quotes in California vary with volume and prep — use these as your baseline and call ahead.
Lead Grades — California
| Grade | US Avg | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| Lead (Soft) | $0.72 | /lb |
| Lead Wheel Weights | $0.51 | /lb |
Lead scrap in California
California yards that buy lead draw most of their supply from technology hardware, agriculture, aerospace, and entertainment production. The grades yards commonly quote are Lead (Soft) and Lead Wheel Weights; Lead (Soft) usually earns the top rate and Lead Wheel Weights the lowest, so sorting before you arrive pays. Dozens of yards in California list lead among what they buy, with the widest choice around Los Angeles, San Jose, and Anaheim. West Coast ports and the regional mill base feed demand for secondary lead smelters and battery plate makers, though longer hauls to inland buyers can show in posted California rates. Use the national averages here as your baseline. Individual California 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 Lead 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— Watsonville
- A & S Metals— Los Banos
- A & S Metals— Madera
- 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 lead in California
What is the lead scrap price in California today?
The table above shows today's national average per grade, refreshed daily. Yards in California 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 California buy lead?
Dozens of yards in California list lead among the materials they buy; the yards on this page are the ones we have on record, with the largest concentration around Los Angeles, San Jose, and Anaheim. Confirm grades and hours before you drive.
How do I get the highest lead price in California?
Sort by grade before you arrive, strip steel clips, zinc alloy substitutes, and dirt, and keep Lead (Soft) separate from Lead Wheel Weights. 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.
What prep gets the highest lead price at a California yard?
Separate grades, remove steel clips, zinc alloy substitutes, and dirt, 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 California yards require from sellers of lead?
Scrap yards routinely ask for a government photo ID and record the sale, and state law often requires it for metal purchases. Bring ID, expect a photo of the load, and ask whether the yard pays cash or check.