Steel & Iron Scrap Prices in California
National average for every steel & iron grade we track, updated Nov 10, 2026. Yard quotes in California vary with volume and prep — use these as your baseline and call ahead.
Steel & Iron Grades — California
| Grade | US Avg | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| Steel (Heavy Melt) | $285.00 | /ton |
| Light Iron / Sheet | $215.00 | /ton |
| Cast Iron | $0.18 | /lb |
| Stainless Steel (304) | $0.62 | /lb |
Steel & Iron scrap in California
The California market for steel & iron scrap follows the state's mix of technology hardware, agriculture, aerospace, and entertainment production. The grades yards commonly quote are Steel (Heavy Melt), Light Iron / Sheet, Cast Iron, and Stainless Steel (304); Steel (Heavy Melt) usually earns the top rate and Light Iron / Sheet the lowest, so sorting before you arrive pays. Dozens of yards in California list steel & iron 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 electric arc furnaces and foundries, 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 Steel & Iron 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— Los Banos
- A & S Metals— Madera
- A & S Metals— Watsonville
- A C Auto Dismantling— Yuba City
- 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
- ASM Scrap Metal— Garden Grove
Frequently asked about steel & iron in California
What is the steel & iron scrap price in California today?
This page lists the current US national average for every steel & iron 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 steel & iron?
Dozens of yards in California list steel & iron 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 steel & iron price in California?
Sort by grade before you arrive, strip attached copper wiring, oil residue, and sealed containers, and keep Steel (Heavy Melt) separate from Light Iron / Sheet. 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 steel & iron before selling it in California?
Sorting is the single biggest lever: keep grades apart, strip attached copper wiring, oil residue, and sealed containers, and avoid mixing in anything the yard has to hand-sort. Dry, clean loads weigh and price honestly.
Do I need ID to sell steel & iron 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.