Scrap Metal Recycling evidence: 14 quotes from 3 creators
Every quote, figure and source behind our scrap metal recycling guide: 14 quotes from 3 creators, grouped by claim, with the full source list.
Every quote, by claim
Accepted figures: each is backed by the creators quoted under it, verbatim and linked to the moment they said it.
Common pitfalls: Selling metals unsorted
“For instance, sorting your metals by type can get you better prices since mixed scrap often sells for less.”
Full-time or part-time: part time or full time
“Take these steps and you'll watch as your modest side-gid morphs into a full-fledged business.”
Income volatility: high
“Metal prices can induce fluctuate, sometimes drastically.”
Insurance: liability insurance
“Also, think about getting insurance to protect yourself from any potential liabilities.”
Work mode: local
“Local scrapyards and recycling centers are common destinations for individual metal recyclers.”
Single reports, not yet confirmed
What one creator said, before a second independent source backs it. Not used as a fact anywhere on the site.
Time to first dollar
“Like you can make a lot of stuff disappear and get paid for it right away.”
Common pitfalls
“For instance, sorting your metals by type can get you better prices since mixed scrap often sells for less.”
Income volatility
“Metal prices can induce fluctuate, sometimes drastically.”
Equipment
“Invest in equipment that helps you handle scrap more efficiently, like a truck or a magnet for sorting metals.”
“Always wear sturdy gloves to protect your hands from sharp edges”
“and then I'm going to take this trailer to the scrapyard.”
Work mode
“Local scrapyards and recycling centers are common destinations for individual metal recyclers.”
Full-time or part-time
“Take these steps and you'll watch as your modest side-gid morphs into a full-fledged business.”
Insurance
“Also, think about getting insurance to protect yourself from any potential liabilities.”
Employee pay in the related job, nationally and by state
BLS figures describe employees in the closest related occupation, not side-hustle income.
| Related occupation | Median pay | Middle 80% | People employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors | $23.89/hr ($49,690/yr), BLS OEWS, May 2025 | $33,590–$75,900/yr | 147,240 |
| State | Median annual pay |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $46,240 |
| Alaska | $45,740 |
| Arizona | $46,910 |
| Arkansas | $35,640 |
| California | $64,890 |
| Colorado | $60,310 |
| Connecticut | $38,220 |
| Delaware | $61,290 |
| District of Columbia | $55,490 |
| Florida | $47,820 |
| Georgia | $46,960 |
| Hawaii | $56,270 |
| Idaho | $49,880 |
| Illinois | $75,050 |
| Indiana | $58,900 |
| Iowa | $49,850 |
| Kansas | $45,510 |
| Kentucky | $43,100 |
| Louisiana | $38,810 |
| Maine | $43,360 |
| Maryland | $41,870 |
| Massachusetts | $50,310 |
| Michigan | $51,030 |
| Minnesota | $62,570 |
| Mississippi | $39,170 |
| Missouri | $50,010 |
| Montana | $49,420 |
| Nebraska | $49,390 |
| Nevada | $61,310 |
| New Hampshire | $46,580 |
| New Jersey | $54,630 |
| New Mexico | $47,660 |
| New York | $64,950 |
| North Carolina | $44,670 |
| North Dakota | $59,000 |
| Ohio | $49,330 |
| Oklahoma | $43,060 |
| Oregon | $63,210 |
| Pennsylvania | $48,240 |
| Puerto Rico | $21,840 |
| Rhode Island | $55,970 |
| South Carolina | $34,880 |
| South Dakota | $32,950 |
| Tennessee | $43,270 |
| Texas | $46,330 |
| Utah | $59,310 |
| Vermont | $51,960 |
| Virginia | $46,530 |
| Washington | $74,620 |
| West Virginia | $35,840 |
| Wisconsin | $59,810 |
| Wyoming | $48,820 |
All sources
- Side Hustles To Earn Extra Cash, Episode 032: Recycle Metals for Money Across Different Scrap Yards (podcast, 22 Nov 2023, at 22:00)
- The Side Hustle Show, 735: Meet the Master Reseller Who Gets Literally Tons of Inventory for Free (podcast, 23 Apr 2026, at 4:39)
- Junk Removal Journey, My furniture flipping side hustle is BOOMING! Junk Removal, Scrap Metal, and Furniture Flipping! (YouTube, 3 Nov 2026, at 16:30)
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.
- BLS Employment Projections, 2025-35.
- O*NET 31.0 Database, 31.0.
All data
| Fact | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Common pitfalls | Selling metals unsorted | Side Hustles To Earn Extra Cash, Nov 2023 |
| Demand trend | stable | BLS Employment Projections, 2025-35 |
| Full-time or part-time | part time or full time | Side Hustles To Earn Extra Cash, Nov 2023 |
| Income volatility | high | Side Hustles To Earn Extra Cash, Nov 2023 |
| Insurance | liability insurance | Side Hustles To Earn Extra Cash, Nov 2023 |
| Nearest occupation | Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | O*NET 31.0 |
| Nearest occupation | Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors | O*NET 31.0 |
| Work mode | local | Side Hustles To Earn Extra Cash, Nov 2023 |
| Median hourly wage, employees: refuse and recyclable material collectors | $23.89/hr | BLS OEWS, May 2025 |
| Median annual wage, employees: refuse and recyclable material collectors | $49,690/yr | BLS OEWS, May 2025 |
| Annual wage, 10th percentile: refuse and recyclable material collectors | $33,590/yr | BLS OEWS, May 2025 |
| Annual wage, 90th percentile: refuse and recyclable material collectors | $75,900/yr | BLS OEWS, May 2025 |
| People employed: refuse and recyclable material collectors | 147,240 jobs | BLS OEWS, May 2025 |
| Projected employment change, 10 years: refuse and recyclable material collectors | 2.1% | BLS Employment Projections, 2025-35 |
| Share self-employed: refuse and recyclable material collectors | 3.8% | BLS Employment Projections, 2025-35 |