What is a good hourly wage for working at a scrap yard?

**arb** · 09-24-2016, 11:35 AM

What is a good hourly wage for working at a scrap yard?

I mean from occasional scale buying to back end processing of non-ferrous material (bailing, sheering extruded aluminum and irony-metals to get the most non-ferrous price, sorting, cutting brass, using a propane torch to cut stainless steel, using a forklift, bobcat, etc...

Or better yet, imagine you had a virtually unlimited supply clean and dirty scrap (a lot of people bring in unclean metal) but your job is to maximize profit)

What would be a good hourly wage for someone that live in a medium sized town (about 100 k people)?

**alloy2** · 09-24-2016, 11:42 AM

Originally Posted by arb

What is a good hourly wage for working at a scrap yard?

I mean from occasional scale buying to back end processing of non-ferrous material (bailing, sheering extruded aluminum and irony-metals to get the most non-ferrous price, sorting, cutting brass, using a propane torch to cut stainless steel, using a forklift, bobcat, etc...

Or better yet, imagine you had a virtually unlimited supply clean and dirty scrap (a lot of people bring in unclean metal) but your job is to maximize profit)

What would be a good hourly wage for someone that live in a medium sized town (about 100 k people)?

Would depend on experiance, your ability to recognise and grade various types of metals.

**arb** · 09-24-2016, 12:17 PM

Scrapper for at least 15 years.
Knowing the ISRI guide front to back.
I'm the backdrop catching all of the 'mixed' stuff that comes in from non ferrous scale. (the unclean aluminum that has a few screws, brass and copper items (i snip what needed to be then sort into yellow/semi/red))

**alloy2** · 09-24-2016, 12:44 PM

Originally Posted by arb

Scrapper for at least 15 years. Knowing the ISRI guide front to back.

Then your certainly very aware that not all yards pay per the ISRI guide, which is more a guidline for export of scrap materials exported in bulk.

**arb** · 09-24-2016, 01:25 PM

Yes, of course. I'm stating my knowledge. There is a difference from some guy that sweeps and runs cans and isn't going to pile red brass into the yellow or leave a few screws in your 6063 and having it get downgraded at the mill.

What is a top end estimate for hourly wage of some that is 'top of the game'?
Personally, I'd much rather be paid a set percentage based on output than an hourly wage. Salaries are very secretive in this industry, it seems.

My predicament is that I'm soon to be considered for a job (I'm working through a temp agency) and the 'negotiation' of salary will be discussed.

I'm curious as to what a fair hourly wage is.

If I'm going to get paid the same or lightly more than a person that is sweeping floors then I may as well go put pickles on burgers at a fast food outfit and scrap on the side.

It should go without say this is a dangerous job.

**RLS0812** · 09-24-2016, 01:31 PM

Depends on were you live ...
No one around here pays much over minumum wage ... out in Ohio, same thing.

**alloy2** · 09-24-2016, 02:09 PM

Stufin burgers with pickles and secret sauce, at least you'll be warm and dry, no wear and tear on clothing and no need to wear those horrible stiff safety boots. That will set you back a months wages for a decent pair.

**alloy2** · 09-24-2016, 02:15 PM

Originally Posted by arb

It should go without say this is a dangerous job.

Labors who work on the cheap are considered disposible, if you missed a couple of days with a back injury top brass would pick up the phone then place another order with the Temp Placment.

You would be lucky if you were even covered by workmans comp, as your employer would claim you had'nt passed your probationary period of that you were a contractor.

Who is your main heath care provider now, Obbee Care.

**MattInTheHat** · 09-24-2016, 07:57 PM

with your knowledge you may be able work your way up into a management position after a while

**RLS0812** · 09-24-2016, 08:02 PM

**dave** · 09-24-2016, 09:21 PM

If you are there via a temp agency now you better keep your options open if you think there will be a big "negotiation". If you like to work a bit more than most folks STAY THERE! $10.00/hr Va Beach

**ozzy214** · 09-24-2016, 10:52 PM

Plain and simple...minimun wage. Unless your doing a skilled laber like dismantle cars, etc...then maybe 10 a hour. This is alos dependign on area and cost of living.

**mikeinreco** · 09-24-2016, 11:07 PM

I was going to say around $8/hr

**webuyselltradestuff** · 09-24-2016, 11:45 PM

Here is the honest truth...I am not sure how many times you have "negotiated" for a job like this....and please note, this is NOT to insult you, but the "knowledge" you have is fairly easy to acquire for many people (they just need a couple of months helping and they can do most of the things that come across the scales).

So, that being said...work at a scrapyard (outside management) is going to be at the bottom of the barrel....again all depends on your location...I would guess most guys in the yard make $8-10/hr in most places...it is manual labor and there is a LONG line of people to replace you.

NOW, a good judge/starting point is "how much do you make from the temp agency?"...they typically charge the company 125-150% of what you get for manual labor. The company isn't going to pay you that same amount the temp agency takes because they don't have the employee expenses like you have as an employee (payroll, taxes, etc etc etc). So if you are making $10/hr at the agency to do this job, then they are making $12.50-15/hr and taking the spread.

NOW, let discuss "negotiation" of salary. I have worked a number of jobs including management ones. You are not going to get to "negotiate" a **** thing most likely. IF IF IF...you can PROVE you are worth more than the next temp agency guy and they actually NEED someone with that extra knowledge you MIGHT can get $9-11 MAYBE MAYBE $12/hr if the range is $8-10/hr. 99% of the time, you are given, "we are paying $XX for this job" and it is a take it or leave it proposition. Once you have been there 6 months or more, then maybe you can talk about a raise, ESPECIALLY if you show how much extra worth you are. THAT IS THE REALITY....seriously.

Even with 20+ years of sales and cust ser exp for instance, I can only demand SLIGHTLY more than the base of the range they offer...on a good day. And I am pretty good at negotiations and have a HUGE variety of skills to back it up. AGAIN, welcome to the real world here...unless you OWN it or have some specific skills that are rare, they can always call the next on the list. This is why I tend to try to OWN my own businesses as much as I can, granted that comes with it's own headaches. Now CONSULTING...being able to attach that to your name allows you to charge a F ton more, but they expect results for your fee. That comes in later and you better know your SH$%.

Good luck. Take that simple math I gave you above and you will know what they pay the temp agency....you aren't going to get close to that.

**alloy2** · 09-25-2016, 12:08 AM

Originally Posted by webuyselltradestuff

Here is the honest truth...I am not sure how many times you have "negotiated" for a job like this....and please note, this is to insult you, but the "knowledge" you have is fairly easy to acquire for many people (they just need a couple of months helping and they can do most of the things that come across the scales).

So, that being said...work at a scrapyard (outside management) is going to be at the bottom of the barrel....again all depends on your location...I would guess most guys in the yard make $8-10/hr in most places...it is manual labor and there is a LONG line of people to replace you.

NOW, a good judge/starting point is "how much do you make from the temp agency?"...they typically charge the company 125-150% of what you get for manual labor. The company isn't going to pay you that same amount the temp agency takes because they don't have the employee expenses like you have as an employee (payroll, taxes, etc etc etc). So if you are making $10/hr at the agency to do this job, then they are making $12.50-15/hr and taking the spread.

NOW, let discuss "negotiation" of salary. I have worked a number of jobs including management ones. You are not going to get to "negotiate" a **** thing most likely. IF IF IF...you can PROVE you are worth more than the next temp agency guy and they actually NEED someone with that extra knowledge you MIGHT can get $9-11 MAYBE MAYBE $12/hr if the range is $8-10/hr. 99% of the time, you are given, "we are paying $XX for this job" and it is a take it or leave it proposition. Once you have been there 6 months or more, then maybe you can talk about a raise, ESPECIALLY if you show how much extra worth you are. THAT IS THE REALITY....seriously.

Even with 20+ years of sales and cust ser exp for instance, I can only demand SLIGHTLY more than the base of the range they offer...on a good day. And I am pretty good at negotiations and have a HUGE variety of skills to back it up. AGAIN, welcome to the real world here...unless you OWN it or have some specific skills that are rare, they can always call the next on the list. This is why I tend to try to OWN my own businesses as much as I can, granted that comes with it's own headaches. Now CONSULTING...being able to attach that to your name allows you to charge a F ton more, but they expect results for your fee. That comes in later and you better know your SH$%.

Good luck. Take that simple math I gave you above and you will know what they pay the temp agency....you aren't going to get close to that.

Amen.

Loved it, negotiating for a scrap yard position.

Most folk consider themselves lucky just to be handed a job application - Don't call us we'll call you.

**Scrappah** · 09-25-2016, 08:23 AM

Scrap Metal Recycling Industry Wages, Hourly Wage Rate | PayScale

**RLS0812** · 09-25-2016, 09:36 AM

Originally Posted by Scrappah

Scrap Metal Recycling Industry Wages, Hourly Wage Rate | PayScale

That seems a bit high, but again it all depends on were you live.

The official unemployment rate here reached 11.9% last month, so I bet there would be an army of folks who would be willing to work in a yard for less than minimum if given the chance

**Scrappah** · 09-25-2016, 05:47 PM

Industry: Scrap Metal Recycling Median Hourly Rate by Job
Job

Heavy Equipment Operator
$14.27

Office Manager
$14.61
Truck Driver, Heavy / Tractor-Trailer
$17.30
Crane Operator
$14.94
Forklift Operator
$11.00
Equipment Operator
$14.00
Laborer
$11.71
Country: United States | Currency: USD | Updated: 22 Sep 2016 | Individuals Reporting: 398
================================================== ===========

You're right ... it varies a lot from place to place. If you live in a place that has a high cost of living then you have to make more to be able to afford to live there.There are some cities where the proposed minimum wage is fifteen dollars an hour.

We have a high cost of living here. I know of a job washing dishes in the kitchen that just came up. It pays 13.00 $/hr plus benefits after your probationary period.

There's a pattern with the scrap yard jobs. The guy working with his hands doing the laborer work is treated more like dispoz-a-help. He's the low man on the totem pole.The guy with the class A semi truck driver's license is the one who is paid the most. The equipment operators fall somewhere in the middle.

If you want to work in a scrap yard it makes the most sense to be able to bring some prior experience operating heavy equipment to the table. Any special licenses that you hold give you more value in the eyes of a perspective employer.

If you have those things, and your perspective employer is in need of someone with those qualifications, then you're in a position to negotiate.

So ... are we thinking 7.25$ - 12.00$/hr for a yard worker job is a reasonable expectation depending on where you live ?

**webuyselltradestuff** · 09-25-2016, 07:00 PM

I think you are pretty accurate there Scrappah...and you are right, running heavy equipment or drivers of larger trucks would make more....all falls back to skillset. Anyone can be taught to separate basics and a strong back is all that is needed. I have argued this over and over with the $15/hr for McDonalds people...if you have the common skillset, then the value is low...the higher the skillset and rarity of said skillset directly affects how much money you can demand

**arb** · 09-25-2016, 08:02 PM

I've a mix of various skills.

Also, this is a pretty large, high volume yard. (~20 employees)

(Also, in re to other posts and the use of 'negotiate' .. I tend to use words pedantically. We negotiate things 100+ of times per day.)

I'm making more than 8.00 but wasn't expecting more than 11.00 (Because once this is set, in any amount, it's pretty much set in stone. I wanted a general idea of industry pay rates.) Negotiation in the sense that I could take it or leave it but I didn't want high expectations. Of course I'm not looking for an outrageous wage. I actually like the physical activity. An office job would certainly pay more but it would likely drive me to chew lead.

What is a good hourly wage for working at a scrap yard?

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