R U Making a decent salary scrapping?

Peace Scrappers! Started really getting into scrapping this year. I started searching for info on the web for separating materials and maximizing trips to the scrap yard. Found this site and have learned a ton. Thanks everyone for sharing info. I recycle at my job so I get to surf this site at work, how cool. Now I have made scrapping a new hobby for me since I get some free scrap from work and have plenty of space to store. From scrapping I have found out that I like taking appliances and electronics apart and smashing things. Scrapping is a lot of work, but fun. Now I just want to learn how to make a decent living from scrapping. Are there very many of you scrapping as a full time job (not referring to scrap yard owners, or commercial business)? Referring to self employed average Joe scrapper?

I make more than i would make at almost any job that i can get.
However it is done in less time, when i want. I answer to no one which is the best part.
I've already worked for enough crappy people/jobs. Life is short so i want to enjoy it.

There is more to scrapping than the money, for me

Hey landmine, I'm heading over to scrap it tomorrow, hope to see you there!

I'm a strictly part timer, focusing 90% on EScrap. I do carpentry as a day job, so I just don't have time for scrapping much else... in fact, the last few weeks have been so successful I'm wayyy far behind. Got some serious stacks of towers and boards to whittle down.
Anyways, I'd say I spend an average 3 hours a day on my "hobby", including lots of driving on weekends. In my area towns are pretty far apart compared to most states. I'd say I make about the same hourly rate as my "normal" job, after taking out gas money and whatever money I may invest in my scrap. Sometimes more, sometimes less.. entirely depends on the quality of my pickups. Some pickups I make hundreds for very little effort, other times not so much. Sort of a gamble, in that respect.
But, I'd say the important thing is I'm still having a blast... I've always loved computer hardware and the history that accompanies it. It's just amazing how PCBs, processors, and such have evolved over the years, and the fact that human minds came up with this stuff. I've barely even begun to scratch the surface, most people really have no idea how deep the rabbit hole goes with this stuff. Heck, just the other day I found out what the "i" in "IMac" meant... Any guesses? Intel! Mac vs PC? All a marketing scheme. They're the same **** thing, really. Just different packaging. Ever since Mac stopped using Motorola processors and moved to Intel, they haven't truly been "Macintosh."
But that's a whole other story

Interesting. thanks for replies.

Its like anything else...You get back out of it what you put into it. I think most of us on here do it part time, with a goal of full time in the future. I'm happy with my income from it. I have some week where i make $100 gross to $400. Theres just something about making money by yourself thats priceless. I feel more confident about myself when i start my scrapping hobby! It's Just awesome!!!

I have a huge stockpile of metals and e-scrap i will be making trips to the yard soon with. Since most scrap yards keep your name on file, when do you/or at what $ amount do you legally need to claim your profit on taxes?

Yards by law ain't required to 1099 you. But according to the IRS all income is taxable

@mick, that is per year, right?

I just started, so im not making a whole lot. I really only put ads on Craigslist and earn about $20-$50 from people replying,

yes it is possible to make a decent living. I went from making $500 a week as a mechanic to making around $2000-$3000 a week in a little under six months with scrapping. The thing that you have to do is FORGET about steel. There is no money in it. You will not make any money with steel. Everyone wants to pick up steel and it cost to much to haul it and not cover the overhead. Your money is going to be in batteries, starters, alternators, radiators (brass), motors, transmissions, catalytic converters. That is the only way to make money in this industry. Dont get me wrong if i get a call for 10,000 lbs of prepared steel............YES pick it up, but if you have to work at it and prepare it...not worth it. Now, your next objective is to search for a CORE guy....very vital. You cant make money on these listed items without one. Everyone wants to pay scrap prices for these items but i assure you there are core guys out there that pay **** good money for these. I make as follows (Jacksonville, FL)

Batteries: .43 lb = 35lb battery= $15.05
Catalytic converters= $50-$775 (be careful i have lost my ass on these a couple times)
Starter, alts, Ac's= $5-$90
Motors and Trannys=$100-$3000
Radiators= $20-$300


You pull in with a truck and trailer loaded with these items and i promise you, you will be taking the wife and kids out for dinner and a movie that night. YOU WILL MAKE MONEY

Originally Posted by MetalEarthRecycling

Now I just want to learn how to make a decent living from scrapping.

scrappers Live by the day there is no salary the sky is the limit.

Jaxguy, Honestly how long have you been doing this for? I have been making my living off scrap steel. 2 to 3 thousand a week is a drop in the bucket to me. I won't talk about how much I make off it but it would embarrass the amount of money you just talked about. Non Ferrous material to me is just a pain the rear end. Way to much work in it. You probably just don't have much knowledge of torching and how to do it properly and make a killing off it. In this industry time is your friend and knowledge comes with talking to individuals in this industry asking questions and soaking up knowledge like a sponge. Trust me I started off small and graduated real quick to the top of the scrap heap. I am 31 now and have been doing it since I was a small kid. Scrap steel isn't something you want to mess with but trust me there is someone who is going to do it and make a killing off it if its done right. Good luck.

Good reading material for me. Thanks all you seasoned scrappers for posting. Right now I am just scrapping any metal or electronic i get for free. I just started so any wisdom on this subject helps bigtime.

I wish I had known there was no money in steel. A 2 day load in June grossed $1,700.

I am going to quit.