Scrap Dealer
The materials trader — buying and selling scrap metal and recyclable materials.
What it's like to be a Scrap Dealer
As a Scrap Dealer, you buy and sell scrap materials — metals, recyclables, or salvage goods. You might purchase scrap from businesses and individuals, process it, and sell to recyclers or manufacturers. It's a trading business where you make money on the spread between buying and selling prices.
Your day involves evaluating materials, negotiating purchases, managing inventory, and selling to buyers. You need to know current market prices, identify materials accurately, and understand processing requirements. Some dealers operate yards; others are brokers connecting sellers with processors.
The challenge is that scrap prices fluctuate with commodity markets, creating margin volatility. You need to understand your costs, manage inventory timing, and maintain relationships on both buying and selling sides. Market knowledge and operational efficiency determine profitability.
Where this role sits in the broader career landscape — and where it can take you.
Roles like this one sit within a broader occupational category. The numbers below reflect that full landscape — helpful for context, but your specific experience will depend on level, specialty, and where you work.
How this category is changing
Skills & Requirements
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