How do you calculate parts salvage value?

Multiply salvageable parts by recoverable value per part by the usable recovery share, then add any fixed resale credit. For 100 parts at $45 with an 80% recovery share plus a $250 credit: 100 x 45 x 0.80 = $3,600 gross, + $250 = $3,850 net.

What is the usable salvage recovery share?

It is the fraction of harvested parts that are actually resellable after testing — not bent, not damaged in removal, not obsolete. An 80% share means one in five harvested parts is unusable, which is realistic for hand-pulled components.

Net salvage value per part — what does it mean?

It is total net salvage divided by the number of donor parts. In the worked example, $3,850 across 100 parts is $38.50 per part, a quick yardstick for whether harvesting beats the labor to pull each part.

When should I scrap a unit instead of salvaging it?

Scrap when net salvage value per part falls below the fully loaded labor cost to remove, test, and list each part. If pulling a part costs $40 in labor but nets $38.50, you're losing money on the harvest.

What is the fixed resale credit or value adjustment?

It is a flat dollar add or subtract independent of part count — for example a whole-unit resale credit, a documented buyer rebate, or a disposal cost netted out. In the example it adds $250 to gross salvage.

Does salvage value account for removal labor?

Not directly. This computes recoverable value; you compare it against your separate removal-and-listing labor cost to decide whether the harvest is worth it. Bake recurring labor into the recovery share or the fixed adjustment if you want a fully netted figure.

Electronics Repair, Refurbishment & Depot Operations calculator

Parts Salvage Value Calculator

Parts salvage value estimates the dollars recoverable from harvesting good components and donor units out of boards that are beyond economic repair. Refurbishment and reverse-logistics teams use it to decide whether to scrap a unit outright or strip it for resellable parts, and to set internal credit for harvested inventory. It matters because a depot that ignores salvage leaves real margin in the scrap bin: a single donor board can yield connectors, displays, or ICs worth more than the labor to pull them. This calculator nets the realistic recovered value after accounting for the share of parts that are actually usable.

What this calculator does

Estimate recoverable value from harvested displays, boards, power supplies, connectors, batteries, housings, or modules pulled from non-repairable electronics.
Use it when parts salvage value in electronics repair, refurbishment and depot operations is being put through a electronics repair, refurbishment and depot operations weighted-cost review.
It computes net salvage dollars from donor parts, their per-part value, the usable recovery share, and a fixed resale credit or adjustment.

Formula used

Gross usable salvage value = salvageable parts or donor units × recoverable value per part × usable salvage recovery share
Net parts salvage value = gross usable salvage value + fixed resale credit or value adjustment

Inputs explained

Salvageable parts or donor units:
Recoverable value per part:
Usable salvage recovery share:
Fixed resale credit or value adjustment:

How to use the result

Use it when deciding scrap-versus-harvest, valuing a batch of donor units, or setting internal credit for salvaged inventory.
Recoverable value per part is a market estimate that drifts; obsolete or fast-depreciating components can be worth far less by the time they're pulled and listed.

Current U.S. benchmarks

The producer price index for copper and brass mill shapes stands at 559.593 (BLS, May 2026), up 76.8% from a year earlier. Quotes priced off last quarter's material cost miss this move. Global copper trades at $13,484 per tonne (IMF via FRED, May 2026).
U.S. manufacturing runs at 75.6% of capacity (Federal Reserve, May 2026). New factory orders are up 2.3% year over year (Census).
The U.S. has 11,261 computer and electronic products establishments employing about 815,443 workers (Census County Business Patterns, 2023).

Common questions

How do you calculate parts salvage value? Multiply salvageable parts by recoverable value per part by the usable recovery share, then add any fixed resale credit. For 100 parts at $45 with an 80% recovery share plus a $250 credit: 100 x 45 x 0.80 = $3,600 gross, + $250 = $3,850 net.
What is the usable salvage recovery share? It is the fraction of harvested parts that are actually resellable after testing — not bent, not damaged in removal, not obsolete. An 80% share means one in five harvested parts is unusable, which is realistic for hand-pulled components.
Net salvage value per part — what does it mean? It is total net salvage divided by the number of donor parts. In the worked example, $3,850 across 100 parts is $38.50 per part, a quick yardstick for whether harvesting beats the labor to pull each part.
When should I scrap a unit instead of salvaging it? Scrap when net salvage value per part falls below the fully loaded labor cost to remove, test, and list each part. If pulling a part costs $40 in labor but nets $38.50, you're losing money on the harvest.
What is the fixed resale credit or value adjustment? It is a flat dollar add or subtract independent of part count — for example a whole-unit resale credit, a documented buyer rebate, or a disposal cost netted out. In the example it adds $250 to gross salvage.

Last reviewed 2026-05-12.