§1The market
Alaska had 5 private establishments in NAICS 321920, wood container and pallet manufacturing, in the 2025 annual average, 0.2% of the U.S. total of 3,143. That ranks 45th of the 50 states with QCEW data for the industry.
That is up 66.7% from 3 in 2020, against +5.8% nationally.
Employment averaged 24 in 2022 (0.0% since 2021), at an average annual pay of $54,684, 6.6% above the industry's national average.
For raw material, Alaska had 10 sawmill establishments (NAICS 321113) in 2025, employing 90 in 2025. Sawmills outnumber pallet plants in the state.
Pallet plants were recorded in 3 counties in 2025.
Freight context: retail diesel in the West Coast less California (PADD 5) region averaged $6.567 a gallon in October 2026, +61.7% on a year earlier (EIA).
§2Alaska by year
| Year | Plants | Employment | Average pay |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 3 | not disclosed | not disclosed |
| 2021 | 4 | 24 | $43,413 |
| 2022 | 4 | 24 | $54,684 |
| 2023 | 5 | not disclosed | not disclosed |
| 2024 | 5 | not disclosed | not disclosed |
| 2025 | 5 | not disclosed | not disclosed |
Sawmills (NAICS 321113) in Alaska: 2020 10, 2021 11, 2022 10, 2023 10, 2024 10, 2025 10.
§3What it means for buyers
With only 5 plants, buyers in Alaska should expect to source across state lines, and should agree delivery charges and lead times carefully.
States with a similar number of plants: Rhode Island (5), New Mexico (6), Delaware (4), Montana (6).
Ask each bidder which plant will ship to you, and price delivery as its own line in the bid-leveling sheet.
§4Neighbouring states
| State | Plants | Average pay (latest disclosed) |
|---|
Alaska has no land border with another state, so out-of-state supply arrives by sea or air freight.