§1The market
Colorado had 21 private establishments in NAICS 321920, wood container and pallet manufacturing, in the 2025 annual average, 0.7% of the U.S. total of 3,143. That ranks 36th of the 50 states with QCEW data for the industry.
That is down 22.2% from 27 in 2020, against +5.8% nationally.
Employment averaged 407 in 2025 (−14.1% since 2020), at an average annual pay of $55,623, 2.4% above the industry's national average.
For raw material, Colorado had 24 sawmill establishments (NAICS 321113) in 2025, employing 324 in 2025. Sawmills outnumber pallet plants in the state.
Pallet plants were recorded in 10 counties in 2025.
Freight context: retail diesel in the Rocky Mountain (PADD 4) region averaged $6.378 a gallon in October 2026, +74.7% on a year earlier (EIA).
§2Colorado by year
| Year | Plants | Employment | Average pay |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 27 | 474 | $42,992 |
| 2021 | 29 | 459 | $45,187 |
| 2022 | 29 | 447 | $51,478 |
| 2023 | 28 | 412 | $54,243 |
| 2024 | 24 | 358 | $56,657 |
| 2025 | 21 | 407 | $55,623 |
Sawmills (NAICS 321113) in Colorado: 2020 28, 2021 25, 2022 25, 2023 26, 2024 25, 2025 24.
§3What it means for buyers
Colorado's 21 plants give a workable in-state field, but a secondary supplier may need to come from a neighbouring state; Arizona has the most nearby capacity (40 plants).
Supply clusters in Denver, CO, Greeley, CO; see the metro pages below.
States with a similar number of plants: Connecticut (19), Nebraska (22), Maine (15), Kansas (22).
Ask each bidder which plant will ship to you, and price delivery as its own line in the bid-leveling sheet.
§4Metro areas
| Metro area | Plants | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO | 12 | 297 |
| Greeley, CO | 5 | 61 |