§1The market
Delaware had 4 private establishments in NAICS 321920, wood container and pallet manufacturing, in the 2025 annual average, 0.1% of the U.S. total of 3,143. That ranks 47th of the 50 states with QCEW data for the industry.
The count was essentially flat against 2020 (4).
Employment averaged 109 in 2025 (+36.3% since 2020), at an average annual pay of $53,591, 1.3% below the industry's national average.
For raw material, Delaware had 1 sawmill establishments (NAICS 321113) in 2025. Pallet plants outnumber sawmills in the state.
Pallet plants were recorded in 3 counties in 2025.
Freight context: retail diesel in the Central Atlantic (PADD 1B) region averaged $6.490 a gallon in October 2026, +67.2% on a year earlier (EIA).
§2Delaware by year
| Year | Plants | Employment | Average pay |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 4 | 80 | $41,070 |
| 2021 | 5 | 91 | $50,605 |
| 2022 | 5 | 106 | $55,196 |
| 2023 | 5 | 109 | $55,419 |
| 2024 | 5 | 116 | $51,601 |
| 2025 | 4 | 109 | $53,591 |
Sawmills (NAICS 321113) in Delaware: 2020 1, 2021 1, 2022 1, 2023 1, 2024 1, 2025 1.
§3What it means for buyers
With only 4 plants, buyers in Delaware should expect to source across state lines, starting with Pennsylvania (189 plants), and should agree delivery charges and lead times carefully.
States with a similar number of plants: Vermont (4), Rhode Island (5), Wyoming (3), Alaska (5).
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | 34 | 664 |
§5Neighbouring states
| State | Plants | Average pay (latest disclosed) |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania | 189 | $53,952 |
| New Jersey | 60 | $53,999 |
| Maryland | 23 | $62,160 |