§1The market
The Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL metropolitan statistical area had 18 private wood container and pallet manufacturing establishments (NAICS 321920) in the 2024 QCEW annual average, 17% of Florida's 106. Among the 128 metro areas with at least five such plants, it ranks 28th by count.
That is up from 14 in 2020 (+28.6%).
BLS did not disclose employment or wages for this metro in any year from 2020 to 2024.
4 sawmill establishments (NAICS 321113) were also counted in the metro in 2024.
Diesel in the Lower Atlantic (PADD 1C) region averaged $5.744 a gallon in October 2026 (EIA), the freight context for deliveries here.
§2By year
| Year | Plants | Employment | Average pay |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 14 | not disclosed | not disclosed |
| 2021 | 14 | not disclosed | not disclosed |
| 2022 | 13 | not disclosed | not disclosed |
| 2023 | 17 | not disclosed | not disclosed |
| 2024 | 18 | not disclosed | not disclosed |
BLS had not published 2025 metro-area figures when this page was built; state pages carry 2025.
§3Buying here
With 18 plants, the Tampa, FL area has a small local field; invite bidders from the wider state as well, and compare delivered cost, not price at the plant. An establishment is a location, not a company, so two plants may belong to one supplier.
Other metro areas in Florida: Miami, FL (29), Lakeland, FL (12), Orlando, FL (12), Jacksonville, FL (10).