§1The market
Louisiana had 24 private establishments in NAICS 321920, wood container and pallet manufacturing, in the 2025 annual average, 0.8% of the U.S. total of 3,143. That ranks 31st of the 50 states with QCEW data for the industry.
That is up 4.3% from 23 in 2020, against +5.8% nationally.
Employment averaged 565 in 2025 (+33.3% since 2020), at an average annual pay of $43,921, 19.1% below the industry's national average.
For raw material, Louisiana had 50 sawmill establishments (NAICS 321113) in 2025, employing 2,037 in 2025. Sawmills outnumber pallet plants in the state.
Pallet plants were recorded in 14 counties in 2025.
Freight context: retail diesel in the Gulf Coast (PADD 3) region averaged $5.871 a gallon in October 2026, +77.0% on a year earlier (EIA).
§2Louisiana by year
| Year | Plants | Employment | Average pay |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 23 | 424 | $33,962 |
| 2021 | 21 | 477 | $36,957 |
| 2022 | 20 | 516 | $41,457 |
| 2023 | 20 | 536 | $41,808 |
| 2024 | 24 | 604 | $42,869 |
| 2025 | 24 | 565 | $43,921 |
Sawmills (NAICS 321113) in Louisiana: 2020 45, 2021 48, 2022 50, 2023 53, 2024 49, 2025 50.
§3What it means for buyers
Louisiana's 24 plants give a workable in-state field, but a secondary supplier may need to come from a neighbouring state; Texas has the most nearby capacity (190 plants).
Supply clusters in Hammond, LA, Monroe, LA; see the metro pages below.
States with a similar number of plants: Maryland (23), Idaho (24), Nevada (23), Oklahoma (29).
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Hammond, LA | 6 | 163 |
| Monroe, LA | 5 | not disclosed |
§5Neighbouring states
| State | Plants | Average pay (latest disclosed) |
|---|---|---|
| Texas | 190 | $54,508 |
| Arkansas | 48 | $39,847 |
| Mississippi | 42 | $61,015 |