§1The market
Massachusetts had 32 private establishments in NAICS 321920, wood container and pallet manufacturing, in the 2025 annual average, 1.0% of the U.S. total of 3,143. That ranks 28th of the 50 states with QCEW data for the industry.
The count was essentially flat against 2020 (32).
Employment averaged 502 in 2025 (−39.2% since 2020), at an average annual pay of $67,492, 24.3% above the industry's national average.
For raw material, Massachusetts had 23 sawmill establishments (NAICS 321113) in 2025, employing 122 in 2023. Pallet plants outnumber sawmills in the state.
Pallet plants were recorded in 10 counties in 2025.
Freight context: retail diesel in the New England (PADD 1A) region averaged $6.452 a gallon in October 2026, +63.5% on a year earlier (EIA).
§2Massachusetts by year
| Year | Plants | Employment | Average pay |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 32 | 826 | $61,592 |
| 2021 | 32 | 811 | $69,427 |
| 2022 | 34 | 847 | $72,799 |
| 2023 | 35 | 877 | $74,077 |
| 2024 | 33 | 1,030 | $72,633 |
| 2025 | 32 | 502 | $67,492 |
Sawmills (NAICS 321113) in Massachusetts: 2020 21, 2021 23, 2022 22, 2023 21, 2024 20, 2025 23.
§3What it means for buyers
Massachusetts's 32 plants give a workable in-state field, but a secondary supplier may need to come from a neighbouring state; New York has the most nearby capacity (95 plants).
Supply clusters in Boston, MA, Springfield, MA, Worcester, MA; see the metro pages below.
States with a similar number of plants: Oklahoma (29), Utah (37), Idaho (24), Arizona (40).
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | 22 | 313 |
| Springfield, MA | 7 | 82 |
| Worcester, MA | 7 | not disclosed |
| Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | 7 | 156 |
§5Neighbouring states
| State | Plants | Average pay (latest disclosed) |
|---|---|---|
| New York | 95 | $58,674 |
| Connecticut | 19 | $51,324 |
| New Hampshire | 14 | $49,466 |
| Rhode Island | 5 | $49,234 |
| Vermont | 4 | $38,092 |