§1The market
Nebraska had 22 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 35th of the 50 states with QCEW data for the industry.
That is down 18.5% from 27 in 2020, against +5.8% nationally.
Employment averaged 395 in 2025 (−15.1% since 2020), at an average annual pay of $50,361, 7.3% below the industry's national average.
For raw material, Nebraska had 6 sawmill establishments (NAICS 321113) in 2025, employing 53 in 2020. Pallet plants outnumber sawmills in the state.
Pallet plants were recorded in 12 counties in 2025.
Freight context: retail diesel in the Midwest (PADD 2) region averaged $6.344 a gallon in October 2026, +74.3% on a year earlier (EIA).
§2Nebraska by year
| Year | Plants | Employment | Average pay |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 27 | 465 | $37,557 |
| 2021 | 28 | 482 | $40,720 |
| 2022 | 28 | 482 | $45,156 |
| 2023 | 27 | 468 | $46,790 |
| 2024 | 24 | 440 | $48,933 |
| 2025 | 22 | 395 | $50,361 |
Sawmills (NAICS 321113) in Nebraska: 2020 7, 2021 7, 2022 6, 2023 6, 2024 6, 2025 6.
§3What it means for buyers
Nebraska's 22 plants give a workable in-state field, but a secondary supplier may need to come from a neighbouring state; Missouri has the most nearby capacity (108 plants).
Supply clusters in Omaha, NE; see the metro pages below.
States with a similar number of plants: Colorado (21), Kansas (22), Connecticut (19), Nevada (23).
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Omaha, NE-IA | 7 | 192 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | 5 | 127 |