§1The market
The Winston-Salem, NC metropolitan statistical area had 6 private wood container and pallet manufacturing establishments (NAICS 321920) in the 2024 QCEW annual average, 6% of North Carolina's 104. Among the 128 metro areas with at least five such plants, it ranks 106th by count.
That is up from 5 in 2020 (+20.0%).
BLS disclosed employment of 216 for 2023, with average annual pay of $60,806, against $49,209 statewide and $52,196 nationally.
6 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 | 5 | 257 | $42,422 |
| 2021 | 6 | 248 | $43,806 |
| 2022 | 6 | 231 | $59,280 |
| 2023 | 6 | 216 | $60,806 |
| 2024 | 6 | not disclosed | not disclosed |
BLS had not published 2025 metro-area figures when this page was built; state pages carry 2025.
§3Buying here
With 6 plants, the Winston, NC 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 North Carolina: Charlotte, NC (38), Hickory, NC (8).
Larger metro clusters in neighbouring states: Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA (43), Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN (24).