§1The market
Oklahoma had 29 private establishments in NAICS 321920, wood container and pallet manufacturing, in the 2025 annual average, 0.9% of the U.S. total of 3,143. That ranks 29th of the 50 states with QCEW data for the industry.
That is up 7.4% from 27 in 2020, against +5.8% nationally.
Employment averaged 649 in 2025 (+39.0% since 2020), at an average annual pay of $48,931, 9.9% below the industry's national average.
For raw material, Oklahoma had 16 sawmill establishments (NAICS 321113) in 2025. Pallet plants outnumber sawmills in the state.
Pallet plants were recorded in 14 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).
§2Oklahoma by year
| Year | Plants | Employment | Average pay |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 27 | 467 | $37,221 |
| 2021 | 33 | 622 | $38,980 |
| 2022 | 28 | 476 | $44,180 |
| 2023 | 28 | 591 | $47,209 |
| 2024 | 26 | 616 | $49,803 |
| 2025 | 29 | 649 | $48,931 |
Sawmills (NAICS 321113) in Oklahoma: 2020 15, 2021 15, 2022 14, 2023 14, 2024 15, 2025 16.
§3What it means for buyers
Oklahoma's 29 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 Oklahoma City, OK, Tulsa, OK; see the metro pages below.
States with a similar number of plants: Idaho (24), Massachusetts (32), Louisiana (24), Utah (37).
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Oklahoma City, OK | 7 | 236 |
| Tulsa, OK | 6 | 65 |
| Fort Smith, AR-OK | 6 | 157 |