§1The market
The Salem, OR metropolitan statistical area had 14 private wood container and pallet manufacturing establishments (NAICS 321920) in the 2024 QCEW annual average, 22% of Oregon's 64. Among the 128 metro areas with at least five such plants, it ranks 38th by count.
That is up from 12 in 2020 (+16.7%).
BLS did not disclose employment or wages for this metro in any year from 2020 to 2024.
6 sawmill establishments (NAICS 321113) were also counted in the metro in 2024.
Diesel in the West Coast less California (PADD 5) region averaged $6.567 a gallon in October 2026 (EIA), the freight context for deliveries here.
§2By year
| Year | Plants | Employment | Average pay |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 12 | not disclosed | not disclosed |
| 2021 | 12 | not disclosed | not disclosed |
| 2022 | 12 | not disclosed | not disclosed |
| 2023 | 15 | not disclosed | not disclosed |
| 2024 | 14 | not disclosed | not disclosed |
BLS had not published 2025 metro-area figures when this page was built; state pages carry 2025.
§3Buying here
With 14 plants, the Salem, OR 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 Oregon: Portland, OR (27), Albany, OR (8).
Larger metro clusters in neighbouring states: Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA (116), Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA (90).