§1The market
The Pittsburgh, PA metropolitan statistical area had 30 private wood container and pallet manufacturing establishments (NAICS 321920) in the 2024 QCEW annual average, 16% of Pennsylvania's 191. Among the 128 metro areas with at least five such plants, it ranks 12th by count.
That is up from 28 in 2020 (+7.1%).
BLS disclosed employment of 252 for 2023, with average annual pay of $38,453, against $50,549 statewide and $52,196 nationally.
20 sawmill establishments (NAICS 321113) were also counted in the metro in 2024.
Diesel in the Central Atlantic (PADD 1B) region averaged $6.490 a gallon in October 2026 (EIA), the freight context for deliveries here.
§2By year
| Year | Plants | Employment | Average pay |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 28 | 274 | $37,457 |
| 2021 | 28 | 255 | $40,905 |
| 2022 | 27 | 254 | $35,939 |
| 2023 | 25 | 252 | $38,453 |
| 2024 | 30 | not disclosed | not disclosed |
BLS had not published 2025 metro-area figures when this page was built; state pages carry 2025.
§3Buying here
With 30 plants, the Pittsburgh, PA area can usually support a local RFQ with several bidders inside a short delivery radius. An establishment is a location, not a company, so two plants may belong to one supplier.
Other metro areas in Pennsylvania: Philadelphia, PA (34), Scranton, PA (12), Erie, PA (9), Harrisburg, PA (8), Lancaster, PA (8), York, PA (8), Allentown, PA (7), Reading, PA (6).