§1The market
The Johnson City, TN metropolitan statistical area had 5 private wood container and pallet manufacturing establishments (NAICS 321920) in the 2024 QCEW annual average, 4% of Tennessee's 142. Among the 128 metro areas with at least five such plants, it ranks 117th by count.
That is up from 4 in 2020 (+25.0%).
BLS disclosed employment of 117 for 2023, with average annual pay of $82,971, against $48,324 statewide and $52,196 nationally.
1 sawmill establishments (NAICS 321113) were also counted in the metro in 2021.
Diesel in the Midwest (PADD 2) region averaged $6.344 a gallon in October 2026 (EIA), the freight context for deliveries here.
§2By year
| Year | Plants | Employment | Average pay |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 4 | not disclosed | not disclosed |
| 2021 | 4 | not disclosed | not disclosed |
| 2022 | 5 | 131 | $88,675 |
| 2023 | 5 | 117 | $82,971 |
| 2024 | 5 | not disclosed | not disclosed |
BLS had not published 2025 metro-area figures when this page was built; state pages carry 2025.
§3Buying here
With 5 plants, the Johnson City, TN 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 Tennessee: Nashville, TN (24), Memphis, TN (20), Knoxville, TN (16), Jackson, TN (9), Chattanooga, TN (6).