§1The market
Utah had 37 private establishments in NAICS 321920, wood container and pallet manufacturing, in the 2025 annual average, 1.2% of the U.S. total of 3,143. That ranks 27th of the 50 states with QCEW data for the industry.
That is up 5.7% from 35 in 2020, against +5.8% nationally.
Employment averaged 778 in 2025 (+24.3% since 2020), at an average annual pay of $51,642, 4.9% below the industry's national average.
For raw material, Utah had 14 sawmill establishments (NAICS 321113) in 2025, employing 134 in 2025. Pallet plants outnumber sawmills in the state.
Pallet plants were recorded in 9 counties in 2025.
Freight context: retail diesel in the Rocky Mountain (PADD 4) region averaged $6.378 a gallon in October 2026, +74.7% on a year earlier (EIA).
§2Utah by year
| Year | Plants | Employment | Average pay |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 35 | 626 | $40,786 |
| 2021 | 35 | 644 | $44,343 |
| 2022 | 35 | 628 | $48,235 |
| 2023 | 36 | 639 | $51,363 |
| 2024 | 35 | 726 | $51,689 |
| 2025 | 37 | 778 | $51,642 |
Sawmills (NAICS 321113) in Utah: 2020 11, 2021 12, 2022 10, 2023 10, 2024 12, 2025 14.
§3What it means for buyers
Utah's 37 plants give a workable in-state field, but a secondary supplier may need to come from a neighbouring state; Arizona has the most nearby capacity (40 plants).
Supply clusters in Salt Lake City, UT, Logan, UT, Ogden, UT; see the metro pages below.
States with a similar number of plants: Massachusetts (32), Arizona (40), Oklahoma (29), Mississippi (42).
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Salt Lake City-Murray, UT | 14 | not disclosed |
| Logan, UT-ID | 6 | 129 |
| Ogden, UT | 6 | 141 |