§1The market
The Richmond, VA metropolitan statistical area had 14 private wood container and pallet manufacturing establishments (NAICS 321920) in the 2024 QCEW annual average, 24% of Virginia's 58. Among the 128 metro areas with at least five such plants, it ranks 37th by count.
That is down from 15 in 2020 (−6.7%).
BLS disclosed employment of 455 for 2023, with average annual pay of $56,117, against $50,130 statewide and $52,196 nationally.
12 sawmill establishments (NAICS 321113) were also counted in the metro in 2024.
Diesel in the Lower Atlantic (PADD 1C) region averaged $5.744 a gallon in October 2026 (EIA), the freight context for deliveries here.
§2By year
| Year | Plants | Employment | Average pay |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 15 | 408 | $42,225 |
| 2021 | 14 | 402 | $46,056 |
| 2022 | 15 | 436 | $52,692 |
| 2023 | 15 | 455 | $56,117 |
| 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 Richmond, VA 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 Virginia: Virginia Beach, VA (6).
Larger metro clusters in neighbouring states: Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC (38), Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN (30), Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN (24).