§1The market
The Madison, WI metropolitan statistical area had 10 private wood container and pallet manufacturing establishments (NAICS 321920) in the 2024 QCEW annual average, 9% of Wisconsin's 107. Among the 128 metro areas with at least five such plants, it ranks 55th by count.
That is up from 9 in 2020 (+11.1%).
BLS disclosed employment of 198 for 2023, with average annual pay of $40,809, against $48,244 statewide and $52,196 nationally.
2 sawmill establishments (NAICS 321113) were also counted in the metro in 2024.
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 | 9 | 186 | $35,080 |
| 2021 | 9 | 184 | $40,339 |
| 2022 | 9 | 203 | $41,185 |
| 2023 | 10 | 198 | $40,809 |
| 2024 | 10 | not disclosed | not disclosed |
BLS had not published 2025 metro-area figures when this page was built; state pages carry 2025.
§3Buying here
With 10 plants, the Madison, WI 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 Wisconsin: Milwaukee, WI (25), Green Bay, WI (12), Appleton, WI (8).
Larger metro clusters in neighbouring states: Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN (111).