Pallet supply market: California

§1The market

California had 364 private establishments in NAICS 321920, wood container and pallet manufacturing, in the 2025 annual average, 11.6% of the U.S. total of 3,143. That ranks 1st of the 50 states with QCEW data for the industry.

That is up 19.7% from 304 in 2020, against +5.8% nationally.

Employment averaged 6,360 in 2025 (+3.9% since 2020), at an average annual pay of $53,762, 1.0% below the industry's national average.

For raw material, California had 53 sawmill establishments (NAICS 321113) in 2025, employing 3,593 in 2025. Pallet plants outnumber sawmills in the state.

Pallet plants were recorded in 33 counties in 2025.

Freight context: retail diesel in the California region averaged $8.143 a gallon in October 2026, +65.0% on a year earlier (EIA).

§2California by year

Sawmills (NAICS 321113) in California: 2020 64, 2021 63, 2022 61, 2023 60, 2024 56, 2025 53.

§3What it means for buyers

With 364 plants, California supports a competitive RFQ inside the state: invite suppliers close to each delivery point, since freight is a large share of delivered price.

Supply clusters in Los Angeles, CA, Riverside, CA, San Diego, CA; see the metro pages below.

States with a similar number of plants: Texas (190), Ohio (189), Pennsylvania (189), Illinois (169).

Ask each bidder which plant will ship to you, and price delivery as its own line in the bid-leveling sheet.

§4Metro areas

§5Neighbouring states