§1The market
The Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL metropolitan statistical area had 29 private wood container and pallet manufacturing establishments (NAICS 321920) in the 2024 QCEW annual average, 27% of Florida's 106. Among the 128 metro areas with at least five such plants, it ranks 13th by count.
That is up from 23 in 2020 (+26.1%).
BLS disclosed employment of 375 for 2024, with average annual pay of $48,795, against $56,323 statewide and $53,506 nationally.
4 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 | 23 | not disclosed | not disclosed |
| 2021 | 26 | 316 | $52,440 |
| 2022 | 27 | 365 | $52,500 |
| 2023 | 30 | 365 | $47,317 |
| 2024 | 29 | 375 | $48,795 |
BLS had not published 2025 metro-area figures when this page was built; state pages carry 2025.
§3Buying here
With 29 plants, the Miami, FL area can usually support a local RFQ with several bidders inside a short delivery radius. An establishment is a location, not a company, so two plants may belong to one supplier.
Other metro areas in Florida: Tampa, FL (18), Lakeland, FL (12), Orlando, FL (12), Jacksonville, FL (10).