§1The market
The Sioux City, IA-NE-SD metropolitan statistical area had 5 private wood container and pallet manufacturing establishments (NAICS 321920) in the 2024 QCEW annual average. Among the 128 metro areas with at least five such plants, it ranks 122nd by count.
The metro area spans IA, NE, SD, so its plants are not all in Iowa; compare with the state pages for each.
That is down from 7 in 2020 (−28.6%).
BLS disclosed employment of 127 for 2022, with average annual pay of $55,342, against $53,398 statewide and $51,296 nationally.
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 | 7 | 131 | $40,964 |
| 2021 | 7 | 130 | $46,351 |
| 2022 | 7 | 127 | $55,342 |
| 2023 | 6 | not disclosed | not disclosed |
| 2024 | 5 | not disclosed | not disclosed |
BLS had not published 2025 metro-area figures when this page was built; state pages carry 2025.
§3Buying here
With 5 plants, the Sioux City, IA 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 Iowa: Des Moines, IA (6), Davenport, IA (5), Waterloo, IA (5).
Larger metro clusters in neighbouring states: Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN (111).