§1The market
The Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD metropolitan statistical area had 17 private wood container and pallet manufacturing establishments (NAICS 321920) in the 2024 QCEW annual average, 77% of Maryland's 22. Among the 128 metro areas with at least five such plants, it ranks 29th by count.
That is up from 16 in 2020 (+6.3%).
BLS disclosed employment of 365 for 2023, with average annual pay of $61,018, against $58,822 statewide and $52,196 nationally.
8 sawmill establishments (NAICS 321113) were also counted in the metro in 2024.
Diesel in the Central Atlantic (PADD 1B) region averaged $6.490 a gallon in October 2026 (EIA), the freight context for deliveries here.
§2By year
| Year | Plants | Employment | Average pay |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 16 | 239 | $51,998 |
| 2021 | 16 | 236 | $54,673 |
| 2022 | 17 | 331 | $61,375 |
| 2023 | 17 | 365 | $61,018 |
| 2024 | 17 | not disclosed | not disclosed |
BLS had not published 2025 metro-area figures when this page was built; state pages carry 2025.
§3Buying here
With 17 plants, the Baltimore, MD 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.
The nearest metro clusters in neighbouring states: Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD (34), Pittsburgh, PA (30), Richmond, VA (14), Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA (12).