§1The market
The Worcester, MA metropolitan statistical area had 7 private wood container and pallet manufacturing establishments (NAICS 321920) in the 2024 QCEW annual average, 21% of Massachusetts's 33. Among the 128 metro areas with at least five such plants, it ranks 86th by count.
That is down from 10 in 2020 (−30.0%).
BLS did not disclose employment or wages for this metro in any year from 2020 to 2024.
4 sawmill establishments (NAICS 321113) were also counted in the metro in 2023.
Diesel in the New England (PADD 1A) region averaged $6.452 a gallon in October 2026 (EIA), the freight context for deliveries here.
§2By year
| Year | Plants | Employment | Average pay |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 10 | not disclosed | not disclosed |
| 2021 | 10 | not disclosed | not disclosed |
| 2022 | 10 | not disclosed | not disclosed |
| 2023 | 9 | not disclosed | not disclosed |
| 2024 | 7 | not disclosed | not disclosed |
BLS had not published 2025 metro-area figures when this page was built; state pages carry 2025.
§3Buying here
With 7 plants, the Worcester, MA 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 Massachusetts: Boston, MA (22), Springfield, MA (7).
Larger metro clusters in neighbouring states: New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ (61), Rochester, NY (11).