§1The market
The Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI metropolitan statistical area had 21 private wood container and pallet manufacturing establishments (NAICS 321920) in the 2024 QCEW annual average, 21% of Michigan's 100. Among the 128 metro areas with at least five such plants, it ranks 24th by count.
That is down from 23 in 2020 (−8.7%).
BLS disclosed employment of 374 for 2023, with average annual pay of $51,781, against $62,136 statewide and $52,196 nationally.
3 sawmill establishments (NAICS 321113) were also counted in the metro in 2024.
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 | 23 | 287 | $41,694 |
| 2021 | 23 | 289 | $44,370 |
| 2022 | 25 | 313 | $48,880 |
| 2023 | 27 | 374 | $51,781 |
| 2024 | 21 | not disclosed | not disclosed |
BLS had not published 2025 metro-area figures when this page was built; state pages carry 2025.
§3Buying here
With 21 plants, the Detroit, MI 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 Michigan: Grand Rapids, MI (26).
Larger metro clusters in neighbouring states: Cleveland, OH (32), Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN (26), Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI (25).