§1The market
New Hampshire had 14 private establishments in NAICS 321920, wood container and pallet manufacturing, in the 2025 annual average, 0.4% of the U.S. total of 3,143. That ranks 40th of the 50 states with QCEW data for the industry.
That is up 27.3% from 11 in 2020, against +5.8% nationally.
Employment averaged 100 in 2025 (+7.5% since 2020), at an average annual pay of $49,466, 8.9% below the industry's national average.
For raw material, New Hampshire had 29 sawmill establishments (NAICS 321113) in 2025, employing 518 in 2025. Sawmills outnumber pallet plants in the state.
Pallet plants were recorded in 7 counties in 2025.
Freight context: retail diesel in the New England (PADD 1A) region averaged $6.452 a gallon in October 2026, +63.5% on a year earlier (EIA).
§2New Hampshire by year
| Year | Plants | Employment | Average pay |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 11 | 93 | $42,722 |
| 2021 | 11 | 93 | $43,973 |
| 2022 | 13 | 114 | $44,208 |
| 2023 | 14 | 108 | $46,457 |
| 2024 | 14 | 106 | $47,473 |
| 2025 | 14 | 100 | $49,466 |
Sawmills (NAICS 321113) in New Hampshire: 2020 30, 2021 33, 2022 33, 2023 33, 2024 30, 2025 29.
§3What it means for buyers
With only 14 plants, buyers in New Hampshire should expect to source across state lines, starting with Massachusetts (32 plants), and should agree delivery charges and lead times carefully.
States with a similar number of plants: South Dakota (11), West Virginia (15), North Dakota (7), Maine (15).
Ask each bidder which plant will ship to you, and price delivery as its own line in the bid-leveling sheet.
§4Metro areas
| Metro area | Plants | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | 22 | 313 |
§5Neighbouring states
| State | Plants | Average pay (latest disclosed) |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts | 32 | $67,492 |
| Maine | 15 | $59,473 |
| Vermont | 4 | $38,092 |