§1The market
New Mexico had 6 private establishments in NAICS 321920, wood container and pallet manufacturing, in the 2025 annual average, 0.2% of the U.S. total of 3,143. That ranks 44th of the 50 states with QCEW data for the industry.
That is up 50.0% from 4 in 2020, against +5.8% nationally.
Employment averaged 62 in 2025 (−19.5% since 2021), at an average annual pay of $39,253, 27.7% below the industry's national average.
For raw material, New Mexico had 14 sawmill establishments (NAICS 321113) in 2025, employing 92 in 2023. Sawmills outnumber pallet plants in the state.
Pallet plants were recorded in 4 counties in 2025.
Freight context: retail diesel in the Gulf Coast (PADD 3) region averaged $5.871 a gallon in October 2026, +77.0% on a year earlier (EIA).
§2New Mexico by year
| Year | Plants | Employment | Average pay |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 4 | not disclosed | not disclosed |
| 2021 | 4 | 77 | $32,040 |
| 2022 | 5 | 79 | $37,270 |
| 2023 | 6 | 85 | $38,877 |
| 2024 | 6 | 83 | $38,338 |
| 2025 | 6 | 62 | $39,253 |
Sawmills (NAICS 321113) in New Mexico: 2020 14, 2021 14, 2022 12, 2023 12, 2024 12, 2025 14.
§3What it means for buyers
With only 6 plants, buyers in New Mexico should expect to source across state lines, starting with Texas (190 plants), and should agree delivery charges and lead times carefully.
Supply clusters in Albuquerque, NM; see the metro pages below.
States with a similar number of plants: Alaska (5), Montana (6), Rhode Island (5), North Dakota (7).
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Albuquerque, NM | 5 | not disclosed |