§1The market
The Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC metropolitan statistical area had 8 private wood container and pallet manufacturing establishments (NAICS 321920) in the 2024 QCEW annual average, 8% of North Carolina's 104. Among the 128 metro areas with at least five such plants, it ranks 68th by count.
The count was unchanged from 2020.
BLS disclosed employment of 300 for 2023, with average annual pay of $40,993, against $49,209 statewide and $52,196 nationally.
7 sawmill establishments (NAICS 321113) were also counted in the metro in 2024.
Diesel in the Lower Atlantic (PADD 1C) region averaged $5.744 a gallon in October 2026 (EIA), the freight context for deliveries here.
§2By year
| Year | Plants | Employment | Average pay |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 8 | 290 | $32,393 |
| 2021 | 8 | 263 | $37,430 |
| 2022 | 8 | 281 | $41,540 |
| 2023 | 8 | 300 | $40,993 |
| 2024 | 8 | not disclosed | not disclosed |
BLS had not published 2025 metro-area figures when this page was built; state pages carry 2025.
§3Buying here
With 8 plants, the Hickory, NC 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 North Carolina: Charlotte, NC (38), Winston, NC (6).
Larger metro clusters in neighbouring states: Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA (43), Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN (24).