§1The market
North Dakota had 7 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 42nd of the 50 states with QCEW data for the industry.
That is up 40.0% from 5 in 2020, against +5.8% nationally.
Employment averaged 109 in 2025 (+65.2% since 2020), at an average annual pay of $51,824, 4.6% below the industry's national average.
Pallet plants were recorded in 3 counties in 2025.
Freight context: retail diesel in the Midwest (PADD 2) region averaged $6.344 a gallon in October 2026, +74.3% on a year earlier (EIA).
§2North Dakota by year
| Year | Plants | Employment | Average pay |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 5 | 66 | $45,637 |
| 2021 | 4 | 78 | $42,655 |
| 2022 | 5 | 79 | $47,223 |
| 2023 | 5 | 75 | $51,164 |
| 2024 | 6 | 94 | $51,662 |
| 2025 | 7 | 109 | $51,824 |
§3What it means for buyers
With only 7 plants, buyers in North Dakota should expect to source across state lines, starting with Minnesota (62 plants), and should agree delivery charges and lead times carefully.
Supply clusters in Fargo, ND; see the metro pages below.
States with a similar number of plants: Montana (6), South Dakota (11), New Mexico (6), New Hampshire (14).
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Fargo, ND-MN | 5 | 60 |
§5Neighbouring states
| State | Plants | Average pay (latest disclosed) |
|---|---|---|
| Minnesota | 62 | $56,126 |
| South Dakota | 11 | not disclosed |
| Montana | 6 | $42,265 |