Sawmills and wood preservation
NAICS Code: 321100
BLS projects Sawmills and wood preservation to contract -1.6% through 2034 - 4.0 points slower than the 2.4% average across 291 U.S. industries, faster-growing than 24% of them. Its trajectory is close to the typical U.S. industry.
Where Sawmills and wood preservation sits among all industries
Projected 2024–2034 growth across 291 U.S. industries (BLS). This industry is marked in rose.
Sawmills and wood preservation has projected growth of -1.6%. Distribution: 21 industries at -15--10%; 23 industries at -10--5%; 41 industries at -5-0%; 128 industries at 0-5%; 51 industries at 5-10%; 14 industries at 10-15%; 4 industries at 15-20%; 3 industries at 20-25%; 6 industries at 25-30%.
Industry Insight
The Sawmills and wood preservation industry is classified under NAICS code 321100 and employed approximately 90,600 workers in 2024 according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections program. By 2034, BLS projects employment will reach 89,200 - a net change of -1,400 jobs over the decade. That works out to a -1.6% projected growth rate, a contraction reflecting structural change, automation, or shifting consumer demand.
NAICS 321100 sits within a broader sector ecosystem whose health depends on demographic trends, technology adoption curves, and policy decisions on immigration, tax incentives, and labor regulation. The occupation mix inside Sawmills and wood preservation determines how AI displacement risk filters down to individual workers, industries dominated by clerical and routine analytical roles face the steepest exposure, while those anchored in physical skill, patient care, or creative judgment retain stronger resilience. The projected decline here signals workers should proactively assess transferable skills and adjacent occupations with stronger outlooks.
Use this industry profile alongside our occupation rankings and employer AI risk grades to build a full picture. The BLS publishes detailed wage and employment figures for each sector in its Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics and Employment Projections programs. The BLS Employment Projections methodology blends input-output modeling, productivity forecasts, and occupational staffing patterns, so estimates are directional rather than precise, and industry-level outcomes depend heavily on macroeconomic conditions that evolve between projection cycles.
Peer Industries by Employment
How Sawmills and wood preservation (NAICS 321100) compares to industries of similar size, ordered by 2024 BLS employment.
| Industry | 2024 | Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Engine, turbine, and power transmission equipment manufacturing | 92,800 | -4.8% |
| Sawmills and wood preservation | 90,600 | -1.6% |
| Newspaper publishers | 89,400 | -20.0% |
| Commercial and service industry machinery manufacturing | 88,700 | +1.0% |
| Textile mills | 86,600 | -9.5% |
| Iron and steel mills and ferroalloy manufacturing | 85,600 | +1.5% |
Peers are selected by similarity in 2024 employment. Figures in thousands. Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many people work in Sawmills and wood preservation?
As of 2024, the Sawmills and wood preservation industry employs approximately 90,600 workers in the United States, according to BLS Employment Projections data.
Is Sawmills and wood preservation growing or declining?
The Sawmills and wood preservation industry is projected to decline by 1.6% from 2024 to 2034, a net change of -1,400 jobs over the decade.
What jobs are in the Sawmills and wood preservation industry?
The Sawmills and wood preservation industry (NAICS 321100) employs workers across a range of occupations. Browse the full occupations directory to see AI exposure scores, wage data, and growth projections for specific roles common in this industry.
How will AI affect the Sawmills and wood preservation industry?
AI impact on the Sawmills and wood preservation industry depends on the specific occupation mix. Industries with more routine data processing and clerical roles tend to have higher AI displacement risk, while those requiring physical labor, complex judgment, or creative work face lower risk. View occupation-level AI exposure scores for detailed analysis.
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Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections 2024–2034 Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections 2024–2034 Employment figures in thousands. Data reflects projected changes over the 2024–2034 decade