The three largest of those industries in Montana are accounting, tax prep and bookkeeping firms (690 establishments), plumbing and HVAC contractors (685), and landscaping and tree services (645). WETYR buys qualifying Montana businesses directly and confidentially, and, with an owner's OK, introduces Montana owners to registry buyers whose buy box fits. Owners and buyers then deal directly with their own advisors.
The largest owner-operated industries in Montana
Montana ranks 39th in the country for accounting, tax prep and bookkeeping firms, with 690 establishments, or 0.5% of the U.S. total, against 0.3% of the U.S. population. The fifteen largest Montana categories follow.
| Industry | Establishments | Per 100k residents | Index vs U.S. | U.S. rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accounting, tax prep and bookkeeping firms | 690 | 63.2 | 1.55 | 39th |
| Plumbing and HVAC contractors | 685 | 62.7 | 1.90 | 39th |
| Landscaping and tree services | 645 | 59.1 | 1.68 | 40th |
| Insurance agencies and brokerages | 637 | 58.3 | 1.44 | 40th |
| Electrical contractors | 514 | 47.1 | 1.92 | 40th |
| Dental practices | 477 | 43.7 | 1.07 | 41st |
| Site preparation and excavation contractors | 476 | 43.6 | 3.72 | 31st |
| General auto repair shops | 473 | 43.3 | 1.72 | 40th |
| Commercial cleaning and janitorial services | 466 | 42.7 | 2.14 | 36th |
| Childcare centers | 452 | 41.4 | 1.74 | 39th |
| Gas stations with convenience stores | 365 | 33.4 | 1.15 | 43rd |
| Physical therapy clinics | 239 | 21.9 | 1.46 | 41st |
| Veterinary practices | 187 | 17.1 | 1.74 | 41st |
| Fitness centers and gyms | 180 | 16.5 | 1.38 | 40th |
| Roofing contractors | 137 | 12.5 | 1.77 | 37th |
Where Montana is over and under the national average
Per resident, Montana runs heaviest in septic and drainage services (34 establishments, index 3.81, 27th nationally by count); site preparation and excavation contractors (476 establishments, index 3.72, 31st nationally by count); commercial cleaning and janitorial services (466 establishments, index 2.14, 36th nationally by count). That top index of 3.81 means 281% more septic and drainage services per Montana resident than the U.S. average. Dense categories tend to have more local buyers at exit.
At the other end, Montana is thinnest in IT services and computer systems design (index 0.52) and security guard and patrol companies (index 0.53). A low index can mean an underserved market for a buyer building a platform, or simply that demand in Montana is met from neighboring states.
Montana counties with the most owner-operated businesses
| County or area | Establishments | Median household income | Median home value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gallatin County | 1,302 | $83,434 | $526,700 |
| Yellowstone County | 1,241 | $72,300 | $289,300 |
| Flathead County | 1,097 | $68,025 | $414,200 |
| Missoula County | 974 | $66,840 | $382,400 |
| Lewis And Clark County | 524 | $71,967 | $332,000 |
| Cascade County | 485 | $61,351 | $227,600 |
| Ravalli County | 352 | $67,424 | $378,400 |
| Silver Bow County | 236 | $56,297 | $195,800 |
| Lake County | 187 | $58,009 | $337,700 |
| Park County | 144 | $67,602 | $399,900 |
Gallatin County, Yellowstone County, Flathead County hold 47% of the 7,800 tracked establishments across 49 Montana counties or areas. Median household income runs from $44,593 in Lincoln County to $83,434 in Gallatin County (1.9x), which changes what a buyer underwrites.
Montana metro markets
Billings is the Montana metro with dedicated WETYR city pages, linked below for accounting, tax prep and bookkeeping firms and plumbing and HVAC contractors.
- Billings, about 109,059 residents (Yellowstone County); nearest markets Acton (14 mi), Ballantine (22 mi)
Working with WETYR in Montana
WETYR buys Montana businesses directly, with no listing and no broker commission, and, with your OK, introduces Montana owners to registry buyers who fit.
Get a confidential valuation
Tell us a little about your business in Montana. We reply with an indicative value range and whether we are a direct fit, within one business day. No obligation, no listing, nothing public.
Montana business sale FAQ
How many small businesses are in the industries WETYR buys in Montana?
U.S. Census County Business Patterns counts about 7,800 establishments in Montana across the 36 owner-operated industries WETYR tracks, 41st among the 50 states. With roughly 1,091,840 residents, that works out to 71.4 establishments per 10,000 people versus 50.1 nationally. Montana holds 0.47% of the U.S. total in these industries and 0.33% of the population.
Which industries are most common in Montana?
By establishment count the largest are accounting, tax prep and bookkeeping firms (690), plumbing and HVAC contractors (685), and landscaping and tree services (645). Accounting, tax prep and bookkeeping firms alone makes up 8.8% of the state's tracked total. Relative to population, Montana is most concentrated in septic and drainage services, site preparation and excavation contractors and commercial cleaning and janitorial services.
Does Montana tax the gain when I sell my business?
Yes. Montana taxes personal income, so the gain on a sale is generally subject to state tax in addition to federal tax. How much depends on structure: asset versus stock sale, how the purchase price is allocated, and whether part is paid over time. Model the after-tax number with a Montana CPA before you accept a headline price.
Where in Montana are most of these businesses located?
Gallatin County leads with about 1,302 tracked establishments, followed by Yellowstone County (1,241) and Flathead County (1,097). Together the top three hold 47% of the state total. Median household income in Gallatin County is $83,434 and the median home value is $526,700. The smallest tracked area is Meagher County with 3.
Sell by industry in Montana
Other Mountain West states
Sources
Census County Business Patterns (employer establishments, NAICS 2017); American Community Survey 5-year. Ranks and indexes: WETYR calculations, 50 states.