State
Businesses in Montana by trade
42,566 employer establishments in 2023, employing 409,312 people (+11.5% establishments since 2017).
MONTANA · ALL INDUSTRIES
42,566
establishments with paid employees
- Employees
- 409,312
- Average per site
- 9.6
- Change since 2017
- +11.5%
- Annual payroll
- $21.7 billion
The 12 trades in Montana
| Trade | Sites | Employees | Since 2017 | State rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full-service restaurants | 1,060 | 20,162 | −3.7% | 44 |
| Coffee shops and snack bars | 427 | 4,010 | +34.3% | 43 |
| Beauty salons | 224 | 768 | +21.7% | 46 |
| Barber shops | 17 | 67 | +41.7% | 45 |
| Plumbing and HVAC contractors | 712 | 4,448 | +18.1% | 39 |
| Roofing contractors | 152 | 619 | +16.9% | 37 |
| Landscaping services | 694 | 2,435 | +30.5% | 40 |
| Janitorial services | 509 | 3,729 | +40.6% | 36 |
| Child day care | 488 | 3,364 | +7.0% | 38 |
| General auto repair | 486 | 1,971 | +16.0% | 40 |
| Fitness centers | 215 | 3,058 | +25.0% | 39 |
| Pet care services | 122 | 634 | +27.1% | 41 |
Largest industry groups in Montana
The twelve three-digit NAICS groups with the most employer establishments.
| Industry group | Sites | Employees | Since 2017 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 4,386 | 23,100 | +14.2% |
| Specialty Trade Contractors | 4,106 | 20,733 | +21.9% |
| Food Services and Drinking Places | 3,072 | 45,490 | +9.2% |
| Ambulatory Health Care Services | 2,755 | 26,993 | +25.3% |
| Construction of Buildings | 2,283 | 9,074 | +30.0% |
| Real Estate | 2,263 | 5,406 | +27.8% |
| Administrative and Support Services | 2,058 | 20,457 | +20.2% |
| Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations | 1,644 | 9,532 | +4.2% |
| Repair and Maintenance | 1,211 | 5,494 | +9.3% |
| Social Assistance | 1,128 | 11,404 | +8.6% |
| Amusement, Gambling, and Recreation Industries | 1,035 | 11,607 | +8.3% |
| Merchant Wholesalers, Durable Goods | 890 | 8,307 | +1.8% |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns (2023; change measured against 2017, 2019 and 2022). Establishments with paid employees only; employment and payroll carry Census noise infusion. Retrieved November 2, 2026. Method and sources.