Selling a Business in Bozeman

Owners in the Bozeman area sell to local buyers and to buyers from other markets. The area has 6,828 employer businesses, and 90% of them have fewer than 20 employees. This page shows what is here and how a sale is handled.

LOCAL SNAPSHOT

Bozeman by the numbers

6,828

6,828

EMPLOYER BUSINESSES

90%

90%

SMALL EMPLOYER SHARE

17,176

17,176

BUSINESSES WITH NO EMPLOYEES

59,252

59,252

EMPLOYMENT

$3.5 billion

$3.5 billion

ANNUAL PAYROLL

2,245

2,245

BUSINESSES WITH 5 TO 49 EMPLOYEES

U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns 2023 and Nonemployer Statistics 2024. Counts are employer establishments, meaning business locations with paid employees.

How Bozeman compares

  • The Bozeman area ranks 1st of 5 Montana metro areas for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses grew 16.1% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Professional and technical services makes up 14% of employer businesses in Bozeman, compared with 10% in Montana.

  • 2,245 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

  • The Bozeman area ranks 1st of 5 Montana metro areas for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses grew 16.1% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Professional and technical services makes up 14% of employer businesses in Bozeman, compared with 10% in Montana.

  • 2,245 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

Industry mix

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Construction: 1,363 employer businesses

  • Professional and technical services: 947 employer businesses

  • Retail: 622 employer businesses

  • Health care and social assistance: 580 employer businesses

  • Real estate and rental: 540 employer businesses

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Construction: 1,363 employer businesses

  • Professional and technical services: 947 employer businesses

  • Retail: 622 employer businesses

  • Health care and social assistance: 580 employer businesses

  • Real estate and rental: 540 employer businesses

What buyers look for

Buyers look first at profit that holds up under review. Three years of tax returns and profit and loss statements that match each other carry more weight than a high number that cannot be shown.

  • How much of the business depends on the owner

  • How concentrated sales are among a few customers

  • The lease, its remaining term and the landlord's consent to a sale

  • The condition of equipment and the contracts that transfer

Buyers look first at profit that holds up under review. Three years of tax returns and profit and loss statements that match each other carry more weight than a high number that cannot be shown.

  • How much of the business depends on the owner

  • How concentrated sales are among a few customers

  • The lease, its remaining term and the landlord's consent to a sale

  • The condition of equipment and the contracts that transfer

Every kind of business we sell in Bozeman

We sell businesses in every one of these industries in Bozeman. Counts are employer businesses in the closest Census industry codes. Industries without a clean Census match are listed without a count, and a few industries share one Census category, so their counts match. A sale multiple is the price a business typically sells for as a multiple of its earnings. SDE means seller's discretionary earnings, which is the owner's pay plus the profit of the business. EBITDA means earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization.

Construction & Engineering

1,482 related employer businesses in Bozeman.

  • General Contracting: 487 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Interior Finishing: 276 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Landscaping: 148 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 126 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Plumbing: 111 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 111 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Civil Engineering: 102 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Electrical: 93 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Carpentry & Framing: 59 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Roofing & Siding: 49 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Masonry: 31 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Equipment.

Financial & Professional Services

564 related employer businesses in Bozeman.

Restaurants & Food

368 related employer businesses in Bozeman.

Medical Practices

346 related employer businesses in Bozeman.

Retail Stores

286 related employer businesses in Bozeman.

Home Services

218 related employer businesses in Bozeman.

Manufacturing

196 related employer businesses in Bozeman.

Technology & Media

161 related employer businesses in Bozeman.

Automotive & Boat

123 related employer businesses in Bozeman.

  • Auto Repair: 54 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Car Washes: 19 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Collision Repair: 18 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

  • Auto Parts: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

  • Car Dealerships: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

  • Towing & Repo: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

Entertainment & Recreation

115 related employer businesses in Bozeman.

  • Outdoor Recreation: 62 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Bars & Pubs: 43 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Clubs & Lounges: 43 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.

  • Golf Courses: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 8.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Arcades & FECs: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.1x - 3.6x SDE.

  • Event Venues. Typical sale multiple: 2.8x - 3.5x Earnings.

  • Banquet Halls. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 4.5x Earnings.

  • Escape Rooms. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 3.5x SDE.

Hospitality & Travel

111 related employer businesses in Bozeman.

  • Hotels: 77 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 77 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Campgrounds & RV Parks: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Transportation Services: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.1x SDE.

  • Travel Agencies: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.3x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Bed & Breakfasts / Inns: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

Logistics & Transportation

109 related employer businesses in Bozeman.

Wholesale & Distribution

95 related employer businesses in Bozeman.

Beauty & Personal Care

72 related employer businesses in Bozeman.

  • Hair Salons: 42 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.

  • Day Spas: 21 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.

  • Tattoo Shops: 21 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Massage Parlors: 21 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Nail Salons: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.4x - 1.88x SDE.

  • Medical Spas. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.5x EBITDA.

Education & Childcare

64 related employer businesses in Bozeman.

  • Daycare Centers: 60 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

  • Tutoring Centers: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE.

  • Preschools. Typical sale multiple: 3.12x - 4.0x SDE.

Health & Fitness

50 related employer businesses in Bozeman.

Gas Stations & Convenience

39 related employer businesses in Bozeman.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

32 related employer businesses in Bozeman.

Pet Services

29 related employer businesses in Bozeman.

Energy & Utilities

28 related employer businesses in Bozeman.

Senior Care & Living

27 related employer businesses in Bozeman.

E-commerce & Online Businesses

Land & Agriculture

We sell businesses in every one of these industries in Bozeman. Counts are employer businesses in the closest Census industry codes. Industries without a clean Census match are listed without a count, and a few industries share one Census category, so their counts match. A sale multiple is the price a business typically sells for as a multiple of its earnings. SDE means seller's discretionary earnings, which is the owner's pay plus the profit of the business. EBITDA means earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization.

Construction & Engineering

1,482 related employer businesses in Bozeman.

  • General Contracting: 487 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Interior Finishing: 276 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Landscaping: 148 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 126 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Plumbing: 111 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 111 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Civil Engineering: 102 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Electrical: 93 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Carpentry & Framing: 59 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Roofing & Siding: 49 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Masonry: 31 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Equipment.

Financial & Professional Services

564 related employer businesses in Bozeman.

Restaurants & Food

368 related employer businesses in Bozeman.

Medical Practices

346 related employer businesses in Bozeman.

Retail Stores

286 related employer businesses in Bozeman.

Home Services

218 related employer businesses in Bozeman.

Manufacturing

196 related employer businesses in Bozeman.

Technology & Media

161 related employer businesses in Bozeman.

Automotive & Boat

123 related employer businesses in Bozeman.

  • Auto Repair: 54 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Car Washes: 19 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Collision Repair: 18 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

  • Auto Parts: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

  • Car Dealerships: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

  • Towing & Repo: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

Entertainment & Recreation

115 related employer businesses in Bozeman.

  • Outdoor Recreation: 62 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Bars & Pubs: 43 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Clubs & Lounges: 43 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.

  • Golf Courses: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 8.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Arcades & FECs: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.1x - 3.6x SDE.

  • Event Venues. Typical sale multiple: 2.8x - 3.5x Earnings.

  • Banquet Halls. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 4.5x Earnings.

  • Escape Rooms. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 3.5x SDE.

Hospitality & Travel

111 related employer businesses in Bozeman.

  • Hotels: 77 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 77 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Campgrounds & RV Parks: 13 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Transportation Services: 10 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.1x SDE.

  • Travel Agencies: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.3x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Bed & Breakfasts / Inns: 3 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

Logistics & Transportation

109 related employer businesses in Bozeman.

Wholesale & Distribution

95 related employer businesses in Bozeman.

Beauty & Personal Care

72 related employer businesses in Bozeman.

  • Hair Salons: 42 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.

  • Day Spas: 21 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.

  • Tattoo Shops: 21 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Massage Parlors: 21 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Nail Salons: 9 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.4x - 1.88x SDE.

  • Medical Spas. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.5x EBITDA.

Education & Childcare

64 related employer businesses in Bozeman.

  • Daycare Centers: 60 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

  • Tutoring Centers: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE.

  • Preschools. Typical sale multiple: 3.12x - 4.0x SDE.

Health & Fitness

50 related employer businesses in Bozeman.

Gas Stations & Convenience

39 related employer businesses in Bozeman.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

32 related employer businesses in Bozeman.

Pet Services

29 related employer businesses in Bozeman.

Energy & Utilities

28 related employer businesses in Bozeman.

Senior Care & Living

27 related employer businesses in Bozeman.

E-commerce & Online Businesses

Land & Agriculture

Counties in this metro area

Working with owners in Bozeman

Business Advisors of America works with owners who are selling a business in Bozeman. Contact us to talk about a sale.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Questions owners in Bozeman ask

How long does it take to sell a business in Bozeman?

The time depends on the price, the quality of the records and the number of qualified buyers. Many sales take six months or longer from the start of the process to closing.

How is a business valued in Bozeman?

Valuation starts with the earnings the business produces for an owner, then adjusts for assets, size, industry and the terms a buyer is likely to accept. The result is a range, and the asking price is set inside it.

Is the sale confidential?

Buyers are asked to sign a non-disclosure agreement before they see the name of the business or its financial statements.

FROM OUR BLOG

Guides for owners in Bozeman

October 3, 2025

Business Owners

Add-Backs: What Counts, What Does Not, and What Buyers Push Back On

Every add-back you can prove raises your sale price by two to three times its amount. Every add-back you cannot prove costs you credibility on all the others.

Read article

October 3, 2025

Business Owners

Add-Backs: What Counts, What Does Not, and What Buyers Push Back On

Every add-back you can prove raises your sale price by two to three times its amount. Every add-back you cannot prove costs you credibility on all the others.

Read article

March 5, 2026

Business Owners

Buyer Qualification: How We Screen Out the Buyers Who Cannot Close

Most inquiries on a business listing come from people who cannot close. Here is how they get screened out before they see your name or your financials.

Read article

March 5, 2026

Business Owners

Buyer Qualification: How We Screen Out the Buyers Who Cannot Close

Most inquiries on a business listing come from people who cannot close. Here is how they get screened out before they see your name or your financials.

Read article

February 9, 2026

Business Owners

The Confidential Information Memorandum: What Goes In It and Why

The CIM is the document a buyer reads before they decide to spend time on your business. Here is what it has to contain and the mistakes that cost sellers offers.

Read article

February 9, 2026

Business Owners

The Confidential Information Memorandum: What Goes In It and Why

The CIM is the document a buyer reads before they decide to spend time on your business. Here is what it has to contain and the mistakes that cost sellers offers.

Read article