Selling a Business in Missoula

Owners in the Missoula area sell to local buyers and to buyers from other markets. The area has 4,960 employer businesses, and 87% of them have fewer than 20 employees. This page shows what is here and how a sale is handled.

LOCAL SNAPSHOT

Missoula by the numbers

4,960

4,960

EMPLOYER BUSINESSES

87%

87%

SMALL EMPLOYER SHARE

13,295

13,295

BUSINESSES WITH NO EMPLOYEES

54,945

54,945

EMPLOYMENT

$2.8 billion

$2.8 billion

ANNUAL PAYROLL

1,988

1,988

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 Missoula compares

  • The Missoula area ranks 3rd of 5 Montana metro areas for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses grew 6.8% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Professional and technical services makes up 13% of employer businesses in Missoula, compared with 10% in Montana.

  • 1,988 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

  • The Missoula area ranks 3rd of 5 Montana metro areas for employer businesses.

  • The number of employer businesses grew 6.8% between 2018 and 2023.

  • Professional and technical services makes up 13% of employer businesses in Missoula, compared with 10% in Montana.

  • 1,988 employer businesses here have 5 to 49 employees.

Industry mix

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Professional and technical services: 648 employer businesses

  • Construction: 633 employer businesses

  • Health care and social assistance: 632 employer businesses

  • Retail: 559 employer businesses

  • Repair, personal care and other services: 444 employer businesses

The largest industries by number of employer businesses:

  • Professional and technical services: 648 employer businesses

  • Construction: 633 employer businesses

  • Health care and social assistance: 632 employer businesses

  • Retail: 559 employer businesses

  • Repair, personal care and other services: 444 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 Missoula

We sell businesses in every one of these industries in Missoula. 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

673 related employer businesses in Missoula.

  • General Contracting: 208 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Interior Finishing: 96 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Landscaping: 81 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 73 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Plumbing: 71 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 71 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Electrical: 56 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Civil Engineering: 44 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Roofing & Siding: 22 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Carpentry & Framing: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Masonry: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Equipment.

  • Remediation & Restoration: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

Medical Practices

342 related employer businesses in Missoula.

Financial & Professional Services

335 related employer businesses in Missoula.

Restaurants & Food

276 related employer businesses in Missoula.

Retail Stores

232 related employer businesses in Missoula.

Automotive & Boat

171 related employer businesses in Missoula.

  • Auto Repair: 72 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Auto Parts: 28 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

  • Car Dealerships: 28 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

  • Collision Repair: 17 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

  • Towing & Repo: 14 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Car Washes: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 7.0x EBITDA.

Manufacturing

120 related employer businesses in Missoula.

Logistics & Transportation

114 related employer businesses in Missoula.

Home Services

100 related employer businesses in Missoula.

Wholesale & Distribution

93 related employer businesses in Missoula.

Entertainment & Recreation

82 related employer businesses in Missoula.

  • Bars & Pubs: 46 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Clubs & Lounges: 46 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.

  • Outdoor Recreation: 30 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Golf Courses: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 8.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • 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.

Beauty & Personal Care

81 related employer businesses in Missoula.

  • Hair Salons: 47 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.

  • Day Spas: 23 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.

  • Tattoo Shops: 23 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Massage Parlors: 23 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Nail Salons: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.4x - 1.88x SDE.

  • Barber Shops: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.25x SDE.

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

Education & Childcare

79 related employer businesses in Missoula.

  • Daycare Centers: 72 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

  • Tutoring Centers: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE.

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

Technology & Media

68 related employer businesses in Missoula.

Hospitality & Travel

66 related employer businesses in Missoula.

  • Hotels: 49 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 49 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Transportation Services: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.1x SDE.

  • Campgrounds & RV Parks: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Travel Agencies: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.3x - 3.2x SDE.

Gas Stations & Convenience

61 related employer businesses in Missoula.

Health & Fitness

40 related employer businesses in Missoula.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

40 related employer businesses in Missoula.

Energy & Utilities

33 related employer businesses in Missoula.

Senior Care & Living

30 related employer businesses in Missoula.

Pet Services

16 related employer businesses in Missoula.

E-commerce & Online Businesses

Land & Agriculture

We sell businesses in every one of these industries in Missoula. 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

673 related employer businesses in Missoula.

  • General Contracting: 208 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.5x SDE.

  • Interior Finishing: 96 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Landscaping: 81 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Foundation & Site Prep: 73 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Plumbing: 71 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x SDE.

  • HVAC Services: 71 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.6x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Electrical: 56 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 8.0x EBITDA.

  • Civil Engineering: 44 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 7.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • Roofing & Siding: 22 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 5.0x SDE.

  • Carpentry & Framing: 11 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Masonry: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 4.0x EBITDA + Equipment.

  • Remediation & Restoration: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

Medical Practices

342 related employer businesses in Missoula.

Financial & Professional Services

335 related employer businesses in Missoula.

Restaurants & Food

276 related employer businesses in Missoula.

Retail Stores

232 related employer businesses in Missoula.

Automotive & Boat

171 related employer businesses in Missoula.

  • Auto Repair: 72 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE.

  • Auto Parts: 28 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.5x - 3.2x SDE + Inventory.

  • Car Dealerships: 28 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2x - 8x Blue Sky + Assets.

  • Collision Repair: 17 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.5x - 5.0x EBITDA.

  • Towing & Repo: 14 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 4.0x EBITDA + Fleet.

  • Car Washes: 12 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.5x - 7.0x EBITDA.

Manufacturing

120 related employer businesses in Missoula.

Logistics & Transportation

114 related employer businesses in Missoula.

Home Services

100 related employer businesses in Missoula.

Wholesale & Distribution

93 related employer businesses in Missoula.

Entertainment & Recreation

82 related employer businesses in Missoula.

  • Bars & Pubs: 46 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Clubs & Lounges: 46 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 3.0x - 6.0x EBITDA.

  • Outdoor Recreation: 30 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.0x SDE.

  • Golf Courses: 6 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 8.0x - 11.0x EBITDA.

  • 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.

Beauty & Personal Care

81 related employer businesses in Missoula.

  • Hair Salons: 47 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.25x - 2.34x SDE.

  • Day Spas: 23 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.8x - 2.8x SDE.

  • Tattoo Shops: 23 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Massage Parlors: 23 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Nail Salons: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.4x - 1.88x SDE.

  • Barber Shops: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.5x - 2.25x SDE.

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

Education & Childcare

79 related employer businesses in Missoula.

  • Daycare Centers: 72 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.39x - 3.35x SDE.

  • Tutoring Centers: 7 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 3.5x SDE.

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

Technology & Media

68 related employer businesses in Missoula.

Hospitality & Travel

66 related employer businesses in Missoula.

  • Hotels: 49 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.6x - 5.1x EBITDA.

  • Motels: 49 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 1.1x - 2.5x SDE.

  • Transportation Services: 8 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.0x - 4.1x SDE.

  • Campgrounds & RV Parks: 5 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 4.0x - 7.0x EBITDA.

  • Travel Agencies: 4 employer businesses here. Typical sale multiple: 2.3x - 3.2x SDE.

Gas Stations & Convenience

61 related employer businesses in Missoula.

Health & Fitness

40 related employer businesses in Missoula.

Pharmacies & Medical Supply

40 related employer businesses in Missoula.

Energy & Utilities

33 related employer businesses in Missoula.

Senior Care & Living

30 related employer businesses in Missoula.

Pet Services

16 related employer businesses in Missoula.

E-commerce & Online Businesses

Land & Agriculture

Counties in this metro area

Working with owners in Missoula

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

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Questions owners in Missoula ask

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

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 Missoula?

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 Missoula

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