Montana: 2026 Business Market Risk & Industry Survival
Rank #32 of 51 state markets. 10 industries tracked. Population: 1,084,225.
Montana ranks #32 out of 51 state markets by average entry risk (44.9). Healthcare and Social Assistance carries the lowest risk at 33.0 (Moderate), while Administrative and Support Services is the most challenging at 67.3 (High). The 34.3-point spread signals significant variation across sectors. Healthcare and Social Assistance is the largest tracked employer with 74,380 jobs.
Montana: 44.9 Average Entry Risk
Montana at a Glance
Best Industries for New Entrants in Montana
Industries with the lowest entry risk in Montana.
Entry Risk by Industry in Montana
Compare market entry conditions across industries in Montana. Rank indicates position vs. all 50 states.
Montana Industry Data: 47,720 Establishments
| Industry | Entry Risk | Rank | Establishments | Employment | Avg Wage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Healthcare and Social Assistance NAICS 62 | 33.0 | #13/51 | 5,236 | 74,380 | $64,971 |
| Information NAICS 51 | 33.2 | #7/51 | 1,170 | 5,499 | $88,615 |
| Real Estate and Rental and Leasing NAICS 53 | 37.5 | #20/51 | 2,461 | 6,689 | $55,432 |
| Other Services NAICS 81 | 38.6 | #14/51 | 4,644 | 19,410 | $43,791 |
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services NAICS 54 | 43.4 | #37/51 | 10,446 | 28,853 | $102,110 |
| Construction NAICS 23 | 45.0 | #28/51 | 7,965 | 37,240 | $71,337 |
| Retail Trade NAICS 44-45 | 45.8 | #34/51 | 4,768 | 62,766 | $41,181 |
| Accommodation and Food Services NAICS 72 | 46.1 | #39/51 | 3,964 | 60,313 | $28,510 |
| Finance and Insurance NAICS 52 | 59.0 | #45/51 | 2,999 | 16,970 | $94,736 |
| Administrative and Support Services NAICS 56 | 67.3 | #51/51 | 4,067 | 21,620 | $55,316 |
Largest Industries in Montana by Employment
Metro Markets in Montana
5 metropolitan areas with industry-level market scores. Each links to its most favorable industry.
How Montana Compares to Neighboring States
Average entry risk across all tracked industries. Lower scores indicate better conditions for new businesses.
| State | Avg Entry Risk | vs MT |
|---|---|---|
| Montana | 44.9 | — |
| South Dakota | 33.5 | -11.4 |
| North Dakota | 40.4 | -4.5 |
| Idaho | 41.6 | -3.3 |
| Wyoming | 49.0 | +4.1 |
Montana: Frequently Asked Questions
2026 state-level data answers to common business-formation questions.
What is Montana's overall business entry risk score for 2026?
Montana averages 44.9 across 10 tracked industries, ranking #32 of 51 state markets. Lower scores indicate more favorable conditions; the national average sits near 44.
What is the easiest industry to start a business in within Montana?
Healthcare and Social Assistance carries the lowest entry risk in Montana at 33.0 (Moderate). It employs 74,380 workers across 5,236 establishments.
Which sector is the most challenging for new businesses in Montana?
Administrative and Support Services posts Montana's highest entry risk at 67.3 (High). New entrants in this sector face conditions that favor incumbents.
How many businesses operate in Montana?
47,720 business establishments are tracked across 10 industries in Montana, employing 333,740 workers in 2026 data releases from the U.S. Census BDS and BLS QCEW.
What is Montana's largest industry by employment?
Healthcare and Social Assistance is the largest tracked employer in Montana with 74,380 jobs across 5,236 establishments and an entry risk score of 33.0.