CallataGuidesBusiness phone system for electrical contractors in Montana
549 electrical contractors operated in Montana in 2023. Where they are, how big their teams are, and what phone service costs them.
- Establishments
- 549CBP 2023
- Employees
- 3,874mid-March 2023
- Per 100k residents
- 48.3U.S. 24.5
- State rank
- 40th of 51by count
The electrical contractor industry in Montana
Montana had 549 electrical contractors in 2023, according to Census County Business Patterns (NAICS 238210, Electrical Contractors and Other Wiring Installation Contractors). They employed 3,874 people in mid-March and reported $267.5 million in annual payroll. That is the 40th highest count among the 51 states and DC with published figures. Electrical contractors make up 1.3% of the 42,566 business establishments in the state.
Per 100,000 residents (2024 estimate) Montana has 48.3 electrical contractors, 97.0% above the national rate of 24.5. The average establishment has 7.1 employees against 12.2 nationally. Payroll per employee is $69,055, 9.8% below the U.S. figure of $76,545.
| Measure | Montana | United States |
|---|---|---|
| Establishments | 549 | 83,342 |
| Mid-March employees | 3,874 | 1,015,983 |
| Annual payroll | $267,518,000 | $77,768,461,000 |
| Employees per establishment | 7.1 | 12.2 |
| Payroll per employee | $69,055 | $76,545 |
| Establishments per 100,000 residents | 48.3 | 24.5 |
Census County Business Patterns 2023 (mid-March employment; annual payroll). Employees and payroll flagged high-noise are shown but not used in the text. Residents: Census Vintage 2024 estimates.
Electrical contractors by metro area in Montana
Census published electrical contractor counts for 7 metro or micropolitan areas that include part of Montana. The largest is Kalispell, MT, with 98 establishments. Single-state metro and micropolitan areas account for 72% of the statewide total; the rest are outside any published area or in areas Census suppressed.
| Area | Establishments | Employees | Per 100k residents |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kalispell, MT | 98 | 838 | 85.6 |
| Bozeman, MT | 93 | 732 | 73.2 |
| Billings, MT | 75 | 529 | 39.0 |
| Missoula, MT | 56 | 442 | 43.8 |
| Helena, MT | 49 | 314 | 50.7 |
| Great Falls, MT | 15 | 151 | 17.7 |
| Butte, MT | 9 | 44 | 24.9 |
Source: Census County Business Patterns 2023; population from Census Vintage 2024 estimates.
Team sizes at electrical contractors in Montana
66.5% of Montana's electrical contractors with employees had fewer than five people in March 2023, compared with 58.6% nationally. 84.4% had fewer than ten. At that size the phone is shared, so routing (who rings, when, and what happens after hours) matters more than the number of desk phones.
| Employment size | Establishments | Share | U.S. share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1–4 employees | 363 | 66.5% | 58.6% |
| 5–9 employees | 98 | 17.9% | 18.3% |
| 10–19 employees | 48 | 8.8% | 11.2% |
| 20–49 employees | 30 | 5.5% | 7.6% |
| 50 or more employees | 7 | 1.3% | 4.4% |
Employment-size classes count establishments by mid-March 2023 employment. Establishments with no March employees are excluded from the size classes, so shares are of establishments with employees. Source: Census County Business Patterns 2023.
Why the phone matters for electrical contractors in Montana
Electricians get service calls about outages and breakers alongside larger installation projects. Being reachable while on a job site keeps both kinds of work flowing.
Typical inbound and outbound calls for electrical contractors in Montana:
- The contractor calls an inspector to book an inspection.
- A homeowner calls because half the house lost power.
- A business calls about lighting repairs.
Business texting for electrical contractors
Electricians text appointment windows and photos of the issue.
Texting from a local number in Montana requires carrier registration (10DLC), a one-time $49 fee on Callata.
What a phone system costs an electrical contractor in Montana
Electrical contractors in Montana average 7.1 employees, so the comparison uses a 7-person team. On a per-user plan that headcount sets the bill: $174.65 a month on Ooma Office Pro or $210.00 on RingCentral RingEX Core at list price (checked September 28, 2026). Callata comes to $139.00 a month for 7 users ($99 a month with 5 users included, then $20 per additional user), below both.
Over a year, that is $852 less than RingCentral for an electrical contractor in Montana of that size. Annual contracts lower some competitors' prices, so compare the plan you would actually sign.
| Provider (plan) | Pricing basis | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Callata (Callata Office) | $99 incl. 5 users, $20 per extra user | $139.00 | $1,668.00 |
| Quo (Starter) | $19.00 per user | $133.00 | $1,596.00 |
| Nextiva (Core) | $23.00 per user | $161.00 | $1,932.00 |
| Ooma (Office Pro) | $24.95 per user | $174.65 | $2,095.80 |
| Dialpad (Standard) | $27.00 per user | $189.00 | $2,268.00 |
| RingCentral (RingEX Core) | $30.00 per user | $210.00 | $2,520.00 |
Competitor prices are each vendor's published month-to-month list price per user for its lowest plan that includes business calling and texting, checked September 28, 2026: Quo Starter $19, Nextiva Core $23, Ooma Office Pro $24.95 (Essentials excludes texting; one-time $29.95 activation not included), Dialpad Standard $27, RingCentral RingEX Core $30 ($20 billed annually). Prices exclude taxes and fees and may change; annual contracts lower some competitors' prices.
Area codes in Montana
Montana has 1 geographic area code in service according to NANPA. Callata includes up to 3 local numbers, so an electrical contractor can hold a number in more than one of them.
| Area code | Exchanges | Time zone | In service since | Overlay with |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 406 | 754 | Mountain | 1947 | none |
Exchanges are NANPA-assigned central office codes (NPA-NXX) in the rate centers matched to the area's named places. Source: NANPA utilized code and NPA reports.
How Callata works for electrical contractors in Montana
Callata is a business phone system priced at $99 a month with 5 users included, then $20 per additional user. Callata Office includes up to 3 local business numbers, unlimited inbound calling, 1,500 pooled outbound US and Canada minutes per user each month, a browser softphone that can also ring your cell, voicemail with transcription, call recording with AI summaries, business-hours routing and E911 on every number.
Porting a number you already use in Montana is free, and business texting is available once the carrier registration (10DLC) is approved; the registration carries a one-time $49 fee. Which specific numbers are open in a given area code depends on carrier inventory at the time you sign up.
AI agents are optional: an AI receptionist or scheduler can pick up when the team is busy or closed, take a message, send a text or email, or transfer the call. They draw on prepaid AI minutes ($0.25/minute), disclose that they are AI, and outbound AI calls require prior consent and are limited to 8am–9pm.
Frequently asked questions
How many electrical contractors are in Montana?
549 in 2023, according to Census County Business Patterns. They employed 3,874 people in mid-March.
Which Montana metro area has the most electrical contractors?
Kalispell, MT, with 98 establishments in 2023.
What does a phone system cost a 7-person electrical contractor?
$210.00 a month on RingCentral RingEX Core or $174.65 on Ooma Office Pro at month-to-month list prices (checked September 28, 2026); $139.00 on Callata ($99 a month with 5 users included, then $20 per additional user).
Do I need to register to text customers from a Montana number?
Yes. US carriers require business texting from local numbers to be registered (10DLC). On Callata the registration is a one-time $49 fee, and texting turns on once it is approved.