CallataGuidesBusiness phone system for hotels and motels in Billings, MT
Hotels and motels in the Billings, MT metro area: 72 establishments in 2023, the local area codes, and what phone service costs a 20-person team.
- Establishments
- 72CBP 2023
- Employees
- 1,452mid-March 2023
- Per 100k residents
- 37.4U.S. 16.4
- Rank
- 145th of 917areas by count
The hotel market in Billings, MT
The Census Bureau's 2023 County Business Patterns lists 72 establishments classified as Hotels (except Casino Hotels) and Motels (NAICS 721110) in the Billings, MT metro area. They employed 1,452 people in mid-March and paid $38.0 million in annual payroll. By establishment count the area is 145th out of 917 areas with published figures for hotels and motels.
Measured against its 193,000 residents (2024 estimate), the area has 37.4 hotels and motels per 100,000 people; the U.S. rate is 16.4, so Billings, MT is 127.6% above the national figure. The average establishment here has 20.2 employees, compared with 26.8 nationally. Payroll per employee comes to $26,174, 33.5% below the national $39,374.
| Measure | Billings, MT | Montana | United States |
|---|---|---|---|
| Establishments | 72 | 531 | 55,895 |
| Mid-March employees | 1,452 | 11,200 | 1,497,840 |
| Annual payroll | $38,004,000 | $353,252,000 | $58,976,358,000 |
| Employees per establishment | 20.2 | 21.1 | 26.8 |
| Payroll per employee | $26,174 | $31,540 | $39,374 |
| Establishments per 100,000 residents | 37.4 | 46.7 | 16.4 |
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.
Establishment size: hotels and motels in Billings, MT
Of the hotels and motels in Billings, MT that had employees in March 2023, 26.5% had fewer than five (the U.S. share is 30.9%). 36.8% had fewer than ten. Small teams usually share the phone: the person who answers is often also serving a customer or doing the job, which is when calls get missed.
| Employment size | Establishments | Share | U.S. share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1–4 employees | 18 | 26.5% | 30.9% |
| 5–9 employees | 7 | 10.3% | 14.9% |
| 10–19 employees | 17 | 25.0% | 21.7% |
| 20–49 employees | 26 | 38.2% | 23.1% |
| 50 or more employees | 0 | 0.0% | 9.4% |
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 hotels and motels in Billings, MT
Independent hotels take reservations, guest requests and group inquiries by phone, and the front desk is staffed around the clock. Calls that go unanswered may become bookings elsewhere. That holds for hotels and motels in Billings, MT as much as anywhere.
Typical inbound and outbound calls for hotels and motels in Billings, MT:
- The hotel calls a guest to confirm a late arrival.
- An event planner calls about a room block.
- A vendor calls about a delivery.
What hotels and motels text about
Hotels text check-in details and guest service updates.
Because carriers require registration for business texting from local numbers, Callata files a 10DLC registration for a one-time $49; after approval, anyone on the team can reply from the business number.
What a phone system costs a hotel in Billings, MT
The average hotel in Billings, MT has 20.2 employees, so a 20-person team is a reasonable benchmark. On a per-user plan that headcount sets the bill: $499.00 a month on Ooma Office Pro or $600.00 on RingCentral RingEX Core at list price (checked September 28, 2026). Callata comes to $399.00 a month for 20 users ($99 a month with 5 users included, then $20 per additional user), below both.
Over a year, that is $2,412 less than RingCentral for a hotel in Billings, MT 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 | $399.00 | $4,788.00 |
| Quo (Starter) | $19.00 per user | $380.00 | $4,560.00 |
| Nextiva (Core) | $23.00 per user | $460.00 | $5,520.00 |
| Ooma (Office Pro) | $24.95 per user | $499.00 | $5,988.00 |
| Dialpad (Standard) | $27.00 per user | $540.00 | $6,480.00 |
| RingCentral (RingEX Core) | $30.00 per user | $600.00 | $7,200.00 |
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.
Which area code to use in Billings, MT
The exchanges in the area's named cities and towns are all in area code 406 (98 exchanges in NANPA's file). A local number lets guests in Billings, MT call without dialing out of area. Callata includes up to 3 local numbers, and which numbers are open in an area code depends on carrier inventory when you choose.
| Area code | Exchanges | Time zone | In service since | Overlay with |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 406 | 98 | 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 hotels and motels
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 Billings, MT 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 hotels and motels are there in Billings, MT?
Census County Business Patterns counted 72 hotels and motels in the Billings, MT metro area in 2023. They employed 1,452 people in mid-March.
What does a business phone system cost for a 20-person hotel?
At month-to-month list prices checked September 28, 2026, 20 users cost $600.00 a month on RingCentral RingEX Core and $499.00 on Ooma Office Pro. On Callata, $99 a month with 5 users included, then $20 per additional user, the same team pays $399.00.
What area code should a hotel in Billings, MT use?
Area code 406 has the most assigned exchanges among the area's named places. If you already have a local number, you can port it to Callata for free.
Can an AI receptionist answer calls for a hotel?
Yes. Callata's optional AI agents can answer when the team is busy or closed, take a message, text, email or transfer the call. They disclose that they are AI and are billed from prepaid AI minutes at $0.25 per minute.