CallataGuidesBusiness phone system for architectural services firms in District of Columbia
171 architectural services firms operated in District of Columbia in 2023. Where they are, how big their teams are, and what phone service costs them.
- Establishments
- 171CBP 2023
- Employees
- 3,229mid-March 2023
- Per 100k residents
- 24.4U.S. 6.7
- State rank
- 31st of 51by count
How many architectural services firms operate in District of Columbia
The Census Bureau counted 171 architectural services firms in District of Columbia in its 2023 County Business Patterns (NAICS 541310). They employed 3,229 people in mid-March and reported $367.5 million in annual payroll. That is the 31st highest count among the 51 states and DC with published figures. Architectural services firms make up 0.72% of the 23,801 business establishments in the state.
Per 100,000 residents (2024 estimate) District of Columbia has 24.4 architectural services firms, 263.2% above the national rate of 6.7. The average establishment has 18.9 employees against 8.3 nationally. Payroll per employee is $113,803, 15.3% above the U.S. figure of $98,717.
| Measure | District of Columbia | United States |
|---|---|---|
| Establishments | 171 | 22,805 |
| Mid-March employees | 3,229 | 189,468 |
| Annual payroll | $367,469,000 | $18,703,680,000 |
| Employees per establishment | 18.9 | 8.3 |
| Payroll per employee | $113,803 | $98,717 |
| Establishments per 100,000 residents | 24.4 | 6.7 |
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.
District of Columbia's largest markets for architectural services firms
Census published architecture firm counts for 1 metro or micropolitan area that include part of District of Columbia. The largest is Washington, DC-VA-MD-WV, with 506 establishments (a multi-state area; its count covers every state it spans).
| Area | Establishments | Employees | Per 100k residents |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington, DC-VA-MD-WV | 506 | 6,041 | 7.9 |
Source: Census County Business Patterns 2023; population from Census Vintage 2024 estimates.
Team sizes at architectural services firms in District of Columbia
44.1% of District of Columbia's architectural services firms with employees had fewer than five people in March 2023, compared with 63.6% nationally. 63.5% had fewer than ten. That is the size of team where a missed call usually means nobody was free, not that nobody was on staff.
| Employment size | Establishments | Share | U.S. share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1–4 employees | 75 | 44.1% | 63.6% |
| 5–9 employees | 33 | 19.4% | 17.6% |
| 10–19 employees | 25 | 14.7% | 10.2% |
| 20–49 employees | 18 | 10.6% | 5.9% |
| 50 or more employees | 19 | 11.2% | 2.7% |
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 architectural services firms in District of Columbia
Architects coordinate clients, consultants, contractors and permitting offices across long projects. Calls need to reach the project lead, and summaries of decisions help keep teams aligned.
A few of the calls that come in to architectural services firms in District of Columbia:
- An engineer calls about structural details.
- The firm calls a client to review a design.
- A contractor calls with a question about drawings.
When nobody can pick up
After-hours calls are usually not urgent.
Callata voicemail is transcribed and triaged for urgency, and business-hours routing decides where calls go once you close.
Phone system pricing for a 19-person architecture firm
Architectural services firms in District of Columbia average 18.9 employees, so the comparison uses a 19-person team. Per-seat business phone plans bill every one of those people. At month-to-month list prices checked September 28, 2026, 19 users on RingCentral RingEX Core cost $570.00 a month and 19 on Ooma Office Pro cost $474.05. On Callata the same 19 people cost $379.00 a month, less than either per-seat plan.
The annual difference against RingCentral's monthly list price comes to $2,292. Some vendors discount annual contracts; the table shows month-to-month prices.
| Provider (plan) | Pricing basis | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Callata (Callata Office) | $99 incl. 5 users, $20 per extra user | $379.00 | $4,548.00 |
| Quo (Starter) | $19.00 per user | $361.00 | $4,332.00 |
| Nextiva (Core) | $23.00 per user | $437.00 | $5,244.00 |
| Ooma (Office Pro) | $24.95 per user | $474.05 | $5,688.60 |
| Dialpad (Standard) | $27.00 per user | $513.00 | $6,156.00 |
| RingCentral (RingEX Core) | $30.00 per user | $570.00 | $6,840.00 |
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 District of Columbia
District of Columbia has 2 geographic area codes in service according to NANPA. You can choose local numbers in the area codes your clients know, subject to carrier inventory, or port your current number for free.
| Area code | Exchanges | Time zone | In service since | Overlay with |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 202 | 784 | Eastern | 1947 | 771 |
| 771 | 71 | Eastern | 2021 | 202 |
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 architectural services firms in District of Columbia
For $99 a month, Callata puts a team of up to 5 on one plan ($20 for each person after that): up to 3 local numbers, unlimited inbound calls, a pooled allowance of 1,500 outbound US and Canada minutes per user, browser and cell calling, voicemail transcription with urgency triage, recorded calls with AI summaries and business-hours routing, with E911 on every number.
If you already have a number in District of Columbia, porting it to Callata is free. Texting from a local number requires a one-time carrier registration (10DLC, $49), and the numbers available in any area code depend on carrier inventory when you choose them.
Optional AI agents (receptionist, sales, support or scheduler) can answer calls after hours or when nobody picks up, take messages, text, email and transfer to your team. They are billed from prepaid AI minutes at $0.25 per minute, identify themselves as AI, and may only place outbound calls to people who consented, between 8am and 9pm.
Frequently asked questions
How many architectural services firms are in District of Columbia?
171 in 2023, according to Census County Business Patterns. They employed 3,229 people in mid-March.
Which District of Columbia metro area has the most architectural services firms?
Washington, DC-VA-MD-WV, with 506 establishments in 2023.
What does a phone system cost a 19-person architecture firm?
$570.00 a month on RingCentral RingEX Core or $474.05 on Ooma Office Pro at month-to-month list prices (checked September 28, 2026); $379.00 on Callata ($99 a month with 5 users included, then $20 per additional user).
Do I need to register to text customers from a District of Columbia 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.