CallataGuidesBusiness phone system for architectural services firms in Massachusetts
728 architectural services firms operated in Massachusetts in 2023. Where they are, how big their teams are, and what phone service costs them.
- Establishments
- 728CBP 2023
- Employees
- 7,518mid-March 2023
- Per 100k residents
- 10.2U.S. 6.7
- State rank
- 7th of 51by count
How many architectural services firms operate in Massachusetts
The Census Bureau counted 728 architectural services firms in Massachusetts in its 2023 County Business Patterns (NAICS 541310). They employed 7,518 people in mid-March and reported $813.1 million in annual payroll. That is the 7th highest count among the 51 states and DC with published figures. Architectural services firms make up 0.40% of the 183,767 business establishments in the state.
Per 100,000 residents (2024 estimate) Massachusetts has 10.2 architectural services firms, 52.1% above the national rate of 6.7. The average establishment has 10.3 employees against 8.3 nationally. Payroll per employee is $108,148, 9.6% above the U.S. figure of $98,717.
| Measure | Massachusetts | United States |
|---|---|---|
| Establishments | 728 | 22,805 |
| Mid-March employees | 7,518 | 189,468 |
| Annual payroll | $813,057,000 | $18,703,680,000 |
| Employees per establishment | 10.3 | 8.3 |
| Payroll per employee | $108,148 | $98,717 |
| Establishments per 100,000 residents | 10.2 | 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.
Architectural services firms by metro area in Massachusetts
Census published architecture firm counts for 9 metro or micropolitan areas that include part of Massachusetts. The largest is Boston, MA-NH, with 618 establishments (a multi-state area; its count covers every state it spans). Single-state metro and micropolitan areas account for 16% of the statewide total; the rest are outside any published area or in areas Census suppressed.
| Area | Establishments | Employees | Per 100k residents |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boston, MA-NH | 618 | 7,023 | 12.3 |
| Providence, RI-MA | 98 | 571 | 5.8 |
| Barnstable Town, MA | 33 | 162 | 14.2 |
| Worcester, MA | 26 | — | 3.0 |
| Pittsfield, MA | 14 | — | 10.9 |
| Amherst Town, MA | 12 | — | 7.3 |
| Springfield, MA | 11 | — | 2.4 |
| Nantucket, MA | 11 | 40 | 75.0 |
| Vineyard Haven, MA | 10 | 90 | 47.5 |
Source: Census County Business Patterns 2023; population from Census Vintage 2024 estimates.
Team sizes at architectural services firms in Massachusetts
60.0% of Massachusetts's architectural services firms with employees had fewer than five people in March 2023, compared with 63.6% nationally. 77.4% 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 | 436 | 60.0% | 63.6% |
| 5–9 employees | 127 | 17.5% | 17.6% |
| 10–19 employees | 73 | 10.0% | 10.2% |
| 20–49 employees | 63 | 8.7% | 5.9% |
| 50 or more employees | 28 | 3.9% | 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.
What architectural services firms in Massachusetts use the phone for
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.
Calls an architecture firm in Massachusetts might handle in a typical week include:
- The firm calls a client to review a design.
- A permitting office calls about a submission.
- An engineer calls about structural details.
Business texting for architectural services firms
Firms text meeting confirmations and site-visit times.
Texting from a local number in Massachusetts requires carrier registration (10DLC), a one-time $49 fee on Callata.
Callata vs. per-seat pricing for architectural services firms in Massachusetts
Architectural services firms in Massachusetts average 10.3 employees, so the comparison uses a 10-person team. Per-seat business phone plans bill every one of those people. At month-to-month list prices checked September 28, 2026, 10 users on RingCentral RingEX Core cost $300.00 a month and 10 on Ooma Office Pro cost $249.50. Callata comes to $199.00 a month for 10 users ($99 a month with 5 users included, then $20 per additional user), below both.
Over a year, that is $1,212 less than RingCentral for an architecture firm in Massachusetts 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 | $199.00 | $2,388.00 |
| Quo (Starter) | $19.00 per user | $190.00 | $2,280.00 |
| Nextiva (Core) | $23.00 per user | $230.00 | $2,760.00 |
| Ooma (Office Pro) | $24.95 per user | $249.50 | $2,994.00 |
| Dialpad (Standard) | $27.00 per user | $270.00 | $3,240.00 |
| RingCentral (RingEX Core) | $30.00 per user | $300.00 | $3,600.00 |
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 Massachusetts
Massachusetts has 9 geographic area codes in service according to NANPA. Callata includes up to 3 local numbers, so an architecture firm can hold a number in more than one of them.
| Area code | Exchanges | Time zone | In service since | Overlay with |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 978 | 773 | Eastern | 1997 | 351 |
| 781 | 769 | Eastern | 1997 | 339 |
| 617 | 768 | Eastern | 1947 | 857 |
| 508 | 749 | Eastern | 1988 | 774 |
| 413 | 602 | Eastern | 1947 | none |
| 774 | 524 | Eastern | 2001 | 508 |
| 857 | 362 | Eastern | 2001 | 617 |
| 339 | 104 | Eastern | 2001 | 781 |
| 351 | 92 | Eastern | 2001 | 978 |
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 Massachusetts
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.
Porting a number you already use in Massachusetts 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 architectural services firms are in Massachusetts?
728 in 2023, according to Census County Business Patterns. They employed 7,518 people in mid-March.
Which Massachusetts metro area has the most architectural services firms?
Boston, MA-NH, with 618 establishments in 2023.
What does a phone system cost a 10-person architecture firm?
$300.00 a month on RingCentral RingEX Core or $249.50 on Ooma Office Pro at month-to-month list prices (checked September 28, 2026); $199.00 on Callata ($99 a month with 5 users included, then $20 per additional user).
Do I need to register to text customers from a Massachusetts 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.