CallataGuidesBusiness phone system for barber shops in Lancaster, PA
Barber shops in the Lancaster, PA metro area: 13 establishments in 2023, the local area codes, and what phone service costs a 4-person team.
- Establishments
- 13CBP 2023
- Per 100k residents
- 2.3U.S. 2.3
- Rank
- 91st of 264areas by count
The barber shop market in Lancaster, PA
There were 13 barber shops in the Lancaster, PA metro area in 2023, according to Census County Business Patterns (NAICS 812111, Barber Shops). That ranks 91st of the 264 metro and micropolitan areas where Census published a count for this industry.
With 563,000 residents in the Census 2024 estimate, that is 2.3 barber shops per 100,000 people, in line with the national rate of 2.3.
| Measure | Lancaster, PA | Pennsylvania | United States |
|---|---|---|---|
| Establishments | 13 | 301 | 7,789 |
| Mid-March employees | 26 (high noise) | 954 | 29,017 |
| Annual payroll | $686,000 | $33,893,000 | $976,905,000 |
| Employees per establishment | — | 3.2 | 3.7 |
| Payroll per employee | — | $35,527 | $33,667 |
| Establishments per 100,000 residents | 2.3 | 2.3 | 2.3 |
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.
How big barber shops in Lancaster, PA are
Of the barber shops in Lancaster, PA that had employees in March 2023, 100.0% had fewer than five (the U.S. share is 75.5%). 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 | 12 | 100.0% | 75.5% |
| 5–9 employees | not published | — | 14.4% |
| 10–19 employees | not published | — | 7.8% |
| 20–49 employees | not published | — | 2.0% |
| 50 or more employees | 0 | 0.0% | 0.2% |
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 barber shops in Lancaster, PA
Barbers are busy with clients all day, and calls for appointments and wait times often go unanswered. Capturing calls and texting back helps fill chairs.
A few of the calls that come in to barber shops in Lancaster, PA:
- A parent calls to book kids' cuts.
- A client calls about hours.
- The shop calls a client about a cancellation.
After-hours calls
After-hours calls are mostly booking requests.
Callata transcribes voicemail and triages it for urgency, so the first callback in the morning can go to the caller who needs it most.
Phone system pricing for a 4-person barber shop
Census did not publish a reliable employee count for barber shops in Lancaster, PA, so this comparison uses the U.S. average of 4 people per establishment. On a per-user plan that headcount sets the bill: $99.80 a month on Ooma Office Pro or $120.00 on RingCentral RingEX Core at list price (checked September 28, 2026). On Callata the same 4 people cost $99.00 a month, less than either per-seat plan.
The annual difference against RingCentral's monthly list price comes to $252. 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 | $99.00 | $1,188.00 |
| Quo (Starter) | $19.00 per user | $76.00 | $912.00 |
| Nextiva (Core) | $23.00 per user | $92.00 | $1,104.00 |
| Ooma (Office Pro) | $24.95 per user | $99.80 | $1,197.60 |
| Dialpad (Standard) | $27.00 per user | $108.00 | $1,296.00 |
| RingCentral (RingEX Core) | $30.00 per user | $120.00 | $1,440.00 |
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.
Local area codes for barber shops in Lancaster, PA
NANPA records place the exchanges of the area's named cities and towns in 2 area codes. 717 has the most, with 162 of 214 exchanges (76%). Callata's plan includes up to 3 local numbers; you can pick them in the area codes your clients recognize, subject to carrier inventory, or port the number you already have for free.
| Area code | Exchanges | Time zone | In service since | Overlay with |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 717 | 162 | Eastern | 1947 | 223 |
| 223 | 52 | Eastern | 2017 | 717 |
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 barber shops
Callata Office costs $99 per month for up to 5 people, and each additional user is $20 a month. That covers up to 3 local numbers, calling from a browser or your cell, transcribed voicemail, recorded calls with AI summaries, after-hours routing and E911 on each number.
If you already have a number in Lancaster, PA, 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 barber shops are there in Lancaster, PA?
Census County Business Patterns counted 13 barber shops in the Lancaster, PA metro area in 2023.
What does a business phone system cost for a 4-person barber shop?
At month-to-month list prices checked September 28, 2026, 4 users cost $120.00 a month on RingCentral RingEX Core and $99.80 on Ooma Office Pro. On Callata, $99 a month with 5 users included, then $20 per additional user, the same team pays $99.00.
What area code should a barber shop in Lancaster, PA use?
Area code 717 has the most assigned exchanges among the area's named places, followed by 223. If you already have a local number, you can port it to Callata for free.
Can an AI receptionist answer calls for a barber shop?
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.