CallataGuidesBusiness phone system for electrical contractors in Chico, CA
Electrical contractors in the Chico, CA metro area: 61 establishments in 2023, the local area codes, and what phone service costs a 9-person team.
- Establishments
- 61CBP 2023
- Employees
- 546mid-March 2023
- Per 100k residents
- 29.3U.S. 24.5
- Rank
- 213th of 901areas by count
How many electrical contractors are in Chico, CA?
There were 61 electrical contractors in the Chico, CA metro area in 2023, according to Census County Business Patterns (NAICS 238210, Electrical Contractors and Other Wiring Installation Contractors). Together they reported 546 mid-March employees and $37.5 million of payroll for the year. That ranks 213th of the 901 metro and micropolitan areas where Census published a count for this industry.
With 208,000 residents in the Census 2024 estimate, that is 29.3 electrical contractors per 100,000 people, 19.5% above the national rate of 24.5. Establishments average 9.0 employees, 26.6% below the U.S. average of 12.2. Payroll per employee comes to $68,626, 10.3% below the national $76,545.
| Measure | Chico, CA | California | United States |
|---|---|---|---|
| Establishments | 61 | 10,162 | 83,342 |
| Mid-March employees | 546 (moderate noise) | 120,017 | 1,015,983 |
| Annual payroll | $37,470,000 | $10,665,499,000 | $77,768,461,000 |
| Employees per establishment | 9.0 | 11.8 | 12.2 |
| Payroll per employee | $68,626 | $88,867 | $76,545 |
| Establishments per 100,000 residents | 29.3 | 25.8 | 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.
Team sizes at electrical contractors in Chico, CA
Of the electrical contractors in Chico, CA that had employees in March 2023, 55.9% had fewer than five (the U.S. share is 58.6%). 76.3% had fewer than ten. When a business has only a few people, whoever is free answers the phone, and calls that arrive while everyone is busy go to voicemail unless they are routed somewhere else.
| Employment size | Establishments | Share | U.S. share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1–4 employees | 33 | 55.9% | 58.6% |
| 5–9 employees | 12 | 20.3% | 18.3% |
| 10–19 employees | 10 | 16.9% | 11.2% |
| 20–49 employees | 4 | 6.8% | 7.6% |
| 50 or more employees | 0 | 0.0% | 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.
What electrical contractors in Chico, CA use the phone for
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 Chico, CA:
- A customer calls about installing an EV charger.
- A builder calls to schedule rough-in.
- The contractor calls an inspector to book an inspection.
Calls after closing time
Power problems after hours can be urgent, so capturing and flagging them helps.
Business-hours routing in Callata sends calls to voicemail, a teammate's cell or an AI agent once the day ends, and voicemails arrive transcribed with an urgency flag.
Callata vs. per-seat pricing for electrical contractors in Chico, CA
The average electrical contractor in Chico, CA has 9.0 employees, so a 9-person team is a reasonable benchmark. Per-seat business phone plans bill every one of those people. At month-to-month list prices checked September 28, 2026, 9 users on RingCentral RingEX Core cost $270.00 a month and 9 on Ooma Office Pro cost $224.55. On Callata the same 9 people cost $179.00 a month, less than either per-seat plan.
The annual difference against RingCentral's monthly list price comes to $1,092. 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 | $179.00 | $2,148.00 |
| Quo (Starter) | $19.00 per user | $171.00 | $2,052.00 |
| Nextiva (Core) | $23.00 per user | $207.00 | $2,484.00 |
| Ooma (Office Pro) | $24.95 per user | $224.55 | $2,694.60 |
| Dialpad (Standard) | $27.00 per user | $243.00 | $2,916.00 |
| RingCentral (RingEX Core) | $30.00 per user | $270.00 | $3,240.00 |
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 electrical contractors in Chico, CA
NANPA records place the exchanges of the area's named cities and towns in 3 area codes. 530 has the most, with 106 of 108 exchanges (98%). Callata's plan includes up to 3 local numbers; you can pick them in the area codes your customers recognize, subject to carrier inventory, or port the number you already have for free.
| Area code | Exchanges | Time zone | In service since | Overlay with |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 530 | 106 | Pacific | 1997 | 837 |
| 837 | 1 | Pacific | 2025 | 530 |
| 916 | 1 | Pacific | 1947 | 279 |
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.
Setting up Callata for an electrical contractor in Chico, CA
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.
If you already have a number in Chico, CA, 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 electrical contractors are there in Chico, CA?
Census County Business Patterns counted 61 electrical contractors in the Chico, CA metro area in 2023. They employed 546 people in mid-March.
What does a business phone system cost for a 9-person electrical contractor?
At month-to-month list prices checked September 28, 2026, 9 users cost $270.00 a month on RingCentral RingEX Core and $224.55 on Ooma Office Pro. On Callata, $99 a month with 5 users included, then $20 per additional user, the same team pays $179.00.
What area code should an electrical contractor in Chico, CA use?
Area code 530 has the most assigned exchanges among the area's named places, followed by 837 and 916. If you already have a local number, you can port it to Callata for free.
Can an AI receptionist answer calls for an electrical contractor?
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.