CallataGuidesBusiness phone system for employment placement agencies in Boston, MA-NH
Employment placement agencies in the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area: 151 establishments in 2023, the local area codes, and what phone service costs a 32-person team.
- Establishments
- 151CBP 2023
- Employees
- 4,857mid-March 2023
- Per 100k residents
- 3.0U.S. 2.3
- Rank
- 10th of 245areas by count
How many employment placement agencies are in Boston, MA-NH?
There were 151 employment placement agencies in the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area in 2023, according to Census County Business Patterns (NAICS 561311, Employment Placement Agencies). They employed 4,857 people in mid-March and paid $482.1 million in annual payroll. By establishment count the area is 10th out of 245 areas with published figures for employment placement agencies.
Measured against its 5.0 million residents (2024 estimate), the area has 3.0 employment placement agencies per 100,000 people; the U.S. rate is 2.3, so Boston, MA-NH is 33.1% above the national figure. The average establishment here has 32.2 employees, compared with 42.9 nationally. Payroll per employee comes to $99,251, 100.2% above the national $49,577.
| Measure | Boston, MA-NH | Massachusetts | United States |
|---|---|---|---|
| Establishments | 151 | 182 | 7,679 |
| Mid-March employees | 4,857 | 8,215 | 329,566 |
| Annual payroll | $482,060,000 (moderate noise) | $782,113,000 | $16,338,963,000 (moderate noise) |
| Employees per establishment | 32.2 | 45.1 | 42.9 |
| Payroll per employee | $99,251 | $95,205 | $49,577 |
| Establishments per 100,000 residents | 3.0 | 2.6 | 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 employment placement agencies in Boston, MA-NH are
Of the employment placement agencies in Boston, MA-NH that had employees in March 2023, 48.0% had fewer than five (the U.S. share is 54.5%). 62.2% 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 | 71 | 48.0% | 54.5% |
| 5–9 employees | 21 | 14.2% | 10.9% |
| 10–19 employees | 16 | 10.8% | 8.9% |
| 20–49 employees | 19 | 12.8% | 10.7% |
| 50 or more employees | 21 | 14.2% | 15.1% |
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 employment placement agencies in Boston, MA-NH
Recruiters live on the phone with candidates and hiring managers. Calls and texts need to be logged and routed to the right recruiter.
Typical inbound and outbound calls for employment placement agencies in Boston, MA-NH:
- A candidate calls to confirm an interview.
- A candidate calls about a posted job.
- A reference calls back.
Texting candidates and employers
Recruiters text interview confirmations and job details to candidates who opted in.
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.
Callata vs. per-seat pricing for employment placement agencies in Boston, MA-NH
The average employment placement agency in Boston, MA-NH has 32.2 employees, so a 32-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, 32 users on RingCentral RingEX Core cost $960.00 a month and 32 on Ooma Office Pro cost $798.40. Callata comes to $639.00 a month for 32 users ($99 a month with 5 users included, then $20 per additional user), below both.
Over a year, that is $3,852 less than RingCentral for an employment placement agency in Boston, MA-NH 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 | $639.00 | $7,668.00 |
| Quo (Starter) | $19.00 per user | $608.00 | $7,296.00 |
| Nextiva (Core) | $23.00 per user | $736.00 | $8,832.00 |
| Ooma (Office Pro) | $24.95 per user | $798.40 | $9,580.80 |
| Dialpad (Standard) | $27.00 per user | $864.00 | $10,368.00 |
| RingCentral (RingEX Core) | $30.00 per user | $960.00 | $11,520.00 |
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.
Getting a local number in Boston, MA-NH
NANPA records place the exchanges of the area's named cities and towns in 8 area codes. 781 has the most, with 763 of 3,063 exchanges (25%). A local number lets candidates and employers in Boston, MA-NH 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 781 | 763 | Eastern | 1997 | 339 |
| 978 | 642 | Eastern | 1997 | 351 |
| 617 | 635 | Eastern | 1947 | 857 |
| 508 | 282 | Eastern | 1988 | 774 |
| 857 | 278 | Eastern | 2001 | 617 |
| 603 | 203 | Eastern | 1947 | none |
| 774 | 163 | Eastern | 2001 | 508 |
| 339 | 97 | Eastern | 2001 | 781 |
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 employment placement agencies
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 Boston, MA-NH 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 employment placement agencies are there in Boston, MA-NH?
Census County Business Patterns counted 151 employment placement agencies in the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area in 2023. They employed 4,857 people in mid-March.
What does a business phone system cost for a 32-person employment placement agency?
At month-to-month list prices checked September 28, 2026, 32 users cost $960.00 a month on RingCentral RingEX Core and $798.40 on Ooma Office Pro. On Callata, $99 a month with 5 users included, then $20 per additional user, the same team pays $639.00.
What area code should an employment placement agency in Boston, MA-NH use?
Area code 781 has the most assigned exchanges among the area's named places, followed by 978 and 617. If you already have a local number, you can port it to Callata for free.
Can an AI receptionist answer calls for an employment placement agency?
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.