CallataGuidesBusiness phone system for engineering services firms in Delaware
218 engineering services firms operated in Delaware in 2023. Where they are, how big their teams are, and what phone service costs them.
- Establishments
- 218CBP 2023
- Employees
- 2,659mid-March 2023
- Per 100k residents
- 20.7U.S. 18.6
- State rank
- 47th of 51by count
How many engineering services firms operate in Delaware
The Census Bureau counted 218 engineering services firms in Delaware in its 2023 County Business Patterns (NAICS 541330). They employed 2,659 people in mid-March and reported $259.8 million in annual payroll. That is the 47th highest count among the 51 states and DC with published figures. Engineering services firms make up 0.73% of the 29,706 business establishments in the state.
Per 100,000 residents (2024 estimate) Delaware has 20.7 engineering services firms, 11.5% above the national rate of 18.6. The average establishment has 12.2 employees against 19.9 nationally. Payroll per employee is $97,715, 11.1% below the U.S. figure of $109,949.
| Measure | Delaware | United States |
|---|---|---|
| Establishments | 218 | 63,233 |
| Mid-March employees | 2,659 | 1,260,577 |
| Annual payroll | $259,824,000 | $138,599,619,000 |
| Employees per establishment | 12.2 | 19.9 |
| Payroll per employee | $97,715 | $109,949 |
| Establishments per 100,000 residents | 20.7 | 18.6 |
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.
Where engineering services firms in Delaware are concentrated
Census published engineering firm counts for 3 metro or micropolitan areas that include part of Delaware. The largest is Philadelphia, PA-NJ-DE-MD, with 1,190 establishments (a multi-state area; its count covers every state it spans). Single-state metro and micropolitan areas account for 33% of the statewide total; the rest are outside any published area or in areas Census suppressed.
| Area | Establishments | Employees | Per 100k residents |
|---|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia, PA-NJ-DE-MD | 1,190 | 24,058 | 18.8 |
| Seaford, DE | 37 | 224 | 13.6 |
| Dover, DE | 36 | 343 | 18.7 |
Source: Census County Business Patterns 2023; population from Census Vintage 2024 estimates.
Team sizes at engineering services firms in Delaware
54.6% of Delaware's engineering services firms with employees had fewer than five people in March 2023, compared with 53.1% nationally. 69.7% 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 | 119 | 54.6% | 53.1% |
| 5–9 employees | 33 | 15.1% | 15.0% |
| 10–19 employees | 32 | 14.7% | 13.1% |
| 20–49 employees | 21 | 9.6% | 11.3% |
| 50 or more employees | 13 | 6.0% | 7.6% |
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 engineering services firms in Delaware
Engineering firms handle client calls, contractor questions and agency coordination, often while staff are in the field. Routing calls to the right project engineer saves time on every project.
Typical inbound and outbound calls for engineering services firms in Delaware:
- A municipal reviewer calls about comments.
- A developer calls about a site plan.
- A contractor calls with a field question.
Business texting for engineering services firms
Firms text site meeting times and document notifications.
Texting from a local number in Delaware requires carrier registration (10DLC), a one-time $49 fee on Callata.
Callata vs. per-seat pricing for engineering services firms in Delaware
Engineering services firms in Delaware average 12.2 employees, so the comparison uses a 12-person team. Per-seat business phone plans bill every one of those people. At month-to-month list prices checked September 28, 2026, 12 users on RingCentral RingEX Core cost $360.00 a month and 12 on Ooma Office Pro cost $299.40. Callata comes to $239.00 a month for 12 users ($99 a month with 5 users included, then $20 per additional user), below both.
Over a year, that is $1,452 less than RingCentral for an engineering firm in Delaware 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 | $239.00 | $2,868.00 |
| Quo (Starter) | $19.00 per user | $228.00 | $2,736.00 |
| Nextiva (Core) | $23.00 per user | $276.00 | $3,312.00 |
| Ooma (Office Pro) | $24.95 per user | $299.40 | $3,592.80 |
| Dialpad (Standard) | $27.00 per user | $324.00 | $3,888.00 |
| RingCentral (RingEX Core) | $30.00 per user | $360.00 | $4,320.00 |
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 Delaware
Delaware has 1 geographic area code in service according to NANPA. Callata includes up to 3 local numbers, so an engineering firm can hold a number in more than one of them.
| Area code | Exchanges | Time zone | In service since | Overlay with |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 302 | 656 | Eastern | 1947 | none |
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 engineering services firms in Delaware
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.
Porting a number you already use in Delaware 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 engineering services firms are in Delaware?
218 in 2023, according to Census County Business Patterns. They employed 2,659 people in mid-March.
Which Delaware metro area has the most engineering services firms?
Philadelphia, PA-NJ-DE-MD, with 1,190 establishments in 2023.
What does a phone system cost a 12-person engineering firm?
$360.00 a month on RingCentral RingEX Core or $299.40 on Ooma Office Pro at month-to-month list prices (checked September 28, 2026); $239.00 on Callata ($99 a month with 5 users included, then $20 per additional user).
Do I need to register to text customers from a Delaware 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.