CallataGuidesBusiness phone system for engineering services firms in Des Moines, IA
Engineering services firms in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area: 120 establishments in 2023, the local area codes, and what phone service costs a 16-person team.
- Establishments
- 120CBP 2023
- Employees
- 1,955mid-March 2023
- Per 100k residents
- 15.9U.S. 18.6
- Rank
- 93rd of 735areas by count
How many engineering services firms are in Des Moines, IA?
There were 120 engineering services firms in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area in 2023, according to Census County Business Patterns (NAICS 541330, Engineering Services). They employed 1,955 people in mid-March and paid $194.2 million in annual payroll. By establishment count the area is 93rd out of 735 areas with published figures for engineering services firms.
Measured against its 754,000 residents (2024 estimate), the area has 15.9 engineering services firms per 100,000 people; the U.S. rate is 18.6, so Des Moines, IA is 14.4% below the national figure. The average establishment here has 16.3 employees, compared with 19.9 nationally. Payroll per employee comes to $99,324, 9.7% below the national $109,949.
| Measure | Des Moines, IA | Iowa | United States |
|---|---|---|---|
| Establishments | 120 | 399 | 63,233 |
| Mid-March employees | 1,955 | 7,899 | 1,260,577 |
| Annual payroll | $194,178,000 | $679,950,000 | $138,599,619,000 |
| Employees per establishment | 16.3 | 19.8 | 19.9 |
| Payroll per employee | $99,324 | $86,081 | $109,949 |
| Establishments per 100,000 residents | 15.9 | 12.3 | 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.
Team sizes at engineering services firms in Des Moines, IA
Of the engineering services firms in Des Moines, IA that had employees in March 2023, 38.7% had fewer than five (the U.S. share is 53.1%). 54.6% had fewer than ten. 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 | 46 | 38.7% | 53.1% |
| 5–9 employees | 19 | 16.0% | 15.0% |
| 10–19 employees | 21 | 17.6% | 13.1% |
| 20–49 employees | 25 | 21.0% | 11.3% |
| 50 or more employees | 8 | 6.7% | 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 Des Moines, IA
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. That holds for engineering services firms in Des Moines, IA as much as anywhere.
Typical inbound and outbound calls for engineering services firms in Des Moines, IA:
- A municipal reviewer calls about comments.
- The firm calls a client about a schedule.
- A contractor calls with a field question.
Texting clients
Firms text site meeting times and document notifications.
Texts sent from a local business number in Des Moines, IA have to be registered with carriers first (10DLC); on Callata that is a one-time $49 fee, after which the whole team can text from the shared number.
What a phone system costs an engineering firm in Des Moines, IA
The average engineering firm in Des Moines, IA has 16.3 employees, so a 16-person team is a reasonable benchmark. Priced per seat, 16 users would run $480.00 a month on RingCentral RingEX Core and $399.20 on Ooma Office Pro (month-to-month list prices, checked September 28, 2026). Callata comes to $319.00 a month for 16 users ($99 a month with 5 users included, then $20 per additional user), below both.
Over a year, that is $1,932 less than RingCentral for an engineering firm in Des Moines, IA 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 | $319.00 | $3,828.00 |
| Quo (Starter) | $19.00 per user | $304.00 | $3,648.00 |
| Nextiva (Core) | $23.00 per user | $368.00 | $4,416.00 |
| Ooma (Office Pro) | $24.95 per user | $399.20 | $4,790.40 |
| Dialpad (Standard) | $27.00 per user | $432.00 | $5,184.00 |
| RingCentral (RingEX Core) | $30.00 per user | $480.00 | $5,760.00 |
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 engineering services firms in Des Moines, IA
NANPA records place the exchanges of the area's named cities and towns in 3 area codes. 515 has the most, with 342 of 395 exchanges (87%). A local number lets clients in Des Moines, IA 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 515 | 342 | Central | 1947 | none |
| 641 | 52 | Central | 2000 | none |
| 712 | 1 | Central | 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.
Setting up Callata for an engineering firm in Des Moines, IA
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 Des Moines, IA 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 there in Des Moines, IA?
Census County Business Patterns counted 120 engineering services firms in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area in 2023. They employed 1,955 people in mid-March.
What does a business phone system cost for a 16-person engineering firm?
At month-to-month list prices checked September 28, 2026, 16 users cost $480.00 a month on RingCentral RingEX Core and $399.20 on Ooma Office Pro. On Callata, $99 a month with 5 users included, then $20 per additional user, the same team pays $319.00.
What area code should an engineering firm in Des Moines, IA use?
Area code 515 has the most assigned exchanges among the area's named places, followed by 641 and 712. If you already have a local number, you can port it to Callata for free.
Can an AI receptionist answer calls for an engineering firm?
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.