CallataGuidesBusiness phone system for engineering services firms in Little Rock, AR
Engineering services firms in the Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR metro area: 142 establishments in 2023, the local area codes, and what phone service costs a 9-person team.
- Establishments
- 142CBP 2023
- Employees
- 1,290mid-March 2023
- Per 100k residents
- 18.5U.S. 18.6
- Rank
- 82nd of 735areas by count
How many engineering services firms are in Little Rock, AR?
There were 142 engineering services firms in the Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR metro area in 2023, according to Census County Business Patterns (NAICS 541330, Engineering Services). Together they reported 1,290 mid-March employees and $126.7 million of payroll for the year. That ranks 82nd of the 735 metro and micropolitan areas where Census published a count for this industry.
With 769,000 residents in the Census 2024 estimate, that is 18.5 engineering services firms per 100,000 people, in line with the national rate of 18.6. Establishments average 9.1 employees, 54.4% below the U.S. average of 19.9. Payroll per employee comes to $98,179, 10.7% below the national $109,949.
| Measure | Little Rock, AR | Arkansas | United States |
|---|---|---|---|
| Establishments | 142 | 396 | 63,233 |
| Mid-March employees | 1,290 | 4,162 | 1,260,577 |
| Annual payroll | $126,651,000 | $357,298,000 | $138,599,619,000 |
| Employees per establishment | 9.1 | 10.5 | 19.9 |
| Payroll per employee | $98,179 | $85,848 | $109,949 |
| Establishments per 100,000 residents | 18.5 | 12.8 | 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 Little Rock, AR
Of the engineering services firms in Little Rock, AR that had employees in March 2023, 63.1% had fewer than five (the U.S. share is 53.1%). 73.8% 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 | 89 | 63.1% | 53.1% |
| 5–9 employees | 15 | 10.6% | 15.0% |
| 10–19 employees | 21 | 14.9% | 13.1% |
| 20–49 employees | 13 | 9.2% | 11.3% |
| 50 or more employees | 3 | 2.1% | 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.
What engineering services firms in Little Rock, AR use the phone for
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 Little Rock, AR:
- A contractor calls with a field question.
- A municipal reviewer calls about comments.
- A developer calls about a site plan.
After-hours calls
Field issues sometimes need an after-hours callback; routine calls can wait until morning.
With business-hours routing, calls after closing can go to transcribed voicemail or an optional AI receptionist instead of ringing an empty room.
What a phone system costs an engineering firm in Little Rock, AR
The average engineering firm in Little Rock, AR has 9.1 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.
Getting a local number in Little Rock, AR
NANPA records place the exchanges of the area's named cities and towns in 2 area codes. 501 has the most, with 386 of 395 exchanges (98%). 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 501 | 386 | Central | 1947 | none |
| 870 | 9 | Central | 1997 | 327 |
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.
What engineering services firms in Little Rock, AR get with Callata
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 Little Rock, AR, 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 engineering services firms are there in Little Rock, AR?
Census County Business Patterns counted 142 engineering services firms in the Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR metro area in 2023. They employed 1,290 people in mid-March.
What does a business phone system cost for a 9-person engineering firm?
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 engineering firm in Little Rock, AR use?
Area code 501 has the most assigned exchanges among the area's named places, followed by 870. 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.