CallataGuidesBusiness phone system for graphic design services firms in Kansas City, MO-KS
Graphic design services firms in the Kansas City, MO-KS metro area: 116 establishments in 2023, the local area codes, and what phone service costs a 2-person team.
- Establishments
- 116CBP 2023
- Employees
- 271mid-March 2023
- Per 100k residents
- 5.1U.S. 4.7
- Rank
- 29th of 386areas by count
How many graphic design services firms are in Kansas City, MO-KS?
There were 116 graphic design services firms in the Kansas City, MO-KS metro area in 2023, according to Census County Business Patterns (NAICS 541430, Graphic Design Services). Together they reported 271 mid-March employees and $15.3 million of payroll for the year. That ranks 29th of the 386 metro and micropolitan areas where Census published a count for this industry.
With 2.3 million residents in the Census 2024 estimate, that is 5.1 graphic design services firms per 100,000 people, 10.6% above the national rate of 4.7. Establishments average 2.3 employees, 24.9% below the U.S. average of 3.1. Payroll per employee comes to $56,550, 13.0% below the national $65,029.
| Measure | Kansas City, MO-KS | Missouri | United States |
|---|---|---|---|
| Establishments | 116 | 242 | 15,828 |
| Mid-March employees | 271 (moderate noise) | 874 | 49,266 |
| Annual payroll | $15,325,000 | $52,554,000 | $3,203,710,000 |
| Employees per establishment | 2.3 | 3.6 | 3.1 |
| Payroll per employee | $56,550 | $60,130 | $65,029 |
| Establishments per 100,000 residents | 5.1 | 3.9 | 4.7 |
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.
Establishment size: graphic design services firms in Kansas City, MO-KS
Of the graphic design services firms in Kansas City, MO-KS that had employees in March 2023, 91.3% had fewer than five (the U.S. share is 84.3%). 96.5% 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 | 105 | 91.3% | 84.3% |
| 5–9 employees | 6 | 5.2% | 9.4% |
| 10–19 employees | 4 | 3.5% | 4.2% |
| 20–49 employees | not published | — | 1.7% |
| 50 or more employees | 0 | 0.0% | 0.4% |
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.
Calls a graphic design studio in Kansas City, MO-KS has to catch
Design studios are small and busy, and clients call with feedback, deadlines and new project inquiries. A business line separate from personal phones helps freelancers and small studios look established.
Calls a graphic design studio in Kansas City, MO-KS might handle in a typical week include:
- A client calls about a rush deadline.
- The studio calls a client to present concepts.
- A prospect calls about a rebrand.
Calls after closing time
After-hours calls are usually not urgent, except around print deadlines.
Callata transcribes voicemail and triages it for urgency, so the first callback in the morning can go to the caller who needs it most.
What a phone system costs a graphic design studio in Kansas City, MO-KS
The average graphic design studio in Kansas City, MO-KS has 2.3 employees, so a 2-person team is a reasonable benchmark. Priced per seat, 2 users would run $60.00 a month on RingCentral RingEX Core and $49.90 on Ooma Office Pro (month-to-month list prices, checked September 28, 2026). Callata is $99.00 a month with 5 users included, which is more than either per-seat plan for 2 people; it becomes the lower price at 4 users or more.
At this team size the per-seat plans cost less than Callata's $99 base price, which already covers 5 users; Callata becomes the lower price from 4 users.
| Provider (plan) | Pricing basis | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Callata (Callata Office) | $99 incl. 5 users, $20 per extra user | $99.00 | $1,188.00 |
| Quo (Starter) | $19.00 per user | $38.00 | $456.00 |
| Nextiva (Core) | $23.00 per user | $46.00 | $552.00 |
| Ooma (Office Pro) | $24.95 per user | $49.90 | $598.80 |
| Dialpad (Standard) | $27.00 per user | $54.00 | $648.00 |
| RingCentral (RingEX Core) | $30.00 per user | $60.00 | $720.00 |
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 Kansas City, MO-KS
NANPA records place the exchanges of the area's named cities and towns in 6 area codes. 816 has the most, with 685 of 1,247 exchanges (55%). 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 816 | 685 | Central | 1947 | 975 |
| 913 | 492 | Central | 1947 | none |
| 660 | 37 | Central | 1997 | none |
| 975 | 26 | Central | 2023 | 816 |
| 620 | 4 | Central and Mountain | 2001 | none |
| 785 | 3 | Central and Mountain | 1997 | 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 a graphic design studio in Kansas City, MO-KS
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 Kansas City, MO-KS, 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 graphic design services firms are there in Kansas City, MO-KS?
Census County Business Patterns counted 116 graphic design services firms in the Kansas City, MO-KS metro area in 2023. They employed 271 people in mid-March.
What does a business phone system cost for a 2-person graphic design studio?
At month-to-month list prices checked September 28, 2026, 2 users cost $60.00 a month on RingCentral RingEX Core and $49.90 on Ooma Office Pro. On Callata, $99 a month with 5 users included, then $20 per additional user, the same team pays $99.00.
What area code should a graphic design studio in Kansas City, MO-KS use?
Area code 816 has the most assigned exchanges among the area's named places, followed by 913 and 660. If you already have a local number, you can port it to Callata for free.
Can an AI receptionist answer calls for a graphic design studio?
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.