CallataGuidesBusiness phone system for hardware stores in Yakima, WA
Hardware stores in the Yakima, WA metro area: 17 establishments in 2023, the local area codes, and what phone service costs a 14-person team.
- Establishments
- 17CBP 2023
- Employees
- 233mid-March 2023
- Per 100k residents
- 6.6U.S. 4.6
- Rank
- 169th of 767areas by count
Hardware stores in Yakima, WA by the numbers
There were 17 hardware stores in the Yakima, WA metro area in 2023, according to Census County Business Patterns (NAICS 444130, Hardware Stores). They employed 233 people in mid-March and paid $9,313,000 in annual payroll. By establishment count the area is 169th out of 767 areas with published figures for hardware stores.
Measured against its 259,000 residents (2024 estimate), the area has 6.6 hardware stores per 100,000 people; the U.S. rate is 4.6, so Yakima, WA is 42.5% above the national figure. The average establishment here has 13.7 employees, compared with 9.8 nationally. Payroll per employee comes to $39,970, 17.0% above the national $34,174.
| Measure | Yakima, WA | Washington | United States |
|---|---|---|---|
| Establishments | 17 | 349 | 15,694 |
| Mid-March employees | 233 | 4,467 | 153,041 |
| Annual payroll | $9,313,000 | $167,125,000 | $5,229,959,000 |
| Employees per establishment | 13.7 | 12.8 | 9.8 |
| Payroll per employee | $39,970 | $37,413 | $34,174 |
| Establishments per 100,000 residents | 6.6 | 4.4 | 4.6 |
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.
How big hardware stores in Yakima, WA are
Of the hardware stores in Yakima, WA that had employees in March 2023, 17.6% had fewer than five (the U.S. share is 39.0%). 47.1% 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 | 3 | 17.6% | 39.0% |
| 5–9 employees | 5 | 29.4% | 21.3% |
| 10–19 employees | 6 | 35.3% | 27.7% |
| 20–49 employees | 3 | 17.6% | 10.8% |
| 50 or more employees | 0 | 0.0% | 1.2% |
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 hardware stores in Yakima, WA use the phone for
Independent hardware stores answer calls asking whether an item is in stock, often from contractors who need it today. Fast answers keep them coming back.
Calls a hardware store in Yakima, WA might handle in a typical week include:
- A customer calls about key cutting.
- The store calls a customer when a special order arrives.
- A customer calls about hours.
What hardware stores text about
Stores text special-order arrival notices.
Texts sent from a local business number in Yakima, WA 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 a hardware store in Yakima, WA
The average hardware store in Yakima, WA has 13.7 employees, so a 14-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, 14 users on RingCentral RingEX Core cost $420.00 a month and 14 on Ooma Office Pro cost $349.30. Callata comes to $279.00 a month for 14 users ($99 a month with 5 users included, then $20 per additional user), below both.
Over a year, that is $1,692 less than RingCentral for a hardware store in Yakima, WA 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 | $279.00 | $3,348.00 |
| Quo (Starter) | $19.00 per user | $266.00 | $3,192.00 |
| Nextiva (Core) | $23.00 per user | $322.00 | $3,864.00 |
| Ooma (Office Pro) | $24.95 per user | $349.30 | $4,191.60 |
| Dialpad (Standard) | $27.00 per user | $378.00 | $4,536.00 |
| RingCentral (RingEX Core) | $30.00 per user | $420.00 | $5,040.00 |
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.
Which area code to use in Yakima, WA
The exchanges in the area's named cities and towns are all in area code 509 (97 exchanges in NANPA's file). A local number lets customers in Yakima, WA 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 509 | 97 | Pacific | 1957 | 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 hardware stores
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 Yakima, WA 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 hardware stores are there in Yakima, WA?
Census County Business Patterns counted 17 hardware stores in the Yakima, WA metro area in 2023. They employed 233 people in mid-March.
What does a business phone system cost for a 14-person hardware store?
At month-to-month list prices checked September 28, 2026, 14 users cost $420.00 a month on RingCentral RingEX Core and $349.30 on Ooma Office Pro. On Callata, $99 a month with 5 users included, then $20 per additional user, the same team pays $279.00.
What area code should a hardware store in Yakima, WA use?
Area code 509 has the most assigned exchanges among the area's named places. If you already have a local number, you can port it to Callata for free.
Can an AI receptionist answer calls for a hardware store?
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.