CallataGuidesBusiness phone system for human resources consulting firms in Des Moines, IA
Human resources consulting firms in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area: 35 establishments in 2023, the local area codes, and what phone service costs a 68-person team.
- Establishments
- 35CBP 2023
- Employees
- 2,380mid-March 2023
- Per 100k residents
- 4.6U.S. 2.5
- Rank
- 44th of 232areas by count
Human resources consulting firms in Des Moines, IA by the numbers
The Census Bureau's 2023 County Business Patterns lists 35 establishments classified as Human Resources Consulting Services (NAICS 541612) in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area. They employed 2,380 people in mid-March and paid $172.2 million in annual payroll. By establishment count the area is 44th out of 232 areas with published figures for human resources consulting firms.
Measured against its 754,000 residents (2024 estimate), the area has 4.6 human resources consulting firms per 100,000 people; the U.S. rate is 2.5, so Des Moines, IA is 85.2% above the national figure. The average establishment here has 68.0 employees, compared with 15.7 nationally. Payroll per employee comes to $72,352, 24.6% below the national $96,006.
| Measure | Des Moines, IA | Iowa | United States |
|---|---|---|---|
| Establishments | 35 | 69 | 8,526 |
| Mid-March employees | 2,380 (moderate noise) | 2,694 (moderate noise) | 134,151 |
| Annual payroll | $172,198,000 | $193,581,000 | $12,879,341,000 |
| Employees per establishment | 68.0 | 39.0 | 15.7 |
| Payroll per employee | $72,352 | $71,856 | $96,006 |
| Establishments per 100,000 residents | 4.6 | 2.1 | 2.5 |
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 human resources consulting firms in Des Moines, IA are
Of the human resources consulting firms in Des Moines, IA that had employees in March 2023, 79.3% had fewer than five (the U.S. share is 74.5%). For a business of a few people, phone coverage is a staffing question as much as a technology one: someone has to be free to pick up, or the call needs somewhere sensible to go.
| Employment size | Establishments | Share | U.S. share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1–4 employees | 23 | 79.3% | 74.5% |
| 5–9 employees | not published | — | 9.8% |
| 10–19 employees | not published | — | 6.0% |
| 20–49 employees | 3 | 10.3% | 4.8% |
| 50 or more employees | 3 | 10.3% | 4.9% |
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 HR consulting firm in Des Moines, IA has to catch
HR consultants are often the first call when an employer faces a personnel issue, so clients expect a quick response. Those calls can involve sensitive information that should go to the right person directly.
A few of the calls that come in to human resources consulting firms in Des Moines, IA:
- The firm calls a client to schedule a training session.
- A prospect calls about outsourced HR support.
- A business owner calls about an employee complaint.
What human resources consulting firms text about
Firms text scheduling details while keeping personnel matters to calls and secure documents.
Team texting on Callata runs from your business number, so replies come from the practice or shop rather than someone's personal phone. It turns on after the one-time $49 carrier registration (10DLC) is approved.
What a phone system costs a HR consulting firm in Des Moines, IA
The average HR consulting firm in Des Moines, IA has 68.0 employees, so a 68-person team is a reasonable benchmark. On a per-user plan that headcount sets the bill: $1,696.60 a month on Ooma Office Pro or $2,040.00 on RingCentral RingEX Core at list price (checked September 28, 2026). Callata comes to $1,359.00 a month for 68 users ($99 a month with 5 users included, then $20 per additional user), below both.
Over a year, that is $8,172 less than RingCentral for a HR consulting 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 | $1,359.00 | $16,308.00 |
| Quo (Starter) | $19.00 per user | $1,292.00 | $15,504.00 |
| Nextiva (Core) | $23.00 per user | $1,564.00 | $18,768.00 |
| Ooma (Office Pro) | $24.95 per user | $1,696.60 | $20,359.20 |
| Dialpad (Standard) | $27.00 per user | $1,836.00 | $22,032.00 |
| RingCentral (RingEX Core) | $30.00 per user | $2,040.00 | $24,480.00 |
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 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.
What human resources consulting firms in Des Moines, IA get with Callata
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 human resources consulting firms are there in Des Moines, IA?
Census County Business Patterns counted 35 human resources consulting firms in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area in 2023. They employed 2,380 people in mid-March.
What does a business phone system cost for a 68-person HR consulting firm?
At month-to-month list prices checked September 28, 2026, 68 users cost $2,040.00 a month on RingCentral RingEX Core and $1,696.60 on Ooma Office Pro. On Callata, $99 a month with 5 users included, then $20 per additional user, the same team pays $1,359.00.
What area code should a HR consulting 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 a HR consulting 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.