CallataGuidesBusiness phone system for management consulting firms in Charleston, SC
Management consulting firms in the Charleston-North Charleston, SC metro area: 226 establishments in 2023, the local area codes, and what phone service costs a 10-person team.
- Establishments
- 226CBP 2023
- Employees
- 2,322mid-March 2023
- Per 100k residents
- 26.0U.S. 30.7
- Rank
- 62nd of 753areas by count
Management consulting firms in Charleston, SC by the numbers
There were 226 management consulting firms in the Charleston-North Charleston, SC metro area in 2023, according to Census County Business Patterns (NAICS 541611, Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services). They employed 2,322 people in mid-March and paid $287.2 million in annual payroll. By establishment count the area is 62nd out of 753 areas with published figures for management consulting firms.
Measured against its 870,000 residents (2024 estimate), the area has 26.0 management consulting firms per 100,000 people; the U.S. rate is 30.7, so Charleston, SC is 15.4% below the national figure. The average establishment here has 10.3 employees, compared with 8.3 nationally. Payroll per employee comes to $123,702, in line with the national $121,753.
| Measure | Charleston, SC | South Carolina | United States |
|---|---|---|---|
| Establishments | 226 | 942 | 104,494 |
| Mid-March employees | 2,322 | 10,808 (moderate noise) | 869,457 |
| Annual payroll | $287,236,000 (moderate noise) | $932,561,000 | $105,858,919,000 |
| Employees per establishment | 10.3 | 11.5 | 8.3 |
| Payroll per employee | $123,702 | $86,284 | $121,753 |
| Establishments per 100,000 residents | 26.0 | 17.2 | 30.7 |
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: management consulting firms in Charleston, SC
Of the management consulting firms in Charleston, SC that had employees in March 2023, 83.9% had fewer than five (the U.S. share is 83.6%). 89.7% 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 | 187 | 83.9% | 83.6% |
| 5–9 employees | 13 | 5.8% | 6.8% |
| 10–19 employees | 12 | 5.4% | 4.1% |
| 20–49 employees | 7 | 3.1% | 3.0% |
| 50 or more employees | 4 | 1.8% | 2.5% |
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 management consulting firm in Charleston, SC has to catch
Consultants spend much of their time with clients and away from a desk, so calls land on cell phones. A business line that rings their cell keeps personal numbers private and makes the firm look established.
A few of the calls that come in to management consulting firms in Charleston, SC:
- A prospective client calls after a referral.
- A client calls to move a workshop date.
- A vendor calls about a subcontract.
Business texting for management consulting firms
Consultants text meeting logistics and quick confirmations to clients.
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.
Callata vs. per-seat pricing for management consulting firms in Charleston, SC
The average management consulting firm in Charleston, SC has 10.3 employees, so a 10-person team is a reasonable benchmark. On a per-user plan that headcount sets the bill: $249.50 a month on Ooma Office Pro or $300.00 on RingCentral RingEX Core at list price (checked September 28, 2026). Callata comes to $199.00 a month for 10 users ($99 a month with 5 users included, then $20 per additional user), below both.
Over a year, that is $1,212 less than RingCentral for a management consulting firm in Charleston, SC 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 | $199.00 | $2,388.00 |
| Quo (Starter) | $19.00 per user | $190.00 | $2,280.00 |
| Nextiva (Core) | $23.00 per user | $230.00 | $2,760.00 |
| Ooma (Office Pro) | $24.95 per user | $249.50 | $2,994.00 |
| Dialpad (Standard) | $27.00 per user | $270.00 | $3,240.00 |
| RingCentral (RingEX Core) | $30.00 per user | $300.00 | $3,600.00 |
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 Charleston, SC
NANPA records place the exchanges of the area's named cities and towns in 2 area codes. 843 has the most, with 267 of 330 exchanges (81%). A local number lets clients in Charleston, SC 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 843 | 267 | Eastern | 1998 | 854 |
| 854 | 63 | Eastern | 2015 | 843 |
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 management consulting firms
For $99 a month, Callata puts a team of up to 5 on one plan ($20 for each person after that): up to 3 local numbers, unlimited inbound calls, a pooled allowance of 1,500 outbound US and Canada minutes per user, browser and cell calling, voicemail transcription with urgency triage, recorded calls with AI summaries and business-hours routing, with E911 on every number.
Porting a number you already use in Charleston, SC 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 management consulting firms are there in Charleston, SC?
Census County Business Patterns counted 226 management consulting firms in the Charleston-North Charleston, SC metro area in 2023. They employed 2,322 people in mid-March.
What does a business phone system cost for a 10-person management consulting firm?
At month-to-month list prices checked September 28, 2026, 10 users cost $300.00 a month on RingCentral RingEX Core and $249.50 on Ooma Office Pro. On Callata, $99 a month with 5 users included, then $20 per additional user, the same team pays $199.00.
What area code should a management consulting firm in Charleston, SC use?
Area code 843 has the most assigned exchanges among the area's named places, followed by 854. If you already have a local number, you can port it to Callata for free.
Can an AI receptionist answer calls for a management 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.