CallataGuidesBusiness phone system for new car dealers in Pennsylvania
1,046 new car dealers operated in Pennsylvania in 2023. Where they are, how big their teams are, and what phone service costs them.
- Establishments
- 1,046CBP 2023
- Employees
- 47,766mid-March 2023
- Per 100k residents
- 8.0U.S. 6.4
- State rank
- 5th of 50by count
New car dealers in Pennsylvania by the numbers
The Census Bureau counted 1,046 new car dealers in Pennsylvania in its 2023 County Business Patterns (NAICS 441110). They employed 47,766 people in mid-March and reported $3.2 billion in annual payroll. That is the 5th highest count among the 50 states and DC with published figures. New car dealers make up 0.34% of the 307,065 business establishments in the state.
Per 100,000 residents (2024 estimate) Pennsylvania has 8.0 new car dealers, 24.1% above the national rate of 6.4. The average establishment has 45.7 employees against 51.6 nationally. Payroll per employee is $67,601, 14.8% below the U.S. figure of $79,300.
| Measure | Pennsylvania | United States |
|---|---|---|
| Establishments | 1,046 | 21,910 |
| Mid-March employees | 47,766 | 1,131,340 |
| Annual payroll | $3,229,050,000 | $89,715,562,000 |
| Employees per establishment | 45.7 | 51.6 |
| Payroll per employee | $67,601 | $79,300 |
| Establishments per 100,000 residents | 8.0 | 6.4 |
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.
Where new car dealers in Pennsylvania are concentrated
Census published new car dealership counts for 35 metro or micropolitan areas that include part of Pennsylvania. The largest is Philadelphia, PA-NJ-DE-MD, with 381 establishments (a multi-state area; its count covers every state it spans). Single-state metro and micropolitan areas account for 67% of the statewide total; the rest are outside any published area or in areas Census suppressed.
| Area | Establishments | Employees | Per 100k residents |
|---|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia, PA-NJ-DE-MD | 381 | 20,703 | 6.0 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | 211 | 10,272 | 8.7 |
| Allentown, PA-NJ | 57 | 3,252 | 6.4 |
| Harrisburg, PA | 56 | 2,690 | 9.1 |
| Scranton, PA | 51 | 2,206 | 8.9 |
| Lancaster, PA | 49 | 2,195 | 8.7 |
| Reading, PA | 37 | 1,783 | 8.4 |
| York, PA | 29 | 1,440 | 6.2 |
| Erie, PA | 22 | 1,044 | 8.2 |
| Lebanon, PA | 19 | 509 | 13.1 |
| Johnstown, PA | 18 | 482 | 13.8 |
| Williamsport, PA | 17 | 858 | 15.0 |
| East Stroudsburg, PA | 16 | 624 | 9.6 |
| DuBois, PA | 14 | 313 | 17.9 |
| State College, PA | 12 | 555 | 7.5 |
| Chambersburg, PA | 12 | 705 | 7.5 |
| Altoona, PA | 12 | 558 | 10.0 |
| Hermitage, PA | 12 | 428 | 11.1 |
| Indiana, PA | 11 | 454 | 13.3 |
| Pottsville, PA | 10 | 229 | 6.9 |
| Gettysburg, PA | 10 | 428 | 9.3 |
| Meadville, PA | 10 | 261 | 12.2 |
| Somerset, PA | 10 | 236 | 13.9 |
| Sunbury, PA | 8 | 444 | 7.4 |
| Sayre, PA | 8 | 203 | 13.4 |
Top 25 of 35 areas by establishments. Source: Census CBP 2023.
Team sizes at new car dealers in Pennsylvania
9.7% of Pennsylvania's new car dealers with employees had fewer than five people in March 2023, compared with 14.1% nationally. 15.3% had fewer than ten. At that size the phone is shared, so routing (who rings, when, and what happens after hours) matters more than the number of desk phones.
| Employment size | Establishments | Share | U.S. share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1–4 employees | 101 | 9.7% | 14.1% |
| 5–9 employees | 59 | 5.7% | 5.1% |
| 10–19 employees | 89 | 8.5% | 8.8% |
| 20–49 employees | 423 | 40.5% | 31.2% |
| 50 or more employees | 372 | 35.6% | 40.8% |
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 new car dealership in Pennsylvania has to catch
Dealerships route calls between sales, service and parts, and each department has different peak times. Fast follow-up on sales inquiries is critical.
A few of the calls that come in to new car dealers in Pennsylvania:
- A customer calls about a recall.
- A customer calls the parts department.
- A service customer calls to book maintenance.
What new car dealers text about
Dealers text service updates and appointment reminders.
Texting from a local number in Pennsylvania requires carrier registration (10DLC), a one-time $49 fee on Callata.
Callata vs. per-seat pricing for new car dealers in Pennsylvania
New car dealers in Pennsylvania average 45.7 employees, so the comparison uses a 46-person team. Per-seat business phone plans bill every one of those people. At month-to-month list prices checked September 28, 2026, 46 users on RingCentral RingEX Core cost $1,380.00 a month and 46 on Ooma Office Pro cost $1,147.70. Callata comes to $919.00 a month for 46 users ($99 a month with 5 users included, then $20 per additional user), below both.
Over a year, that is $5,532 less than RingCentral for a new car dealership in Pennsylvania 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 | $919.00 | $11,028.00 |
| Quo (Starter) | $19.00 per user | $874.00 | $10,488.00 |
| Nextiva (Core) | $23.00 per user | $1,058.00 | $12,696.00 |
| Ooma (Office Pro) | $24.95 per user | $1,147.70 | $13,772.40 |
| Dialpad (Standard) | $27.00 per user | $1,242.00 | $14,904.00 |
| RingCentral (RingEX Core) | $30.00 per user | $1,380.00 | $16,560.00 |
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.
Area codes in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania has 15 geographic area codes in service according to NANPA. Callata includes up to 3 local numbers, so a new car dealership can hold a number in more than one of them.
| Area code | Exchanges | Time zone | In service since | Overlay with |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 267 | 786 | Eastern | 1999 | 215, 445 |
| 484 | 786 | Eastern | 1999 | 610, 835 |
| 717 | 784 | Eastern | 1947 | 223 |
| 814 | 784 | Eastern | 1947 | 582 |
| 215 | 783 | Eastern | 1947 | 267, 445 |
| 724 | 783 | Eastern | 1998 | 878 |
| 570 | 782 | Eastern | 1998 | 272 |
| 610 | 782 | Eastern | 1994 | 484, 835 |
| 412 | 762 | Eastern | 1947 | 878 |
| 272 | 336 | Eastern | 2013 | 570 |
| 223 | 252 | Eastern | 2017 | 717 |
| 878 | 190 | Eastern | 2001 | 412, 724 |
| 445 | 183 | Eastern | 2018 | 215, 267 |
| 582 | 154 | Eastern | 2021 | 814 |
| 835 | 109 | Eastern | 2022 | 484, 610 |
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 new car dealers in Pennsylvania
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 Pennsylvania 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.
Sales calls and texts to leads require appropriate consent under telemarketing rules.
Frequently asked questions
How many new car dealers are in Pennsylvania?
1,046 in 2023, according to Census County Business Patterns. They employed 47,766 people in mid-March.
Which Pennsylvania metro area has the most new car dealers?
Philadelphia, PA-NJ-DE-MD, with 381 establishments in 2023.
What does a phone system cost a 46-person new car dealership?
$1,380.00 a month on RingCentral RingEX Core or $1,147.70 on Ooma Office Pro at month-to-month list prices (checked September 28, 2026); $919.00 on Callata ($99 a month with 5 users included, then $20 per additional user).
Do I need to register to text customers from a Pennsylvania number?
Yes. US carriers require business texting from local numbers to be registered (10DLC). On Callata the registration is a one-time $49 fee, and texting turns on once it is approved.