CallataGuidesBusiness phone system for general rental centers in Pennsylvania
89 general rental centers operated in Pennsylvania in 2023. Where they are, how big their teams are, and what phone service costs them.
- Establishments
- 89CBP 2023
- Employees
- 745mid-March 2023
- Per 100k residents
- 0.7U.S. 0.8
- State rank
- 9th of 51by count
The general rental center industry in Pennsylvania
The Census Bureau counted 89 general rental centers in Pennsylvania in its 2023 County Business Patterns (NAICS 532310). They employed 745 people in mid-March and reported $42.8 million in annual payroll. That is the 9th highest count among the 51 states and DC with published figures. General rental centers make up 0.03% of the 307,065 business establishments in the state.
Per 100,000 residents (2024 estimate) Pennsylvania has 0.7 general rental centers, 15.1% below the national rate of 0.8. The average establishment has 8.4 employees against 7.2 nationally. Payroll per employee is $57,489, 2.6% below the U.S. figure of $59,025.
| Measure | Pennsylvania | United States |
|---|---|---|
| Establishments | 89 | 2,725 |
| Mid-March employees | 745 | 19,738 |
| Annual payroll | $42,829,000 | $1,165,027,000 |
| Employees per establishment | 8.4 | 7.2 |
| Payroll per employee | $57,489 | $59,025 |
| Establishments per 100,000 residents | 0.7 | 0.8 |
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.
General rental centers by metro area in Pennsylvania
Census published general rental center counts for 10 metro or micropolitan areas that include part of Pennsylvania. The largest is Philadelphia, PA-NJ-DE-MD, with 34 establishments (a multi-state area; its count covers every state it spans). Single-state metro and micropolitan areas account for 56% 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 | 34 | 278 | 0.5 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | 23 | 144 | 0.9 |
| Allentown, PA-NJ | 6 | 68 | 0.7 |
| Lancaster, PA | 6 | — | 1.1 |
| Reading, PA | 5 | 50 | 1.1 |
| York, PA | 4 | 27 | 0.8 |
| Harrisburg, PA | 3 | 17 | 0.5 |
| Scranton, PA | 3 | — | 0.5 |
| Chambersburg, PA | 3 | — | 1.9 |
| Hermitage, PA | 3 | — | 2.8 |
Source: Census County Business Patterns 2023; population from Census Vintage 2024 estimates.
Team sizes at general rental centers in Pennsylvania
50.0% of Pennsylvania's general rental centers with employees had fewer than five people in March 2023, compared with 50.8% nationally. 76.1% 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 | 44 | 50.0% | 50.8% |
| 5–9 employees | 23 | 26.1% | 26.8% |
| 10–19 employees | 13 | 14.8% | 15.4% |
| 20–49 employees | 8 | 9.1% | 6.1% |
| 50 or more employees | 0 | 0.0% | 1.0% |
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.
Why the phone matters for general rental centers in Pennsylvania
General rental centers rent tools, party equipment and more, and customers call about availability and delivery. Weekend events drive call peaks. That holds for general rental centers in Pennsylvania as much as anywhere.
Typical inbound and outbound calls for general rental centers in Pennsylvania:
- A customer calls to extend a rental.
- A customer calls about renting tables and chairs for a party.
- A homeowner calls about renting a floor sander.
Business texting for general rental centers
Rental centers text delivery and return 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 general rental centers in Pennsylvania
General rental centers in Pennsylvania average 8.4 employees, so the comparison uses an 8-person team. Per-seat business phone plans bill every one of those people. At month-to-month list prices checked September 28, 2026, 8 users on RingCentral RingEX Core cost $240.00 a month and 8 on Ooma Office Pro cost $199.60. Callata comes to $159.00 a month for 8 users ($99 a month with 5 users included, then $20 per additional user), below both.
Over a year, that is $972 less than RingCentral for a general rental center 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 | $159.00 | $1,908.00 |
| Quo (Starter) | $19.00 per user | $152.00 | $1,824.00 |
| Nextiva (Core) | $23.00 per user | $184.00 | $2,208.00 |
| Ooma (Office Pro) | $24.95 per user | $199.60 | $2,395.20 |
| Dialpad (Standard) | $27.00 per user | $216.00 | $2,592.00 |
| RingCentral (RingEX Core) | $30.00 per user | $240.00 | $2,880.00 |
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 general rental center 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 general rental centers 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.
Frequently asked questions
How many general rental centers are in Pennsylvania?
89 in 2023, according to Census County Business Patterns. They employed 745 people in mid-March.
Which Pennsylvania metro area has the most general rental centers?
Philadelphia, PA-NJ-DE-MD, with 34 establishments in 2023.
What does a phone system cost an 8-person general rental center?
$240.00 a month on RingCentral RingEX Core or $199.60 on Ooma Office Pro at month-to-month list prices (checked September 28, 2026); $159.00 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.