CallataGuidesBusiness phone system for security systems services in Chicago, IL-IN
Security systems services in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area: 157 establishments in 2023, the local area codes, and what phone service costs a 23-person team.
- Establishments
- 157CBP 2023
- Employees
- 3,662mid-March 2023
- Per 100k residents
- 1.7U.S. 2.1
- Rank
- 7th of 298areas by count
How many security systems services are in Chicago, IL-IN?
There were 157 security systems services in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area in 2023, according to Census County Business Patterns (NAICS 561621, Security Systems Services (except Locksmiths)). They employed 3,662 people in mid-March and paid $276.7 million in annual payroll. By establishment count the area is 7th out of 298 areas with published figures for security systems services.
Measured against its 9.4 million residents (2024 estimate), the area has 1.7 security systems services per 100,000 people; the U.S. rate is 2.1, so Chicago, IL-IN is 20.6% below the national figure. The average establishment here has 23.3 employees, compared with 18.0 nationally. Payroll per employee comes to $75,551, 7.8% above the national $70,074.
| Measure | Chicago, IL-IN | Illinois | United States |
|---|---|---|---|
| Establishments | 157 | 187 | 7,151 |
| Mid-March employees | 3,662 (moderate noise) | 4,144 | 128,462 |
| Annual payroll | $276,669,000 (moderate noise) | $302,567,000 (moderate noise) | $9,001,839,000 |
| Employees per establishment | 23.3 | 22.2 | 18.0 |
| Payroll per employee | $75,551 | $73,013 | $70,074 |
| Establishments per 100,000 residents | 1.7 | 1.5 | 2.1 |
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.
Team sizes at security systems services in Chicago, IL-IN
Of the security systems services in Chicago, IL-IN that had employees in March 2023, 47.7% had fewer than five (the U.S. share is 48.4%). 65.8% had fewer than ten. 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 | 74 | 47.7% | 48.4% |
| 5–9 employees | 28 | 18.1% | 19.3% |
| 10–19 employees | 27 | 17.4% | 13.9% |
| 20–49 employees | 12 | 7.7% | 11.1% |
| 50 or more employees | 14 | 9.0% | 7.3% |
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 security systems services in Chicago, IL-IN use the phone for
Security companies take calls about new installations, alarms and service problems. Existing customers expect quick help when a system misbehaves.
Calls a security systems company in Chicago, IL-IN might handle in a typical week include:
- A builder calls about pre-wiring.
- A customer calls to add a user code.
- The company calls a customer to schedule service.
Business texting for security systems services
Companies text appointment confirmations and service updates.
Texts sent from a local business number in Chicago, IL-IN 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.
Phone system pricing for a 23-person security systems company
The average security systems company in Chicago, IL-IN has 23.3 employees, so a 23-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, 23 users on RingCentral RingEX Core cost $690.00 a month and 23 on Ooma Office Pro cost $573.85. Callata comes to $459.00 a month for 23 users ($99 a month with 5 users included, then $20 per additional user), below both.
Over a year, that is $2,772 less than RingCentral for a security systems company in Chicago, IL-IN 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 | $459.00 | $5,508.00 |
| Quo (Starter) | $19.00 per user | $437.00 | $5,244.00 |
| Nextiva (Core) | $23.00 per user | $529.00 | $6,348.00 |
| Ooma (Office Pro) | $24.95 per user | $573.85 | $6,886.20 |
| Dialpad (Standard) | $27.00 per user | $621.00 | $7,452.00 |
| RingCentral (RingEX Core) | $30.00 per user | $690.00 | $8,280.00 |
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.
Local area codes for security systems services in Chicago, IL-IN
NANPA records place the exchanges of the area's named cities and towns in 8 area codes. 630 has the most, with 778 of 3,886 exchanges (20%). A local number lets customers in Chicago, IL-IN 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 630 | 778 | Central | 1996 | 331 |
| 847 | 766 | Central | 1996 | 224 |
| 708 | 748 | Central | 1989 | 464 |
| 224 | 581 | Central | 2002 | 847 |
| 219 | 369 | Eastern and Central | 1948 | none |
| 815 | 292 | Central | 1947 | 779 |
| 331 | 224 | Central | 2007 | 630 |
| 779 | 128 | Central | 2007 | 815 |
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.
Setting up Callata for a security systems company in Chicago, IL-IN
Callata Office costs $99 per month for up to 5 people, and each additional user is $20 a month. That covers up to 3 local numbers, calling from a browser or your cell, transcribed voicemail, recorded calls with AI summaries, after-hours routing and E911 on each number.
Porting a number you already use in Chicago, IL-IN 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 security systems services are there in Chicago, IL-IN?
Census County Business Patterns counted 157 security systems services in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area in 2023. They employed 3,662 people in mid-March.
What does a business phone system cost for a 23-person security systems company?
At month-to-month list prices checked September 28, 2026, 23 users cost $690.00 a month on RingCentral RingEX Core and $573.85 on Ooma Office Pro. On Callata, $99 a month with 5 users included, then $20 per additional user, the same team pays $459.00.
What area code should a security systems company in Chicago, IL-IN use?
Area code 630 has the most assigned exchanges among the area's named places, followed by 847 and 708. If you already have a local number, you can port it to Callata for free.
Can an AI receptionist answer calls for a security systems company?
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.