CallataGuidesBusiness phone system for sign manufacturers in Memphis, TN-MS-AR
Sign manufacturers in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area: 16 establishments in 2023, the local area codes, and what phone service costs an 8-person team.
- Establishments
- 16CBP 2023
- Employees
- 128mid-March 2023
- Per 100k residents
- 1.2U.S. 1.7
- Rank
- 67th of 316areas by count
The sign company market in Memphis, TN-MS-AR
The Census Bureau's 2023 County Business Patterns lists 16 establishments classified as Sign Manufacturing (NAICS 339950) in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area. Together they reported 128 mid-March employees and $5,940,000 of payroll for the year. That ranks 67th of the 316 metro and micropolitan areas where Census published a count for this industry.
With 1.3 million residents in the Census 2024 estimate, that is 1.2 sign manufacturers per 100,000 people, 31.1% below the national rate of 1.7. Establishments average 8.0 employees, 37.9% below the U.S. average of 12.9. Payroll per employee comes to $46,406, 20.7% below the national $58,525.
| Measure | Memphis, TN-MS-AR | Tennessee | United States |
|---|---|---|---|
| Establishments | 16 | 118 | 5,895 |
| Mid-March employees | 128 | 1,559 | 75,898 |
| Annual payroll | $5,940,000 | $80,633,000 | $4,441,905,000 |
| Employees per establishment | 8.0 | 13.2 | 12.9 |
| Payroll per employee | $46,406 | $51,721 | $58,525 |
| Establishments per 100,000 residents | 1.2 | 1.6 | 1.7 |
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.
How big sign manufacturers in Memphis, TN-MS-AR are
Of the sign manufacturers in Memphis, TN-MS-AR that had employees in March 2023, 50.0% had fewer than five (the U.S. share is 51.3%). 78.6% 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 | 7 | 50.0% | 51.3% |
| 5–9 employees | 4 | 28.6% | 21.2% |
| 10–19 employees | 3 | 21.4% | 13.0% |
| 20–49 employees | not published | — | 9.6% |
| 50 or more employees | 0 | 0.0% | 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 sign company in Memphis, TN-MS-AR has to catch
Sign shops take calls about quotes, designs, permits and installations. Many jobs involve site visits and coordination with landlords.
Calls a sign company in Memphis, TN-MS-AR might handle in a typical week include:
- The shop calls a client to schedule installation.
- A client calls about a vehicle wrap.
- A landlord calls about sign permits.
After-hours calls
After-hours calls are mostly quote requests.
Callata transcribes voicemail and triages it for urgency, so the first callback in the morning can go to the caller who needs it most.
What a phone system costs a sign company in Memphis, TN-MS-AR
The average sign company in Memphis, TN-MS-AR has 8.0 employees, so an 8-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, 8 users on RingCentral RingEX Core cost $240.00 a month and 8 on Ooma Office Pro cost $199.60. On Callata the same 8 people cost $159.00 a month, less than either per-seat plan.
The annual difference against RingCentral's monthly list price comes to $972. Some vendors discount annual contracts; the table shows month-to-month prices.
| 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.
Which area code to use in Memphis, TN-MS-AR
NANPA records place the exchanges of the area's named cities and towns in 4 area codes. 901 has the most, with 606 of 709 exchanges (85%). Callata's plan includes up to 3 local numbers; you can pick them in the area codes your clients recognize, subject to carrier inventory, or port the number you already have for free.
| Area code | Exchanges | Time zone | In service since | Overlay with |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 901 | 606 | Central | 1947 | none |
| 662 | 79 | Central | 1999 | 471 |
| 870 | 22 | Central | 1997 | 327 |
| 327 | 2 | Central | 2024 | 870 |
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 sign manufacturers in Memphis, TN-MS-AR get with Callata
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.
If you already have a number in Memphis, TN-MS-AR, porting it to Callata is free. Texting from a local number requires a one-time carrier registration (10DLC, $49), and the numbers available in any area code depend on carrier inventory when you choose them.
Optional AI agents (receptionist, sales, support or scheduler) can answer calls after hours or when nobody picks up, take messages, text, email and transfer to your team. They are billed from prepaid AI minutes at $0.25 per minute, identify themselves as AI, and may only place outbound calls to people who consented, between 8am and 9pm.
Frequently asked questions
How many sign manufacturers are there in Memphis, TN-MS-AR?
Census County Business Patterns counted 16 sign manufacturers in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area in 2023. They employed 128 people in mid-March.
What does a business phone system cost for an 8-person sign company?
At month-to-month list prices checked September 28, 2026, 8 users cost $240.00 a month on RingCentral RingEX Core and $199.60 on Ooma Office Pro. On Callata, $99 a month with 5 users included, then $20 per additional user, the same team pays $159.00.
What area code should a sign company in Memphis, TN-MS-AR use?
Area code 901 has the most assigned exchanges among the area's named places, followed by 662 and 870. If you already have a local number, you can port it to Callata for free.
Can an AI receptionist answer calls for a sign 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.