CallataGuidesBusiness phone system for custom computer programming services firms in Missouri
733 custom computer programming services firms operated in Missouri in 2023. Where they are, how big their teams are, and what phone service costs them.
- Establishments
- 733CBP 2023
- Employees
- 17,120mid-March 2023
- Per 100k residents
- 11.7U.S. 20.0
- State rank
- 24th of 51by count
Custom computer programming services firms in Missouri by the numbers
The Census Bureau counted 733 custom computer programming services firms in Missouri in its 2023 County Business Patterns (NAICS 541511). They employed 17,120 people in mid-March and reported $1.9 billion in annual payroll. That is the 24th highest count among the 51 states and DC with published figures. Custom computer programming services firms make up 0.48% of the 151,475 business establishments in the state.
Per 100,000 residents (2024 estimate) Missouri has 11.7 custom computer programming services firms, 41.3% below the national rate of 20.0. The average establishment has 23.4 employees against 14.9 nationally. Payroll per employee is $110,115, 11.4% below the U.S. figure of $124,254.
| Measure | Missouri | United States |
|---|---|---|
| Establishments | 733 | 68,051 |
| Mid-March employees | 17,120 | 1,012,250 |
| Annual payroll | $1,885,175,000 | $125,775,835,000 |
| Employees per establishment | 23.4 | 14.9 |
| Payroll per employee | $110,115 | $124,254 |
| Establishments per 100,000 residents | 11.7 | 20.0 |
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.
Missouri's largest markets for custom computer programming services firms
Census published custom software firm counts for 12 metro or micropolitan areas that include part of Missouri. The largest is St. Louis, MO-IL, with 452 establishments (a multi-state area; its count covers every state it spans). Single-state metro and micropolitan areas account for 14% of the statewide total; the rest are outside any published area or in areas Census suppressed.
| Area | Establishments | Employees | Per 100k residents |
|---|---|---|---|
| St. Louis, MO-IL | 452 | 8,770 | 16.1 |
| Kansas City, MO-KS | 385 | 4,385 | 17.1 |
| Springfield, MO | 64 | 604 | 12.9 |
| Columbia, MO | 16 | 192 | 7.3 |
| Jefferson City, MO | 15 | 144 | 9.9 |
| Cape Girardeau, MO-IL | 10 | — | 10.1 |
| St. Joseph, MO-KS | 5 | — | 4.2 |
| Joplin, MO-KS | 4 | — | 1.9 |
| Quincy, IL-MO | 3 | 31 | 4.1 |
| Farmington, MO | 3 | — | 4.4 |
| Warrensburg, MO | 3 | — | 5.4 |
| Sedalia, MO | 3 | 7 | 6.9 |
Source: Census County Business Patterns 2023; population from Census Vintage 2024 estimates.
Team sizes at custom computer programming services firms in Missouri
69.4% of Missouri's custom computer programming services firms with employees had fewer than five people in March 2023, compared with 72.0% nationally. 81.0% 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 | 507 | 69.4% | 72.0% |
| 5–9 employees | 85 | 11.6% | 10.1% |
| 10–19 employees | 59 | 8.1% | 7.0% |
| 20–49 employees | 43 | 5.9% | 5.9% |
| 50 or more employees | 37 | 5.1% | 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.
What custom computer programming services firms in Missouri use the phone for
Small software shops juggle client meetings, support requests and sales calls with a team that is mostly heads-down building. A shared line with routing keeps support from interrupting developers while still answering clients.
Calls a custom software firm in Missouri might handle in a typical week include:
- A client calls to schedule a demo.
- A client calls to report a bug in production.
- The firm calls a client to review a milestone.
What custom computer programming services firms text about
Firms text release notices and meeting reminders.
Texting from a local number in Missouri requires carrier registration (10DLC), a one-time $49 fee on Callata.
Callata vs. per-seat pricing for custom computer programming services firms in Missouri
Custom computer programming services firms in Missouri average 23.4 employees, so the comparison uses a 23-person team. On a per-user plan that headcount sets the bill: $573.85 a month on Ooma Office Pro or $690.00 on RingCentral RingEX Core at list price (checked September 28, 2026). 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 custom software firm in Missouri 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.
Area codes in Missouri
Missouri has 9 geographic area codes in service according to NANPA. Callata includes up to 3 local numbers, so a custom software firm can hold a number in more than one of them.
| Area code | Exchanges | Time zone | In service since | Overlay with |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 573 | 786 | Central | 1996 | 235 |
| 816 | 785 | Central | 1947 | 975 |
| 314 | 783 | Central | 1947 | 557 |
| 417 | 711 | Central | 1950 | none |
| 660 | 516 | Central | 1997 | none |
| 636 | 435 | Central | 1999 | none |
| 557 | 83 | Central | 2022 | 314 |
| 235 | 41 | Central | 2024 | 573 |
| 975 | 28 | Central | 2023 | 816 |
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 custom computer programming services firms in Missouri
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 Missouri 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 custom computer programming services firms are in Missouri?
733 in 2023, according to Census County Business Patterns. They employed 17,120 people in mid-March.
Which Missouri metro area has the most custom computer programming services firms?
St. Louis, MO-IL, with 452 establishments in 2023.
What does a phone system cost a 23-person custom software firm?
$690.00 a month on RingCentral RingEX Core or $573.85 on Ooma Office Pro at month-to-month list prices (checked September 28, 2026); $459.00 on Callata ($99 a month with 5 users included, then $20 per additional user).
Do I need to register to text customers from a Missouri 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.