CallataGuidesBusiness phone system for custom computer programming services firms in New Jersey
2,965 custom computer programming services firms operated in New Jersey in 2023. Where they are, how big their teams are, and what phone service costs them.
- Establishments
- 2,965CBP 2023
- Employees
- 49,196mid-March 2023
- Per 100k residents
- 31.2U.S. 20.0
- State rank
- 6th of 51by count
How many custom computer programming services firms operate in New Jersey
New Jersey had 2,965 custom computer programming services firms in 2023, according to Census County Business Patterns (NAICS 541511, Custom Computer Programming Services). They employed 49,196 people in mid-March and reported $5.4 billion in annual payroll. That is the 6th highest count among the 51 states and DC with published figures. Custom computer programming services firms make up 1.2% of the 237,968 business establishments in the state.
Per 100,000 residents (2024 estimate) New Jersey has 31.2 custom computer programming services firms, 56.0% above the national rate of 20.0. The average establishment has 16.6 employees against 14.9 nationally. Payroll per employee is $109,441, 11.9% below the U.S. figure of $124,254.
| Measure | New Jersey | United States |
|---|---|---|
| Establishments | 2,965 | 68,051 |
| Mid-March employees | 49,196 | 1,012,250 |
| Annual payroll | $5,384,042,000 | $125,775,835,000 |
| Employees per establishment | 16.6 | 14.9 |
| Payroll per employee | $109,441 | $124,254 |
| Establishments per 100,000 residents | 31.2 | 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.
Where custom computer programming services firms in New Jersey are concentrated
Census published custom software firm counts for 5 metro or micropolitan areas that include part of New Jersey. The largest is New York, NY-NJ, with 5,121 establishments (a multi-state area; its count covers every state it spans). Single-state metro and micropolitan areas account for 7.9% of the statewide total; the rest are outside any published area or in areas Census suppressed.
| Area | Establishments | Employees | Per 100k residents |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York, NY-NJ | 5,121 | 78,654 | 25.7 |
| Philadelphia, PA-NJ-DE-MD | 1,765 | 20,385 | 27.9 |
| Trenton, NJ | 209 | 2,966 | 53.3 |
| Allentown, PA-NJ | 98 | — | 11.1 |
| Atlantic City, NJ | 26 | 490 | 7.0 |
Source: Census County Business Patterns 2023; population from Census Vintage 2024 estimates.
Team sizes at custom computer programming services firms in New Jersey
69.1% of New Jersey's custom computer programming services firms with employees had fewer than five people in March 2023, compared with 72.0% nationally. 78.7% 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 | 2,049 | 69.1% | 72.0% |
| 5–9 employees | 285 | 9.6% | 10.1% |
| 10–19 employees | 203 | 6.8% | 7.0% |
| 20–49 employees | 257 | 8.7% | 5.9% |
| 50 or more employees | 171 | 5.8% | 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.
Why the phone matters for custom computer programming services firms in New Jersey
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. That holds for custom computer programming services firms in New Jersey as much as anywhere.
Typical inbound and outbound calls for custom computer programming services firms in New Jersey:
- A client calls to report a bug in production.
- A prospect calls to discuss a new app project.
- The firm calls a client to review a milestone.
Texting clients
Firms text release notices and meeting reminders.
Texting from a local number in New Jersey requires carrier registration (10DLC), a one-time $49 fee on Callata.
Phone system pricing for a 17-person custom software firm
Custom computer programming services firms in New Jersey average 16.6 employees, so the comparison uses a 17-person team. Priced per seat, 17 users would run $510.00 a month on RingCentral RingEX Core and $424.15 on Ooma Office Pro (month-to-month list prices, checked September 28, 2026). Callata comes to $339.00 a month for 17 users ($99 a month with 5 users included, then $20 per additional user), below both.
Over a year, that is $2,052 less than RingCentral for a custom software firm in New Jersey 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 | $339.00 | $4,068.00 |
| Quo (Starter) | $19.00 per user | $323.00 | $3,876.00 |
| Nextiva (Core) | $23.00 per user | $391.00 | $4,692.00 |
| Ooma (Office Pro) | $24.95 per user | $424.15 | $5,089.80 |
| Dialpad (Standard) | $27.00 per user | $459.00 | $5,508.00 |
| RingCentral (RingEX Core) | $30.00 per user | $510.00 | $6,120.00 |
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 New Jersey
New Jersey has 10 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 609 | 780 | Eastern | 1957 | 640 |
| 732 | 780 | Eastern | 1997 | 848 |
| 201 | 779 | Eastern | 1947 | 551 |
| 973 | 779 | Eastern | 1997 | 862 |
| 908 | 722 | Eastern | 1990 | none |
| 856 | 676 | Eastern | 1999 | none |
| 862 | 390 | Eastern | 2001 | 973 |
| 551 | 301 | Eastern | 2001 | 201 |
| 848 | 289 | Eastern | 2001 | 732 |
| 640 | 132 | Eastern | 2018 | 609 |
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 New Jersey
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 New Jersey 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 New Jersey?
2,965 in 2023, according to Census County Business Patterns. They employed 49,196 people in mid-March.
Which New Jersey metro area has the most custom computer programming services firms?
New York, NY-NJ, with 5,121 establishments in 2023.
What does a phone system cost a 17-person custom software firm?
$510.00 a month on RingCentral RingEX Core or $424.15 on Ooma Office Pro at month-to-month list prices (checked September 28, 2026); $339.00 on Callata ($99 a month with 5 users included, then $20 per additional user).
Do I need to register to text customers from a New Jersey 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.