CallataGuidesBusiness phone system for temporary help services in Chicago, IL-IN
Temporary help services in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area: 1,071 establishments in 2023, the local area codes, and what phone service costs a 71-person team.
- Establishments
- 1,071CBP 2023
- Employees
- 75,536mid-March 2023
- Per 100k residents
- 11.4U.S. 11.2
- Rank
- 4th of 637areas by count
Temporary help services in Chicago, IL-IN by the numbers
There were 1,071 temporary help services in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area in 2023, according to Census County Business Patterns (NAICS 561320, Temporary Help Services). They employed 75,536 people in mid-March and paid $3.4 billion in annual payroll. By establishment count the area is 4th out of 637 areas with published figures for temporary help services.
Measured against its 9.4 million residents (2024 estimate), the area has 11.4 temporary help services per 100,000 people; the U.S. rate is 11.2, so Chicago, IL-IN is in line with the national figure. The average establishment here has 70.5 employees, compared with 95.3 nationally. Payroll per employee comes to $44,514, 8.5% below the national $48,635.
| Measure | Chicago, IL-IN | Illinois | United States |
|---|---|---|---|
| Establishments | 1,071 | 1,511 | 38,254 |
| Mid-March employees | 75,536 | 195,433 | 3,645,678 |
| Annual payroll | $3,362,383,000 | $7,858,141,000 | $177,308,415,000 |
| Employees per establishment | 70.5 | 129.3 | 95.3 |
| Payroll per employee | $44,514 | $40,209 | $48,635 |
| Establishments per 100,000 residents | 11.4 | 11.9 | 11.2 |
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.
Establishment size: temporary help services in Chicago, IL-IN
Of the temporary help services in Chicago, IL-IN that had employees in March 2023, 34.0% had fewer than five (the U.S. share is 37.2%). 41.2% 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 | 364 | 34.0% | 37.2% |
| 5–9 employees | 77 | 7.2% | 8.7% |
| 10–19 employees | 98 | 9.2% | 8.7% |
| 20–49 employees | 154 | 14.4% | 14.7% |
| 50 or more employees | 378 | 35.3% | 30.7% |
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 temporary help services in Chicago, IL-IN use the phone for
Staffing agencies fill shifts on short notice, so the phone is constantly in use with workers and clients. Early-morning call-outs require quick action.
Calls a temporary staffing agency in Chicago, IL-IN might handle in a typical week include:
- A client calls for extra workers tomorrow.
- A worker calls out sick before a shift.
- A client calls about a timesheet.
Business texting for temporary help services
Agencies text shift offers and confirmations to workers who opted in.
Team texting on Callata runs from your business number, so replies come from the practice or shop rather than someone's personal phone. It turns on after the one-time $49 carrier registration (10DLC) is approved.
What a phone system costs a temporary staffing agency in Chicago, IL-IN
The average temporary staffing agency in Chicago, IL-IN has 70.5 employees, so a 71-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, 71 users on RingCentral RingEX Core cost $2,130.00 a month and 71 on Ooma Office Pro cost $1,771.45. Callata comes to $1,419.00 a month for 71 users ($99 a month with 5 users included, then $20 per additional user), below both.
Over a year, that is $8,532 less than RingCentral for a temporary staffing agency 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 | $1,419.00 | $17,028.00 |
| Quo (Starter) | $19.00 per user | $1,349.00 | $16,188.00 |
| Nextiva (Core) | $23.00 per user | $1,633.00 | $19,596.00 |
| Ooma (Office Pro) | $24.95 per user | $1,771.45 | $21,257.40 |
| Dialpad (Standard) | $27.00 per user | $1,917.00 | $23,004.00 |
| RingCentral (RingEX Core) | $30.00 per user | $2,130.00 | $25,560.00 |
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.
Getting a local number 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 workers and clients 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.
How Callata works for temporary help services
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 temporary help services are there in Chicago, IL-IN?
Census County Business Patterns counted 1,071 temporary help services in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area in 2023. They employed 75,536 people in mid-March.
What does a business phone system cost for a 71-person temporary staffing agency?
At month-to-month list prices checked September 28, 2026, 71 users cost $2,130.00 a month on RingCentral RingEX Core and $1,771.45 on Ooma Office Pro. On Callata, $99 a month with 5 users included, then $20 per additional user, the same team pays $1,419.00.
What area code should a temporary staffing agency 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 temporary staffing agency?
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.