CallataGuidesBusiness phone system for temporary help services in Columbus, OH
Temporary help services in the Columbus, OH metro area: 321 establishments in 2023, the local area codes, and what phone service costs a 67-person team.
- Establishments
- 321CBP 2023
- Employees
- 21,517mid-March 2023
- Per 100k residents
- 14.4U.S. 11.2
- Rank
- 24th of 637areas by count
How many temporary help services are in Columbus, OH?
The Census Bureau's 2023 County Business Patterns lists 321 establishments classified as Temporary Help Services (NAICS 561320) in the Columbus, OH metro area. They employed 21,517 people in mid-March and paid $930.4 million in annual payroll. By establishment count the area is 24th out of 637 areas with published figures for temporary help services.
Measured against its 2.2 million residents (2024 estimate), the area has 14.4 temporary help services per 100,000 people; the U.S. rate is 11.2, so Columbus, OH is 28.2% above the national figure. The average establishment here has 67.0 employees, compared with 95.3 nationally. Payroll per employee comes to $43,241, 11.1% below the national $48,635.
| Measure | Columbus, OH | Ohio | United States |
|---|---|---|---|
| Establishments | 321 | 1,401 | 38,254 |
| Mid-March employees | 21,517 (moderate noise) | 134,097 | 3,645,678 |
| Annual payroll | $930,415,000 | $5,427,702,000 | $177,308,415,000 |
| Employees per establishment | 67.0 | 95.7 | 95.3 |
| Payroll per employee | $43,241 | $40,476 | $48,635 |
| Establishments per 100,000 residents | 14.4 | 11.8 | 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.
How big temporary help services in Columbus, OH are
Of the temporary help services in Columbus, OH that had employees in March 2023, 32.9% had fewer than five (the U.S. share is 37.2%). 40.4% 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 | 105 | 32.9% | 37.2% |
| 5–9 employees | 24 | 7.5% | 8.7% |
| 10–19 employees | 18 | 5.6% | 8.7% |
| 20–49 employees | 47 | 14.7% | 14.7% |
| 50 or more employees | 125 | 39.2% | 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.
Calls a temporary staffing agency in Columbus, OH has to catch
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. That holds for temporary help services in Columbus, OH as much as anywhere.
A few of the calls that come in to temporary help services in Columbus, OH:
- The agency calls workers about open shifts.
- A worker calls out sick before a shift.
- A worker calls about a paycheck.
Business texting for temporary help services
Agencies text shift offers and confirmations to workers who opted in.
Because carriers require registration for business texting from local numbers, Callata files a 10DLC registration for a one-time $49; after approval, anyone on the team can reply from the business number.
What a phone system costs a temporary staffing agency in Columbus, OH
The average temporary staffing agency in Columbus, OH has 67.0 employees, so a 67-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, 67 users on RingCentral RingEX Core cost $2,010.00 a month and 67 on Ooma Office Pro cost $1,671.65. Callata comes to $1,339.00 a month for 67 users ($99 a month with 5 users included, then $20 per additional user), below both.
Over a year, that is $8,052 less than RingCentral for a temporary staffing agency in Columbus, OH 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 | $1,339.00 | $16,068.00 |
| Quo (Starter) | $19.00 per user | $1,273.00 | $15,276.00 |
| Nextiva (Core) | $23.00 per user | $1,541.00 | $18,492.00 |
| Ooma (Office Pro) | $24.95 per user | $1,671.65 | $20,059.80 |
| Dialpad (Standard) | $27.00 per user | $1,809.00 | $21,708.00 |
| RingCentral (RingEX Core) | $30.00 per user | $2,010.00 | $24,120.00 |
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.
Getting a local number in Columbus, OH
NANPA records place the exchanges of the area's named cities and towns in 8 area codes. 614 has the most, with 707 of 1,164 exchanges (61%). A local number lets workers and clients in Columbus, OH 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 614 | 707 | Eastern | 1947 | 380 |
| 740 | 223 | Eastern | 1997 | 220 |
| 380 | 128 | Eastern | 2016 | 614 |
| 220 | 42 | Eastern | 2015 | 740 |
| 937 | 31 | Eastern | 1996 | 326 |
| 567 | 13 | Eastern | 2002 | 419 |
| 419 | 12 | Eastern | 1947 | 567 |
| 330 | 8 | Eastern | 1996 | 234 |
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 is a business phone system priced at $99 a month with 5 users included, then $20 per additional user. Callata Office includes up to 3 local business numbers, unlimited inbound calling, 1,500 pooled outbound US and Canada minutes per user each month, a browser softphone that can also ring your cell, voicemail with transcription, call recording with AI summaries, business-hours routing and E911 on every number.
Porting a number you already use in Columbus, OH 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 Columbus, OH?
Census County Business Patterns counted 321 temporary help services in the Columbus, OH metro area in 2023. They employed 21,517 people in mid-March.
What does a business phone system cost for a 67-person temporary staffing agency?
At month-to-month list prices checked September 28, 2026, 67 users cost $2,010.00 a month on RingCentral RingEX Core and $1,671.65 on Ooma Office Pro. On Callata, $99 a month with 5 users included, then $20 per additional user, the same team pays $1,339.00.
What area code should a temporary staffing agency in Columbus, OH use?
Area code 614 has the most assigned exchanges among the area's named places, followed by 740 and 380. 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.