CallataGuidesBusiness phone system for temporary help services in Michigan
2,780 temporary help services operated in Michigan in 2023. Where they are, how big their teams are, and what phone service costs them.
- Establishments
- 2,780CBP 2023
- Employees
- 143,666mid-March 2023
- Per 100k residents
- 27.4U.S. 11.2
- State rank
- 3rd of 51by count
How many temporary help services operate in Michigan
Michigan had 2,780 temporary help services in 2023, according to Census County Business Patterns (NAICS 561320, Temporary Help Services). They employed 143,666 people in mid-March and reported $5.3 billion in annual payroll. That is the 3rd highest count among the 51 states and DC with published figures. Temporary help services make up 1.2% of the 229,564 business establishments in the state.
Per 100,000 residents (2024 estimate) Michigan has 27.4 temporary help services, 143.7% above the national rate of 11.2. The average establishment has 51.7 employees against 95.3 nationally. Payroll per employee is $37,002, 23.9% below the U.S. figure of $48,635.
| Measure | Michigan | United States |
|---|---|---|
| Establishments | 2,780 | 38,254 |
| Mid-March employees | 143,666 | 3,645,678 |
| Annual payroll | $5,315,897,000 | $177,308,415,000 |
| Employees per establishment | 51.7 | 95.3 |
| Payroll per employee | $37,002 | $48,635 |
| Establishments per 100,000 residents | 27.4 | 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.
Where temporary help services in Michigan are concentrated
Census published temporary staffing agency counts for 28 metro or micropolitan areas that include part of Michigan. The largest is Detroit, MI, with 782 establishments. Single-state metro and micropolitan areas account for 45% of the statewide total; the rest are outside any published area or in areas Census suppressed.
| Area | Establishments | Employees | Per 100k residents |
|---|---|---|---|
| Detroit, MI | 782 | 29,598 | 17.8 |
| Grand Rapids, MI | 132 | 8,912 | 11.2 |
| Lansing, MI | 72 | 2,066 | 15.0 |
| Flint, MI | 39 | 2,024 | 9.7 |
| Kalamazoo, MI | 34 | 1,497 | 12.8 |
| Ann Arbor, MI | 32 | 1,796 | 8.6 |
| South Bend, IN-MI | 25 | 841 | 7.7 |
| Midland, MI | 21 | — | 25.0 |
| Muskegon, MI | 16 | — | 9.0 |
| Saginaw, MI | 14 | 866 | 7.5 |
| Niles, MI | 12 | — | 7.9 |
| Holland, MI | 11 | 293 | 9.0 |
| Battle Creek, MI | 10 | 858 | 7.5 |
| Monroe, MI | 8 | 960 | 5.1 |
| Marinette, WI-MI | 8 | 229 | 12.2 |
| Traverse City, MI | 7 | 124 | 4.5 |
| Cadillac, MI | 7 | — | 14.1 |
| Jackson, MI | 6 | — | 3.7 |
| Adrian, MI | 5 | — | 5.1 |
| Marquette, MI | 5 | — | 7.4 |
| Sturgis, MI | 5 | 183 | 8.2 |
| Coldwater, MI | 5 | 137 | 10.8 |
| Petoskey, MI | 5 | 256 | 14.7 |
| Ludington, MI | 5 | — | 17.2 |
| Bay City, MI | 4 | — | 3.9 |
Top 25 of 28 areas by establishments. Source: Census CBP 2023.
Team sizes at temporary help services in Michigan
57.4% of Michigan's temporary help services with employees had fewer than five people in March 2023, compared with 37.2% nationally. 67.3% 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 | 1,595 | 57.4% | 37.2% |
| 5–9 employees | 276 | 9.9% | 8.7% |
| 10–19 employees | 208 | 7.5% | 8.7% |
| 20–49 employees | 270 | 9.7% | 14.7% |
| 50 or more employees | 431 | 15.5% | 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 Michigan 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.
A few of the calls that come in to temporary help services in Michigan:
- A worker calls about a paycheck.
- A worker calls out sick before a shift.
- A client calls for extra workers tomorrow.
Business texting for temporary help services
Agencies text shift offers and confirmations to workers who opted in.
Texting from a local number in Michigan requires carrier registration (10DLC), a one-time $49 fee on Callata.
Phone system pricing for a 52-person temporary staffing agency
Temporary help services in Michigan average 51.7 employees, so the comparison uses a 52-person team. Per-seat business phone plans bill every one of those people. At month-to-month list prices checked September 28, 2026, 52 users on RingCentral RingEX Core cost $1,560.00 a month and 52 on Ooma Office Pro cost $1,297.40. Callata comes to $1,039.00 a month for 52 users ($99 a month with 5 users included, then $20 per additional user), below both.
Over a year, that is $6,252 less than RingCentral for a temporary staffing agency in Michigan 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 | $1,039.00 | $12,468.00 |
| Quo (Starter) | $19.00 per user | $988.00 | $11,856.00 |
| Nextiva (Core) | $23.00 per user | $1,196.00 | $14,352.00 |
| Ooma (Office Pro) | $24.95 per user | $1,297.40 | $15,568.80 |
| Dialpad (Standard) | $27.00 per user | $1,404.00 | $16,848.00 |
| RingCentral (RingEX Core) | $30.00 per user | $1,560.00 | $18,720.00 |
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 Michigan
Michigan has 13 geographic area codes in service according to NANPA. Callata includes up to 3 local numbers, so a temporary staffing agency can hold a number in more than one of them.
| Area code | Exchanges | Time zone | In service since | Overlay with |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 248 | 784 | Eastern | 1997 | 947 |
| 313 | 769 | Eastern | 1947 | 679 |
| 989 | 724 | Eastern | 2001 | none |
| 734 | 701 | Eastern | 1997 | 679 |
| 517 | 616 | Eastern | 1947 | none |
| 231 | 572 | Eastern | 1999 | none |
| 586 | 546 | Eastern | 2001 | none |
| 269 | 545 | Eastern | 2002 | none |
| 616 | 545 | Eastern | 1947 | none |
| 810 | 509 | Eastern | 1993 | none |
| 906 | 360 | Eastern and Central | 1961 | none |
| 947 | 211 | Eastern | 2002 | 248 |
| 679 | 0 | Eastern | 2025 | 313 |
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 in Michigan
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 Michigan 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 in Michigan?
2,780 in 2023, according to Census County Business Patterns. They employed 143,666 people in mid-March.
Which Michigan metro area has the most temporary help services?
Detroit, MI, with 782 establishments in 2023.
What does a phone system cost a 52-person temporary staffing agency?
$1,560.00 a month on RingCentral RingEX Core or $1,297.40 on Ooma Office Pro at month-to-month list prices (checked September 28, 2026); $1,039.00 on Callata ($99 a month with 5 users included, then $20 per additional user).
Do I need to register to text customers from a Michigan 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.