CallataGuidesBusiness phone system for testing laboratories in Lake Charles, LA
Testing laboratories in the Lake Charles, LA metro area: 16 establishments in 2023, the local area codes, and what phone service costs a 46-person team.
- Establishments
- 16CBP 2023
- Employees
- 734mid-March 2023
- Per 100k residents
- 6.6U.S. 2.2
- Rank
- 88th of 339areas by count
The testing laboratory market in Lake Charles, LA
The Census Bureau's 2023 County Business Patterns lists 16 establishments classified as Testing Laboratories (NAICS 541380) in the Lake Charles, LA metro area. They employed 734 people in mid-March and paid $61.6 million in annual payroll. By establishment count the area is 88th out of 339 areas with published figures for testing laboratories.
Measured against its 243,000 residents (2024 estimate), the area has 6.6 testing laboratories per 100,000 people; the U.S. rate is 2.2, so Lake Charles, LA is 200.1% above the national figure. The average establishment here has 45.9 employees, compared with 21.2 nationally. Payroll per employee comes to $83,929, 11.5% above the national $75,284.
| Measure | Lake Charles, LA | Louisiana | United States |
|---|---|---|---|
| Establishments | 16 | 203 | 7,463 |
| Mid-March employees | 734 | 5,638 | 158,265 |
| Annual payroll | $61,604,000 | $450,753,000 | $11,914,875,000 |
| Employees per establishment | 45.9 | 27.8 | 21.2 |
| Payroll per employee | $83,929 | $79,949 | $75,284 |
| Establishments per 100,000 residents | 6.6 | 4.4 | 2.2 |
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: testing laboratories in Lake Charles, LA
Of the testing laboratories in Lake Charles, LA that had employees in March 2023, 33.3% had fewer than five (the U.S. share is 42.7%). 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 | 4 | 33.3% | 42.7% |
| 5–9 employees | not published | — | 18.9% |
| 10–19 employees | 5 | 41.7% | 17.1% |
| 20–49 employees | 3 | 25.0% | 12.8% |
| 50 or more employees | 0 | 0.0% | 8.6% |
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 testing laboratory in Lake Charles, LA has to catch
Testing labs serve contractors, manufacturers and property owners who need results on a schedule. Calls about sample drop-off, turnaround and results need quick routing. That holds for testing laboratories in Lake Charles, LA as much as anywhere.
A few of the calls that come in to testing laboratories in Lake Charles, LA:
- A contractor calls to schedule material testing.
- The lab calls a client about a sample issue.
- A client calls about results.
What testing laboratories text about
Labs text sample receipt and results-ready notices.
Texts sent from a local business number in Lake Charles, LA have to be registered with carriers first (10DLC); on Callata that is a one-time $49 fee, after which the whole team can text from the shared number.
Phone system pricing for a 46-person testing laboratory
The average testing laboratory in Lake Charles, LA has 45.9 employees, so a 46-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, 46 users on RingCentral RingEX Core cost $1,380.00 a month and 46 on Ooma Office Pro cost $1,147.70. Callata comes to $919.00 a month for 46 users ($99 a month with 5 users included, then $20 per additional user), below both.
Over a year, that is $5,532 less than RingCentral for a testing laboratory in Lake Charles, LA 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 | $919.00 | $11,028.00 |
| Quo (Starter) | $19.00 per user | $874.00 | $10,488.00 |
| Nextiva (Core) | $23.00 per user | $1,058.00 | $12,696.00 |
| Ooma (Office Pro) | $24.95 per user | $1,147.70 | $13,772.40 |
| Dialpad (Standard) | $27.00 per user | $1,242.00 | $14,904.00 |
| RingCentral (RingEX Core) | $30.00 per user | $1,380.00 | $16,560.00 |
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.
Local area codes for testing laboratories in Lake Charles, LA
The exchanges in the area's named cities and towns are all in area code 337 (131 exchanges in NANPA's file). A local number lets clients in Lake Charles, LA 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 337 | 131 | Central | 1999 | none |
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.
Setting up Callata for a testing laboratory in Lake Charles, LA
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 Lake Charles, LA 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 testing laboratories are there in Lake Charles, LA?
Census County Business Patterns counted 16 testing laboratories in the Lake Charles, LA metro area in 2023. They employed 734 people in mid-March.
What does a business phone system cost for a 46-person testing laboratory?
At month-to-month list prices checked September 28, 2026, 46 users cost $1,380.00 a month on RingCentral RingEX Core and $1,147.70 on Ooma Office Pro. On Callata, $99 a month with 5 users included, then $20 per additional user, the same team pays $919.00.
What area code should a testing laboratory in Lake Charles, LA use?
Area code 337 has the most assigned exchanges among the area's named places. If you already have a local number, you can port it to Callata for free.
Can an AI receptionist answer calls for a testing laboratory?
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.