CallataGuidesBusiness phone system for testing laboratories in Memphis, TN-MS-AR
Testing laboratories in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area: 20 establishments in 2023, the local area codes, and what phone service costs a 41-person team.
- Establishments
- 20CBP 2023
- Employees
- 810mid-March 2023
- Per 100k residents
- 1.5U.S. 2.2
- Rank
- 75th of 339areas by count
Testing laboratories in Memphis, TN-MS-AR by the numbers
The Census Bureau's 2023 County Business Patterns lists 20 establishments classified as Testing Laboratories (NAICS 541380) in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area. They employed 810 people in mid-March and paid $48.9 million in annual payroll. By establishment count the area is 75th out of 339 areas with published figures for testing laboratories.
Measured against its 1.3 million residents (2024 estimate), the area has 1.5 testing laboratories per 100,000 people; the U.S. rate is 2.2, so Memphis, TN-MS-AR is 31.9% below the national figure. The average establishment here has 40.5 employees, compared with 21.2 nationally. Payroll per employee comes to $60,373, 19.8% below the national $75,284.
| Measure | Memphis, TN-MS-AR | Tennessee | United States |
|---|---|---|---|
| Establishments | 20 | 98 | 7,463 |
| Mid-March employees | 810 | 2,867 | 158,265 |
| Annual payroll | $48,902,000 | $195,392,000 | $11,914,875,000 |
| Employees per establishment | 40.5 | 29.3 | 21.2 |
| Payroll per employee | $60,373 | $68,152 | $75,284 |
| Establishments per 100,000 residents | 1.5 | 1.4 | 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.
How big testing laboratories in Memphis, TN-MS-AR are
Of the testing laboratories in Memphis, TN-MS-AR that had employees in March 2023, 37.5% had fewer than five (the U.S. share is 42.7%). 68.8% had fewer than ten. Small teams usually share the phone: the person who answers is often also serving a customer or doing the job, which is when calls get missed.
| Employment size | Establishments | Share | U.S. share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1–4 employees | 6 | 37.5% | 42.7% |
| 5–9 employees | 5 | 31.3% | 18.9% |
| 10–19 employees | 5 | 31.3% | 17.1% |
| 20–49 employees | not published | — | 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 Memphis, TN-MS-AR 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 Memphis, TN-MS-AR as much as anywhere.
A few of the calls that come in to testing laboratories in Memphis, TN-MS-AR:
- A homeowner calls about water testing.
- The lab calls a client about a sample issue.
- A manufacturer calls about certification testing.
What testing laboratories text about
Labs text sample receipt and results-ready notices.
Texts sent from a local business number in Memphis, TN-MS-AR 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.
What a phone system costs a testing laboratory in Memphis, TN-MS-AR
The average testing laboratory in Memphis, TN-MS-AR has 40.5 employees, so a 41-person team is a reasonable benchmark. On a per-user plan that headcount sets the bill: $1,022.95 a month on Ooma Office Pro or $1,230.00 on RingCentral RingEX Core at list price (checked September 28, 2026). Callata comes to $819.00 a month for 41 users ($99 a month with 5 users included, then $20 per additional user), below both.
Over a year, that is $4,932 less than RingCentral for a testing laboratory in Memphis, TN-MS-AR 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 | $819.00 | $9,828.00 |
| Quo (Starter) | $19.00 per user | $779.00 | $9,348.00 |
| Nextiva (Core) | $23.00 per user | $943.00 | $11,316.00 |
| Ooma (Office Pro) | $24.95 per user | $1,022.95 | $12,275.40 |
| Dialpad (Standard) | $27.00 per user | $1,107.00 | $13,284.00 |
| RingCentral (RingEX Core) | $30.00 per user | $1,230.00 | $14,760.00 |
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.
Which area code to use in Memphis, TN-MS-AR
NANPA records place the exchanges of the area's named cities and towns in 4 area codes. 901 has the most, with 606 of 709 exchanges (85%). A local number lets clients in Memphis, TN-MS-AR 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 901 | 606 | Central | 1947 | none |
| 662 | 79 | Central | 1999 | 471 |
| 870 | 22 | Central | 1997 | 327 |
| 327 | 2 | Central | 2024 | 870 |
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 testing laboratories
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 Memphis, TN-MS-AR 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 Memphis, TN-MS-AR?
Census County Business Patterns counted 20 testing laboratories in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area in 2023. They employed 810 people in mid-March.
What does a business phone system cost for a 41-person testing laboratory?
At month-to-month list prices checked September 28, 2026, 41 users cost $1,230.00 a month on RingCentral RingEX Core and $1,022.95 on Ooma Office Pro. On Callata, $99 a month with 5 users included, then $20 per additional user, the same team pays $819.00.
What area code should a testing laboratory in Memphis, TN-MS-AR use?
Area code 901 has the most assigned exchanges among the area's named places, followed by 662 and 870. 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.