Business phone system for testing laboratories in Pennsylvania
282 testing laboratories operated in Pennsylvania in 2023. Where they are, how big their teams are, and what phone service costs them.
- Establishments
- 282CBP 2023
- Employees
- 10,907mid-March 2023
- Per 100k residents
- 2.2U.S. 2.2
- State rank
- 6th of 51by count
The testing laboratory industry in Pennsylvania
County Business Patterns counts 282 establishments in Pennsylvania classified as Testing Laboratories (NAICS 541380) for 2023. They employed 10,907 people in mid-March and reported $684.7 million in annual payroll. That is the 6th highest count among the 51 states and DC with published figures. Testing laboratories make up 0.09% of the 307,065 business establishments in the state.
Per 100,000 residents (2024 estimate) Pennsylvania has 2.2 testing laboratories, in line with the national rate of 2.2. The average establishment has 38.7 employees against 21.2 nationally. Payroll per employee is $62,778, 16.6% below the U.S. figure of $75,284.
| Measure | Pennsylvania | United States |
|---|---|---|
| Establishments | 282 | 7,463 |
| Mid-March employees | 10,907 (moderate noise) | 158,265 |
| Annual payroll | $684,718,000 (moderate noise) | $11,914,875,000 |
| Employees per establishment | 38.7 | 21.2 |
| Payroll per employee | $62,778 | $75,284 |
| Establishments per 100,000 residents | 2.2 | 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.
Testing laboratories by metro area in Pennsylvania
Census published testing laboratory counts for 17 metro or micropolitan areas that include part of Pennsylvania. The largest is Philadelphia, PA-NJ-DE-MD, with 113 establishments (a multi-state area; its count covers every state it spans). Single-state metro and micropolitan areas account for 59% of the statewide total; the rest are outside any published area or in areas Census suppressed.
| Area | Establishments | Employees | Per 100k residents |
|---|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia, PA-NJ-DE-MD | 113 | 3,334 | 1.8 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | 69 | 1,745 | 2.8 |
| Allentown, PA-NJ | 23 | 413 | 2.6 |
| Harrisburg, PA | 17 | 356 | 2.8 |
| York, PA | 14 | 523 | 3.0 |
| Lancaster, PA | 13 | — | 2.3 |
| Scranton, PA | 11 | 219 | 1.9 |
| Reading, PA | 10 | — | 2.3 |
| Altoona, PA | 5 | — | 4.2 |
| St. Marys, PA | 5 | — | 16.6 |
| Erie, PA | 4 | — | 1.5 |
| Chambersburg, PA | 3 | — | 1.9 |
| Johnstown, PA | 3 | 46 | 2.3 |
| Williamsport, PA | 3 | 56 | 2.6 |
| Sunbury, PA | 3 | — | 2.8 |
| Gettysburg, PA | 3 | 21 | 2.8 |
| Bloomsburg, PA | 3 | — | 4.5 |
Source: Census County Business Patterns 2023; population from Census Vintage 2024 estimates.
Team sizes at testing laboratories in Pennsylvania
38.8% of Pennsylvania's testing laboratories with employees had fewer than five people in March 2023, compared with 42.7% nationally. 56.1% 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 | 108 | 38.8% | 42.7% |
| 5–9 employees | 48 | 17.3% | 18.9% |
| 10–19 employees | 46 | 16.5% | 17.1% |
| 20–49 employees | 42 | 15.1% | 12.8% |
| 50 or more employees | 34 | 12.2% | 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.
What testing laboratories in Pennsylvania use the phone for
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.
Calls a testing laboratory in Pennsylvania might handle in a typical week include:
- A contractor calls to schedule material testing.
- A homeowner calls about water testing.
- A manufacturer calls about certification testing.
What testing laboratories text about
Labs text sample receipt and results-ready notices.
Texting from a local number in Pennsylvania requires carrier registration (10DLC), a one-time $49 fee on Callata.
Callata vs. per-seat pricing for testing laboratories in Pennsylvania
Testing laboratories in Pennsylvania average 38.7 employees, so the comparison uses a 39-person team. Per-seat business phone plans bill every one of those people. At month-to-month list prices checked September 28, 2026, 39 users on RingCentral RingEX Core cost $1,170.00 a month and 39 on Ooma Office Pro cost $973.05. Callata comes to $779.00 a month for 39 users ($99 a month with 5 users included, then $20 per additional user), below both.
Over a year, that is $4,692 less than RingCentral for a testing laboratory in Pennsylvania 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 | $779.00 | $9,348.00 |
| Quo (Starter) | $19.00 per user | $741.00 | $8,892.00 |
| Nextiva (Core) | $23.00 per user | $897.00 | $10,764.00 |
| Ooma (Office Pro) | $24.95 per user | $973.05 | $11,676.60 |
| Dialpad (Standard) | $27.00 per user | $1,053.00 | $12,636.00 |
| RingCentral (RingEX Core) | $30.00 per user | $1,170.00 | $14,040.00 |
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 Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania has 15 geographic area codes in service according to NANPA. Callata includes up to 3 local numbers, so a testing laboratory can hold a number in more than one of them.
| Area code | Exchanges | Time zone | In service since | Overlay with |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 267 | 786 | Eastern | 1999 | 215, 445 |
| 484 | 786 | Eastern | 1999 | 610, 835 |
| 717 | 784 | Eastern | 1947 | 223 |
| 814 | 784 | Eastern | 1947 | 582 |
| 215 | 783 | Eastern | 1947 | 267, 445 |
| 724 | 783 | Eastern | 1998 | 878 |
| 570 | 782 | Eastern | 1998 | 272 |
| 610 | 782 | Eastern | 1994 | 484, 835 |
| 412 | 762 | Eastern | 1947 | 878 |
| 272 | 336 | Eastern | 2013 | 570 |
| 223 | 252 | Eastern | 2017 | 717 |
| 878 | 190 | Eastern | 2001 | 412, 724 |
| 445 | 183 | Eastern | 2018 | 215, 267 |
| 582 | 154 | Eastern | 2021 | 814 |
| 835 | 109 | Eastern | 2022 | 484, 610 |
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 in Pennsylvania
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 Pennsylvania 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 in Pennsylvania?
282 in 2023, according to Census County Business Patterns. They employed 10,907 people in mid-March.
Which Pennsylvania metro area has the most testing laboratories?
Philadelphia, PA-NJ-DE-MD, with 113 establishments in 2023.
What does a phone system cost a 39-person testing laboratory?
$1,170.00 a month on RingCentral RingEX Core or $973.05 on Ooma Office Pro at month-to-month list prices (checked September 28, 2026); $779.00 on Callata ($99 a month with 5 users included, then $20 per additional user).
Do I need to register to text customers from a Pennsylvania 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.