CallataGuidesBusiness phone system for solid waste collection companies in Columbia, SC
Solid waste collection companies in the Columbia, SC metro area: 26 establishments in 2023, the local area codes, and what phone service costs a 27-person team.
- Establishments
- 26CBP 2023
- Employees
- 705mid-March 2023
- Per 100k residents
- 3.0U.S. 3.2
- Rank
- 72nd of 564areas by count
How many solid waste collection companies are in Columbia, SC?
There were 26 solid waste collection companies in the Columbia, SC metro area in 2023, according to Census County Business Patterns (NAICS 562111, Solid Waste Collection). They employed 705 people in mid-March and paid $42.5 million in annual payroll. By establishment count the area is 72nd out of 564 areas with published figures for solid waste collection companies.
Measured against its 870,000 residents (2024 estimate), the area has 3.0 solid waste collection companies per 100,000 people; the U.S. rate is 3.2, so Columbia, SC is 7.5% below the national figure. The average establishment here has 27.1 employees, compared with 21.7 nationally. Payroll per employee comes to $60,214, 14.5% below the national $70,390.
| Measure | Columbia, SC | South Carolina | United States |
|---|---|---|---|
| Establishments | 26 | 191 | 10,982 |
| Mid-March employees | 705 (moderate noise) | 3,554 (moderate noise) | 238,764 |
| Annual payroll | $42,451,000 (moderate noise) | $234,238,000 | $16,806,608,000 |
| Employees per establishment | 27.1 | 18.6 | 21.7 |
| Payroll per employee | $60,214 | $65,908 | $70,390 |
| Establishments per 100,000 residents | 3.0 | 3.5 | 3.2 |
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.
Team sizes at solid waste collection companies in Columbia, SC
Of the solid waste collection companies in Columbia, SC that had employees in March 2023, 34.8% had fewer than five (the U.S. share is 43.6%). 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 | 8 | 34.8% | 43.6% |
| 5–9 employees | not published | — | 17.8% |
| 10–19 employees | 7 | 30.4% | 14.5% |
| 20–49 employees | 4 | 17.4% | 13.6% |
| 50 or more employees | 4 | 17.4% | 10.6% |
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 waste collection company in Columbia, SC has to catch
Waste haulers take calls about missed pickups, dumpster rentals and billing. Customers want quick answers when a pickup is missed. That holds for solid waste collection companies in Columbia, SC as much as anywhere.
A few of the calls that come in to solid waste collection companies in Columbia, SC:
- A customer calls about a billing question.
- A business calls about adding service.
- A customer calls about a missed pickup.
Business texting for solid waste collection companies
Haulers text schedule changes and delivery confirmations.
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 waste collection company in Columbia, SC
The average waste collection company in Columbia, SC has 27.1 employees, so a 27-person team is a reasonable benchmark. On a per-user plan that headcount sets the bill: $673.65 a month on Ooma Office Pro or $810.00 on RingCentral RingEX Core at list price (checked September 28, 2026). Callata comes to $539.00 a month for 27 users ($99 a month with 5 users included, then $20 per additional user), below both.
Over a year, that is $3,252 less than RingCentral for a waste collection company in Columbia, SC 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 | $539.00 | $6,468.00 |
| Quo (Starter) | $19.00 per user | $513.00 | $6,156.00 |
| Nextiva (Core) | $23.00 per user | $621.00 | $7,452.00 |
| Ooma (Office Pro) | $24.95 per user | $673.65 | $8,083.80 |
| Dialpad (Standard) | $27.00 per user | $729.00 | $8,748.00 |
| RingCentral (RingEX Core) | $30.00 per user | $810.00 | $9,720.00 |
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.
Getting a local number in Columbia, SC
NANPA records place the exchanges of the area's named cities and towns in 5 area codes. 803 has the most, with 324 of 372 exchanges (87%). A local number lets customers in Columbia, SC 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 803 | 324 | Eastern | 1947 | 839 |
| 839 | 43 | Eastern | 2020 | 803 |
| 864 | 3 | Eastern | 1995 | 821 |
| 843 | 1 | Eastern | 1998 | 854 |
| 854 | 1 | Eastern | 2015 | 843 |
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.
What solid waste collection companies in Columbia, SC get with Callata
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 Columbia, SC 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 solid waste collection companies are there in Columbia, SC?
Census County Business Patterns counted 26 solid waste collection companies in the Columbia, SC metro area in 2023. They employed 705 people in mid-March.
What does a business phone system cost for a 27-person waste collection company?
At month-to-month list prices checked September 28, 2026, 27 users cost $810.00 a month on RingCentral RingEX Core and $673.65 on Ooma Office Pro. On Callata, $99 a month with 5 users included, then $20 per additional user, the same team pays $539.00.
What area code should a waste collection company in Columbia, SC use?
Area code 803 has the most assigned exchanges among the area's named places, followed by 839 and 864. If you already have a local number, you can port it to Callata for free.
Can an AI receptionist answer calls for a waste collection company?
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.