For the more than 151 million Americans who spend much of their waking life at work — job satisfaction can be critical to overall happiness. Perhaps the most important component of job satisfaction is selecting a career that lines up with one’s interests and talents. After that, working for the right company can make all the difference.
While there are many online forums for American workers to voice their opinions about their current and former employers, such reviews are inherently subjective and often unsubstantiated by hard facts. To account for this shortcoming, career site Zippia created a formula to more objectively rank companies. The metrics used in Zippia’s ranking include average employee salary, company financial health, and diversity of the workforce. Here is Zippia’s full methodology.
Using Zippia, 24/7 Wall St. compiled a list of the best company to work for in each state. While many companies operate on a national an international scale, we ranked them by state in which they are headquartered. To provide additional insight, we also considered company reviews from current and former employees on websites such as Glassdoor — though those reviews were not a factor in the ranking. Data on revenue and employment came from corporate websites and SEC filings.
Because average pay was one of the components used in ranking these companies, many are relatively high paying and are in industries that tend to pay well. For example, several companies on this list are law firms. Others are in the finance sector. Some even rank among the highest paying companies in the country. Here is a look at America’s highest paying companies.
The companies on this list are often emblematic of their corresponding state economies. For example, several energy companies on this list are headquartered in states with massive resource extraction industries, like Texas and Wyoming. Here is a look at the largest industry in each state.
Click here to see the best company to work for in every state
Click here to read our methodology
1. Alabama
> Best company to work for: Regions Bank
> Employees: 19,969
> Founded: 1971
> Headquarters: Birmingham, AL
According to career site Zippia, Regions Bank is the best company to work for in Alabama. Regions employees give the company high marks for training, growth opportunities, and the long-term relationships it builds with its customers. The bank offers some employees competitive benefits, including 401(k), health insurance, disability, and tuition reimbursement.
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2. Alaska
> Best company to work for: ASRC Energy Services
> Employees: 2,250
> Founded: N/A
> Headquarters: Anchorage, AK
Alaska is one of the largest oil producers in the United States — and the best company to work for in the state is in oil and gas extraction. ASRC Energy Services does consulting and contracting for the oil and gas industry and has been the largest locally-owned and operated business in the state for over 30 years.
See all stories featuring: Alaska
3. Arizona
> Best company to work for: Meritage Homes
> Employees: 1,615
> Founded: 1997
> Headquarters: Scottsdale, AZ
Meritage Homes is a homebuilding company based in Scottsdale, Arizona, with operations in nine states across the southern United States. Meritage employees say they appreciate the good compensation, free meals, and company-sponsored events.
See all stories featuring: Arizona
4. Arkansas
> Best company to work for: Walmart
> Employees: 2.2 million
> Founded: 1962
> Headquarters: Bentonville, AR
Walmart has a footprint in every state, and with 2.2 million employees, it is the largest private employer in the country. Based in Bentonville, Arkansas, the company ranks as the best employer in the state. The company received high marks for the diversity of its workforce.
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5. California
> Best company to work for: Chevron
> Employees: 48,600
> Founded: 1879
> Headquarters: San Ramon, CA
San Ramon-based Chevron is one of several energy companies to rank on this list. Founded as an oil company in California, Chevron now has natural gas, shale, heavy oil, and conventional extraction operations on six continents.
See all stories featuring: California
6. Colorado
> Best company to work for: Woodward
> Employees: 9,023 (full time)
> Founded: 1870
> Headquarters: Fort Collins, CO
Woodward is a Fort Collins-based manufacturer and service provider for the aerospace industry. With a history in railroads and industrial part production, today, nearly all aircraft are built with Woodward-made parts. Employees at the company appreciate benefits like profit sharing and a flexible work schedule.
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7. Connecticut
> Best company to work for: Bridgewater Associates
> Employees: 1,700
> Founded: 1975
> Headquarters: Westport, CT
Bridgewater Associates, based in Westport, Connecticut, is the world’s largest hedge fund, managing $160 billion in assets, including pensions and university endowments. Bridgewater employees are well compensated, with the average annual salary just under $100,000.
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8. Delaware
> Best company to work for: AstraZeneca
> Employees: 64,600
> Founded: 1992
> Headquarters: Wilmington, DE
Pharmaceutical giant AstraZeneca, a British company with its U.S. headquarters in Wilmington, Delaware, ranks as the best company to work for in the state. In addition to a benefits package that includes a 401(k) match, AstraZeneca employees give the company high marks for compensation. The average salary at the company is over $88,000, well above the average at competitors like Pfizer and Merck. AstraZeneca employees also tend to stay with the company longer than the average tenure at many other competitors.
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9. Florida
> Best company to work for: Greenberg Traurig
> Employees: 3,500
> Founded: 1967
> Headquarters: Miami, FL
Greenberg Traurig is one of a few law firms to rank on this list. Though it is based in Miami, the firm is massive, employing 3,500 people in dozens of locations across four continents. The firm is recognized throughout the industry for the diversity of its partners and its philanthropy.
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10. Georgia
> Best company to work for: CNN
> Employees: 3,000
> Founded: 1980
> Headquarters: Atlanta, GA
Media giant CNN ranks as the best company to work for in Georgia. Headquartered in Atlanta, the cable news network’s reach is global — employing 3,000 people and broadcasting to 384 million households worldwide. Employee satisfaction at CNN is demonstrated by the nearly four-year average employee tenure, which is higher than the average tenure at competitors like Univision and PBS.
See all stories featuring: Georgia
11. Hawaii
> Best company to work for: Hawaiian Electric Industries
> Employees: 3,898
> Founded: 1891
> Headquarters: Honolulu, HI
The largest supplier of electricity in Hawaii, serving 95% of the state population, Hawaiian Electric Industries ranks as the best company to work at in the state. According to Zippia, the company receives high marks for the diversity of its workforce and the competitive salaries it pays.
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12. Idaho
> Best company to work for: Micron Technology
> Employees: 37,000
> Founded: 1978
> Headquarters: Boise, ID
Micron Technology makes computer memory and data storage hardware. Though it is based in Boise, Micron operates in 18 countries and has offices in California, Virginia, Minnesota, and Colorado.
See all stories featuring: Idaho
13. Illinois
> Best company to work for: Baker McKenzie
> Employees: 12,080
> Founded: 1949
> Headquarters: Chicago, IL
Baker McKenzie is a law firm that serves a range of industries, including finance, real estate, and private equity. It also claims to improve the well-being of the disadvantaged and underserved. The company receives high marks for diversity and pays relatively well, with 10% of employees making over $180,000 a year, and 90% earning over $44,000. Headquartered in Chicago, Baker McKenzie has 77 offices across 46 countries.
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14. Indiana
> Best company to work for: Eli Lilly and Co.
> Employees: 38,680
> Founded: 1876
> Headquarters: Indianapolis, IN
Pharmaceutical giant Eli Lilly ranks as the best company to work for in Indiana. Many Eli Lilly employees applaud the company for good benefits — which include health insurance, 401(k) match, bonus pay, and parental leave — work-life balance, and work environment.
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15. Iowa
> Best company to work for: Pioneer Hi-Bred
> Employees: 5,025
> Founded: 1926
> Headquarters: Johnston, IA
Pioneer Hi-Bred, a subsidiary of Corteva Agriscience, was the first company to sell commercial hybrid seed corn, and today it works to develop resilient, high quality, higher yield seed. Employees appreciate the good pay and benefits and the healthy work-life balance. Still, the average pay at Pioneer of $50,394 is not nearly as high as at some competitors like Monsanto and Stine Seed.
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16. Kansas
> Best company to work for: Waddell & Reed
> Employees: 1,332
> Founded: 1937
> Headquarters: Overland Park, KS
Waddell & Reed is a publicly traded asset management company based in Overland Park, Kansas. Compensation is a significant factor in the company’s top rank in the state. The average employee earns over $88,000 a year, far more than the averages at competitors like Fidelity and Vanguard.
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17. Kentucky
> Best company to work for: SGS
> Employees: 2,343
> Founded: 1946
> Headquarters: Louisville, KY
SGS provides a range of services, including brand design and marketing to corporate clients. The Louisville-based company receives high marks from its employees for high pay and generous benefits.
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18. Louisiana
> Best company to work for: Petroleum Helicopters International
> Employees: 2,246
> Founded: 1949
> Headquarters: Lafayette, LA
Petroleum Helicopters International, or PHI, is a commercial helicopter operator with clients in the oil and gas industry. Employees of the Lafayette-based company receive competitive pay and benefits and on-site housing. The company has an average employee tenure of 3.2 years, and an average annual salary of about $87,000, each higher than the comparable figures of competitors.
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19. Maine
> Best company to work for: IDEXX Laboratories
> Employees: 8,377
> Founded: 1983
> Headquarters: Westbrook, ME
IDEXX develops and manufactures diagnostic and testing products for pets, livestock, poultry, and dairy. Many who work for IDEXX enjoy working to help animals and appreciate the positive impact the company has. Though it is headquartered in Westbrook, Maine, IDEXX has operations around the world.
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20. Maryland
> Best company to work for: Lockheed Martin
> Employees: 105,000
> Founded: 1995
> Headquarters: Bethesda, MD
Lockheed Martin is based in the Washington D.C. suburb of Bethesda and ranks as the best company to work for in Maryland. Lockheed is by far the largest defense contractor in the United States. Employees stay at the company for an average of 5.1 years, a longer tenure than competitors like Raytheon and Northrop Grumman. The average annual pay at the company of $92,00 is also higher than at competitors like Boeing and General Dynamics.
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21. Massachusetts
> Best company to work for: Bain & Company
> Employees: 8,000
> Founded: 1973
> Headquarters: Boston, MA
Consulting firm Bain & Company, headquartered in Boston, ranks as the best company to work for in Massachusetts. The company’s high marks are due in no small part to compensation. The average annual pay at the firm is $111,860, well above the average at competitors like McKinsey, PWC, and Deloitte.
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22. Michigan
> Best company to work for: Diplomat
> Employees: 2,335
> Founded: 1975
> Headquarters: Flint, MI
Diplomat is a specialty pharmacy services provider based in Flint, Michigan, that provides care to patients suffering from chronic and often complicated conditions. The average salary at the company is just over $59,000, above several similar companies in the industry.
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23. Minnesota
> Best company to work for: Allianz Life
> Employees: 2,800
> Founded: 1896
> Headquarters: Minneapolis, MN
Allianz Life is a life insurance company headquartered in Minneapolis. The company pays an average salary of $87,432, well above competitors like New York Life, AIG, MetLife, and Lincoln National.
See all stories featuring: Minnesota
24. Mississippi
> Best company to work for: University of Mississippi Medical Center
> Employees: 10,000
> Founded: 1955
> Headquarters: Jackson, MS
The University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson, Mississippi, ranks as the best place to work in the state. The center includes six hospitals, four of which are on campus at the University. The system also has 20 ambulatory clinics across the state.
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25. Missouri
> Best company to work for: Purina
> Employees: 7,500
> Founded: 1894
> Headquarters: Saint Louis, MO
Pet food company Purina is a subsidiary of Nestle. The company’s status as the best place to work in the state is supported by employee tenure. On average, Purina workers stay with the company for 4.1 years, far longer than the average tenure at competitors like Iams and Sun Products. Last year, the company reported its 15th consecutive year of sales growth.
See all stories featuring: Missouri
26. Montana
> Best company to work for: Billings Clinic
> Employees: 4,000
> Founded: 1911
> Headquarters: Billings, MT
The Billings Clinic is the largest health care organization in Montana and the best place to work in the state. The system includes facilities in North Dakota and Wyoming. The average annual pay at Billings Clinic is over $64,000, higher than in many other similar health care systems.
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27. Nebraska
> Best company to work for: Lindsay
> Employees: 1,069
> Founded: 1955
> Headquarters: Omaha, NE
Omaha-based infrastructure company Lindsay ranks as the best company to work for in Nebraska. The company provides irrigation infrastructure for agricultural and municipal clients as well as highway and railway infrastructure.
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28. Nevada
> Best company to work for: Switch
> Employees: 798
> Founded: 2000
> Headquarters: Las Vegas, NV
Switch is a Las Vegas-based data center company that provides technology infrastructure to its corporate clients. The average salary at the company is over $75,000, more than at many of its competitors.
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29. New Hampshire
> Best company to work for: C&S Wholesale Grocers
> Employees: 14,000
> Founded: 1918
> Headquarters: Keene, NH
C&S Wholesale Grocers is one of the largest private companies in the United States. The Keene, New Hampshire-based food distribution company gets high marks from its employees for high pay and good benefits.
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30. New Jersey
> Best company to work for: PTC Therapeutics
> Employees: 517
> Founded: 1998
> Headquarters: South Plainfield, NJ
South Plainfield, New Jersey-based PTC Therapeutics is one of several pharmaceutical companies to rank on this list. The company has a diverse workforce, and employee satisfaction is evidenced by the high average length of employment. The average tenure at PTC is 3.2 years, longer than at competitors like Rengeneron and Amicus.
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31. New Mexico
> Best company to work for: Sandia National Laboratories
> Employees: 12,920
> Founded: 1948
> Headquarters: Albuquerque, NM
Sandia National Laboratories is a science and engineering lab with a focus on nuclear defense and national security. Employees give the company high marks for compensation and work-life balance. Though it is headquartered in Albuquerque, Sandia also operates in Livermore, California.
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32. New York
> Best company to work for: White & Case
> Employees: 3,662
> Founded: 1901
> Headquarters: New York, NY
White & Case is a Manhattan-based law firm. The firm specializes in bankruptcy, intellectual property, and tax law. White & Case has a diverse workforce who appreciates the work environment and company benefits package, including parental leave and 401(k) match.
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33. North Carolina
> Best company to work for: SAS Institute
> Employees: 13,939
> Founded: 1976
> Headquarters: Cary, NC
The SAS Institute is an analytics software company based in Cary, North Carolina. Employees generally like the positive impact of their work and the compensation. The average annual salary at SAS is nearly $96,000, well above the average pay at similar companies like IBM and Epsilon.
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34. North Dakota
> Best company to work for: Basin Electric Power Cooperative
> Employees: 2,300
> Founded: 1961
> Headquarters: Bismarck, ND
Bismarck-based Basin Electric Power Cooperative is one of several energy companies to rank on this list. The company has operations in nine states and is involved in coal, gas, nuclear, and renewable energy production. The average employee tenure at Basin is 4.8 years, longer than at any other company in the industry.
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35. Ohio
> Best company to work for: Squire Patton Boggs
> Employees: 2,600
> Founded: 1890
> Headquarters: Cleveland, OH
Cleveland-based law firm Squire Patton Boggs ranks as the best company to work for in Ohio. Employees stay at the firm for an average of 4.2 years — longer than at many competitors — and they applaud the firm for generous benefits and good work-life balance.
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36. Oklahoma
> Best company to work for: Devon Energy
> Employees: 2,900
> Founded: 1971
> Headquarters: Oklahoma City, OK
Devon Energy is an Oklahoma City-based gas and utilities company. Workers at the company applaud it for its culture, benefits, and salaries.
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37. Oregon
> Best company to work for: FLIR Systems
> Employees: 3,649
> Founded: 1978
> Headquarters: Wilsonville, OR
FLIR Systems, based in Wilsonville, Oregon, has a diverse workforce as measured by gender, ethnicity, and political leanings. Employees give FLIR Systems high marks for its benefits, which include a 401(k) match,
See all stories featuring: Oregon
38. Pennsylvania
> Best company to work for: Morgan, Lewis & Bockius
> Employees: 3,446
> Founded: 1873
> Headquarters: Philadelphia, PA
Philadelphia-based Morgan, Lewis & Bockius is one of several law firms to rank on this list. The firm specializes in finance, corporate restructuring, intellectual property, and employment and has 28 offices across three continents. The law firm gets high marks for the diversity of its workforce, which is 52% female and 41% ethnic minority.
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39. Rhode Island
> Best company to work for: Citizens Financial Group
> Employees: 18,100
> Founded: 1828
> Headquarters: Providence, RI
Citizens Financial Group is a bank that serves a range of clients, from individuals to large corporations. Citizens employees appreciate the company’s benefits package and culture and often report a healthy work-life balance.
See all stories featuring: Rhode Island
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40. South Carolina
> Best company to work for: Milliken & Company
> Employees: 7,000
> Founded: 1865
> Headquarters: Spartanburg, SC
Milliken & Company is a diversified industrial manufacturer headquartered in Spartanburg, South Carolina. The company offers competitive salaries within its industry and state, with the average employee earning $66,765 a year. The company also excels in employee retention, with an average tenure of 5.4 years, more than at many other similar businesses.
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41. South Dakota
> Best company to work for: Raven Industries
> Employees: 1,304
> Founded: 1956
> Headquarters: Sioux Falls, SD
Raven is a Sioux Falls-based manufacturer of agricultural and specialty products. Employee satisfaction at Raven is evidenced by the company’s retention rate. Workers stay at the company for an average of 3.5 years, longer than the average tenure at many comparable businesses.
See all stories featuring: South Dakota
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42. Tennessee
> Best company to work for: Tennessee Valley Authority
> Employees: 10,020
> Founded: 1933
> Headquarters: Knoxville, TN
Tennessee Valley Authority, or TVA, was founded in the 1930s with the purpose of generating electricity, preventing flooding, and promoting economic development. It is federally owned. Though it is headquartered in Knoxville, TVA also operates in Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, and Virginia, selling electricity to 155 power companies that serve over 9 million customers.
See all stories featuring: Tennessee
43. Texas
> Best company to work for: Exxon Mobil
> Employees: 71,000
> Founded: 1870
> Headquarters: Irving, TX
Exxon Mobil, the Irving, Texas-based energy giant, ranks as the best company to work for in the Lone Star State. According to Zippia data, the average Exxon employee earns nearly $80,000 a year, more than the average pay at several competing companies, including Shell and Chevron. Exxon Mobil also receives high marks for the diversity of its workforce.
See all stories featuring: Texas
44. Utah
> Best company to work for: Myriad Genetics
> Employees: 2,600
> Founded: 1992
> Headquarters: Salt Lake City, UT
Myriad Genetics is a Salt Lake City-based biotech and pharmaceutical company. The average employee tenure at the company is 2.4 years, longer than at competitors like Ambry Genetics and Illumina.
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45. Vermont
> Best company to work for: UVM Medical Center – Dermatology
> Employees: 8,711
> Founded: 1995
> Headquarters: Burlington, VT
Dermatology at the University of Vermont Medical Center ranks as the best place to work in the state. The dermatology unit at the medical center specializes in skin issues like skin cancer, leg ulcer therapy, and psoriasis. The relatively diverse workforce is 69.8% female and 22.8% ethnic minorities.
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46. Virginia
> Best company to work for: CACI International
> Employees: 22,100
> Founded: 1962
> Headquarters: Arlington, VA
CACI International is a contractor that provides consulting and information services to government clients in defense and intelligence. The average annual salary at CACI is $82,264, higher than at competitors like Northrup Grumman and Innovative Solutions.
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47. Washington
> Best company to work for: Microsoft
> Employees: 144,000
> Founded: 1975
> Headquarters: Redmond, WA
Software giant Microsoft, headquartered in Redmond, Washington, ranks as the best company to work for in the state. Microsoft has better than average employee retention, with an average tenure of 3.6 years, higher than at other similar companies like Dell and Symantec. Microsoft also pays well, with an average employee salary of about $135,000, well above competitors like Apple, Intel, and IBM.
See all stories featuring: Washington
48. West Virginia
> Best company to work for: CAMC Health System
> Employees: 6,000
> Founded: 1984
> Headquarters: Charleston, WV
CAMC Health System, based in Charleson, West Virginia, is home to the only kidney transplant center and freestanding children’s hospital in the state. It also has West Virginia’s highest level trauma center. At 4.3 years, the average employee tenure at CAMC is far longer than what is typical in similar health care systems.
See all stories featuring: West Virginia
49. Wisconsin
> Best company to work for: CUNA Mutual Group
> Employees: 4,000
> Founded: 1935
> Headquarters: Madison, WI
CUNA Mutual Group is a Madison based insurance and finance firm. The average employee annual salary at the firm is $103,438, far higher than at other similar companies like Prudential, New York Life, and MetLife.
See all stories featuring: Wisconsin
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50. Wyoming
> Best company to work for: Cloud Peak Energy
> Employees: 1,300
> Founded: 1993
> Headquarters: Gillette, WY
Accounting for about 40% of all coal mined in the United States, Wyoming is the largest coal producer among states. Gillette-based Cloud Peak Energy, a coal extraction company, ranks as the best company to work for in the state. It is a relatively diverse company, with over one-quarter of employees female and one-quarter ethnic minorities.
See all stories featuring: Wyoming
Methodology
To determine the best company to work for in every state, 24/7 Wall St. used career resource site Zippia’s score of companies — the index measure is based on salary, diversity, and the company’s financial health. Companies were only considered the best to work for in a given state if they were headquartered in the state. Data on corporate headquarters, employee counts, annual revenue, and founding date came from various financial filings, corporate websites, and Zippia and are for the most recent period available.
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