By Samuel Stebbins, 24/7 Wall St.
For the many Americans who enter the workforce each year, few decisions are as consequential as choosing a career. Picking a profession is only the first step, however. The next is deciding which company or organization to work for.
Based on 49 million reviews posted to Glassdoor, an online platform where employees can rate their employers, the average company rating is 3.4 out of 5. While a score above a 4 is relatively rare, there are a handful of major companies that appear to prioritize employee satisfaction -- and the proof is in the feedback. There are 17 highly reviewed companies with a score of at least 4.3.
24/7 Wall St. used Glassdoor data to identify the best companies to work for. This is not a Glassdoor commissioned report. We considered only large, U.S.-based companies and excluded government agencies and nonprofits from our analysis.
In a written exchange with 24/7 Wall St., Glassdoor career trends expert Amelia Green-Vamos laid out some of what these companies are doing to keep their employees happy. “Trust in senior leadership is a leading factor underlying long-term employee satisfaction along with culture and values, and career opportunities.” To be sure, employee-submitted reviews for companies on this list frequently cite those same factors. These qualities are notably absent in many reviews for the worst companies to work for.
Compensation also appears to play a role. Average salaries for common positions in many companies on this list regularly extend into the six-figure range. It is likely no coincidence that several of these companies also rank among America’s highest paying companies.
When it comes to intangible assets of a company, employee satisfaction is critically important, but it is not everything. Despite a dedicated and happy workforce, one company on this list also ranks among the 10 companies with the worst reputations.
17. Varsity Tutors
> Glassdoor rating: 4.3/5
> Employees who would recommend working at company: 86%
> Employees: 501-1,000
> Industry: Education
> Headquarters: St. Louis, MO
Varsity Tutors is an online platform that connects students with tutors through video chat and interactive tools using a desktop or mobile devices. The company employs tutors that can help students in a range of subjects as well as sales representatives and customer service specialists.
The company was founded in 2007 by Chuck Cohn, who himself struggled in school and benefited from the aid of quality tutors -- who were often difficult to find. Cohn currently serves as CEO and enjoys a 96% approval rating among employees who reviewed the company on Glassdoor. Positive employee reviews regularly cite the flexible work schedule and the ability to work from home.
16. Ceridian
> Glassdoor rating: 4.3/5
> Employees who would recommend working at company: 88%
> Employees: 4,444
> Industry: Software
> Headquarters: Minneapolis, MN
Ceridian is a Minnesota-based software development company. The company's flagship product is Dayforce, a cloud based human resources management application. Ceridian employees work in sales, technology, marketing, and finance, and the company offers its employees a range of benefits, tuition reimbursement, a flexible work environment, and frequent office social functions.
Ceridian employees also have confidence in the company's leadership. CEO David Ossip has a 95% approval rating on Glassdoor.
15. VIPKid
> Glassdoor rating: 4.3/5
> Employees who would recommend working at company: 86%
> Employees: 5,001-10,000
> Industry: Education
> Headquarters: San Francisco, CA
Along with Varsity Tutors, VIPKid is one of two online learning platforms to rank among the best companies to work for. The private, San Francisco-based company connects children in China who are studying English with teachers in the United States. Those working for the company can earn up to $22 an hour and have the flexibility to work from home and on their own schedules. Good pay and flexibility are frequently cited in positive reviews on Glassdoor.
14. Omni Hotels
> Glassdoor rating: 4.3/5
> Employees who would recommend working at company: 87%
> Employees: 22,000
> Industry: Hospitality
> Headquarters: Dallas, TX
Omni Hotels operates 60 luxury hotels and resorts in North America. The only company in the hospitality industry to rank on this list, Omni distinguishes itself by, according to reviews of the company on Glassdoor, offering employees growth and development opportunities, good benefits, and a strong culture. Omni employees also have confidence in the company's leadership. CEO Peter Strebel has a 97% approval rating on Glassdoor.
13. C.R. England
> Glassdoor rating: 4.3/5
> Employees who would recommend working at company: 92%
> Employees: 5,001 - 10,000
> Industry: Trucking
> Headquarters: Salt Lake City, UT
C.R. England is a Salt Lake City-based refrigerated trucking company that specializes in moving perishable freight like fresh produce, meat, dairy products, and chemicals. In the overwhelmingly positive reviews on Glassdoor, C.R. England employees applaud the company for its training program. The company offers positions in operations and truck driving. The company was founded in 1920 by its namesake, Chester R. England. Still family owned, CEO Chad England has a 96% employee approval rating on Glassdoor.
12. Southwest Airlines
> Glassdoor rating: 4.3/5
> Employees who would recommend working at company: 84%
> Employees: 59,000
> Industry: Transportation
> Headquarters: Dallas, TX
Dallas-based Southwest Airlines is the only airline to rank among the best companies to work for. Southwest began with a fleet of just three Boeing 737s in 1971 and grew into a major airline by the end of the following decade. Today, the company's 59,000 employees are more likely to give their employer high marks than most private sector workers.
Employee satisfaction at the company is largely a product of the benefits package. Positive reviews on Glassdoor regularly cite perks like profit sharing, free flights, and a positive company culture.
11. Great Clips
> Glassdoor rating: 4.3/5
> Employees who would recommend working at company: 85%
> Employees: 40,000
> Industry: Beauty
> Headquarters: Minneapolis, Minnesota
Great Clips is a Minneapolis-based franchise salon with over 4,300 locations in the United States and Canada. Though there is perhaps more variation in the working experience by location at a franchise brand, job satisfaction is a common sentiment among Great Clips employees. Glassdoor reviews regularly tout the daily tips, flexible schedule, and fast paced work environment. Great Clips CEO Steve Hockett has led the company since January 2018 and enjoys a 93% approval rating on Glassdoor.
10. Boston Consulting Group
> Glassdoor rating: 4.3/5
> Employees who would recommend working at company: 85%
> Employees: 18,500
> Industry: Consulting
> Headquarters: Boston, MA
Boston Consulting Group, or BCG, is a management consulting firm that has been in business for over 50 years. Headquartered in the city for which it is named, the company has employees all over the world, with 90 offices across 50 countries.
Employee satisfaction at BCG is linked to a positive work environment, high esteem for co-workers, and good work-life balance. As is the case in other consulting firms on this list, compensation also likely helps with satisfaction. BCG consultants earn an average of over $155,000 a year.
9. Vector Marketing
> Glassdoor rating: 4.3/5
> Employees who would recommend working at company: 87%
> Employees: 201 - 500
> Industry: Marketing
> Headquarters: Olean, NY
Vector Marketing is the sales division of Cutco Cutlery, the largest manufacturer of kitchen knives in North America. While Vector Marketing, which hires college students to sell knives, has been sued for unpaid training sessions and exploiting a loophole by classifying managers as contractors rather than employees, the company still receives positive reviews from workers on Glassdoor.
The company markets itself as a fun place to work, which likely appeals to college students, its target recruits. Positive reviews regularly cite flexible hours and high pay.
8. McKinsey & Company
> Glassdoor rating: 4.3/5
> Employees who would recommend working at company: 87%
> Employees: 30,000
> Industry: Consulting
> Headquarters: New York, NY
McKinsey & Company is one of several consulting firms to rank among the best companies to work for. The company has an average rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars on Glassdoor from roughly 3,400 reviews. CEO Kevin Sneader has a 95% approval rating among reviewers, and McKinsey employees applaud the company for the growth and learning opportunities it offers, and they generally hold their co-workers in high esteem.
Though it is headquartered in New York City, McKinsey employees can be found across the country and around the world as the company has offices in over 130 cities and 65 countries.
7. Facebook
> Glassdoor rating: 4.3/5
> Employees who would recommend working at company: 86%
> Employees: 37,700
> Industry: Social media
> Headquarters: Menlo Park, CA
One of the highest profile brands on this list, Facebook received largely negative press coverage in recent years due to privacy and fake news concerns. Its employees, however, do not share these negative sentiments but hold the company in high regard. Like other Silicon Valley-based tech firms, Facebook does its best to attract and keep top talent, including offering perks like free food, dry cleaning and laundry service, transportation, and a 30-day break every five years.
Salaries also likely contribute to Facebook employee morale. Facebook's software engineers earn $147,500 a year on average.
6. Google
> Glassdoor rating: 4.3/5
> Employees who would recommend working at company: 86%
> Employees: 60,000
> Industry: Technology
> Headquarters: Mountain View, CA
Google is one of several Silicon Valley tech companies to rank on this list. Those who work for the world's most popular search engine applaud the company for perks like free food, great benefits, and good work-life balance. Google also pays its employees well. The average senior software engineer at the company earns over $173,000 a year.
Though Google is headquartered in California, its employees can be found all over the world as the company has offices in 50 countries.
5. In-N-Out Burger
> Glassdoor rating: 4.4/5
> Employees who would recommend working at company: 91%
> Employees: 10,000+
> Industry: Fast food
> Headquarters: Irvine, CA
California-based In-N-Out Burger is the only restaurant to rank on this list. In-N-Out Burger stands out in the industry for employee satisfaction due in part to flexible schedules and benefits like paid vacations, free meals, and a 401(k) plan. Hundreds of Glassdoor reviews also cite relatively good pay, and many reference the free meal employees are entitled to every shift as a positive. The vast majority of In-N-Out Burger locations are in California, though there are also many in Texas, Arizona, Nevada, and Utah.
4. NVIDIA
> Glassdoor rating: 4.4/5
> Employees who would recommend working at company: 91%
> Employees: 13,277
> Industry: Computer hardware & software
> Headquarters: Santa Clara, CA
Founded in 1993, NVIDIA invented in 1999 the first graphics processing unit, or GPU, which is now a standard component in computer displays. NVIDIA is the highest ranking Silicon Valley-based tech company on this list, beating its better known neighbors Google and Facebook. Working with cutting-edge technology is what many at NVIDIA like the most about their job. Many also appreciate the company's work-life balance, culture, and learning opportunities.
3. TaskUs
> Glassdoor rating: 4.6/5
> Employees who would recommend working at company: 94%
> Employees: 10,000+
> Industry: Outsourcing
> Headquarters: Santa Monica, CA
TaskUs is a California-based outsourcer that helps its clients, primarily other businesses, manage duties they may not be properly equipped to handle in a range of areas like consulting, customer experience, and back office support. The company claims to leverage both its skilled staff and technology to respond to its clients' unique needs. Those who work for TaskUs report appreciating the company's work environment and frequently have nothing negative to say. Co-founder and current CEO Bryce Maddock has a near perfect 99% employee approval rating on Glassdoor.
2. Power Home Remodeling
> Glassdoor rating: 4.6/5
> Employees who would recommend working at company: 90%
> Employees: 1,001 - 5,000
> Industry: Construction
> Headquarters: Chester, PA
Power Home Remodeling is the only company in the construction industry to rank among the best places to work. Based in Pennsylvania, the company, which offers replacement windows, siding, roofing, and doors, has locations across the country in massive markets like Atlanta, Charlotte, Houston, and Tampa. The company offers jobs in a range of positions, employing sales representatives, remodeling consultants, and field service managers.
In the overwhelmingly positive reviews on Glassdoor, Power Home Remodeling employees give the company high marks for company culture, work environment, upward mobility, and a company-sponsored retreat to Mexico.
1. Bain & Company
> Glassdoor rating: 4.7/5
> Employees who would recommend working at company: 95%
> Employees: 5,001 - 10,000
> Industry: Consulting
> Headquarters: Boston, MA
Consulting firms are a recurring theme on this list, and one of them, Boston-based Bain & Company, outranks them all. Founded in 1973, Bain & Company is younger than other consulting firms that also rank among the best companies to work for like BCG and McKinsey. With 58 offices across 37 countries, Bain employs people all over the world.
As is the case in other consulting firms, Bain pays its employees well. Consultants with the company earn over $150,000 a year on average, and Bain employees regularly cite professional development opportunities and company culture in positive reviews. They also have high esteem for their co-workers and strong confidence in senior leadership. Bain CEO Manny Maceda enjoys a 98% employee approval rating on Glassdoor.
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