2006 Revenues (millions): $10,605
Headquarters: Mountain View, CA
What makes it so great? Back in our No. 1 spot, Google continued to mint millionaires as the stock cracked $700. The company gives stock options to 99% of employees.
2. Quicken Loans
2006 Revenues (millions): $602
Headquarters: Livonia, MI
What makes it so great? "Ethically driven" is what one employee calls the online mortgage lender. It avoided the subprime crisis by sticking with plain-vanilla loans.
3. Wegmans Food Markets
2006 Revenues (millions): $4,119
Headquarters: Rochester, NY
What makes it so great? Shopping is theater at this family-owned 71-store chain. It was named the nation's top supermarket by the Food Network in 2007.
4. Edward Jones
2006 Revenues (millions): $3,518
Headquarters: St. Louis, MO
What makes it so great? Some 70% of employees in the St. Louis home office got a 6.5% raise last year as the brokerage firm opened 1,000 new offices in the U.S.
5. Genentech
2006 Revenues (millions): $9,284
Headquarters: South San Francisco, CA
What makes it so great? Legendarily perk-heavy biotech firm (doggie day care; onsite farmers' market) bumped up 401(k) match in 2007 (100% up to 5% of pay).
6. Cisco Systems
2006 Revenues (millions): $28,500
Headquarters: San Jose, CA
What makes it so great? Though the stock flatlined in 2007, CEO John Chambers won praise for his leadership and his new Blog, On My Mind, which solicits employee ideas.
7. Starbucks
2006 Revenues (millions): $7,800
Headquarters: Seattle, WA
What makes it so great? Rapid expansion led to a difficult year, but the stock rose 9% on January news that founder Howard Schultz is taking over the CEO post.
8. Qualcomm
2006 Revenues (millions): $7,256
Headquarters: San Diego, CA
What makes it so great? New employees get stock options and 100% health insurance coverage. The popular onsite primary-care clinic is quadrupling in size.
9. Goldman Sachs
2006 Revenues (millions): $37,700
Headquarters: New York, NY
What makes it so great? It was a rough year for Wall Street, but Goldman had record sales and profits. Comp and benefits rose 23% from the previous year, to $20.19 billion.
10. Methodist Hospital System
2006 Revenues (millions): $1,587
Headquarters: Houston, TX
What makes it so great? Last year Methodist added a new program called "No One Dies Alone," in which employees volunteer time with terminal patients.
11. Boston Consulting Group
2006 Revenues (millions): $1,862
Headquarters: Boston, MA
What makes it so great? Top-notch benefits include free health insurance, three months' paid maternity leave, and a bonus 15% of pay deposited in a retirement plan.
12. Nugget Markets
2006 Revenues (millions): $238
Headquarters: Woodland, CA
What makes it so great? Family-owned supermarket chain always throws a year-end bash. It also took the entire company white-water rafting in 2007.
13. Umpqua Bank
2006 Revenues (millions): $317
Headquarters: Portland, OR
What makes it so great? Employees at this community bank (with 147 branches and its own coffee blend) get 40 hours of paid time each year to volunteer in the community.
14. Network Appliance
2006 revenue ($ millions): 2,804
Headquarters: Sunnyvale, CA
What makes it so great?
Headquarters: Sunnyvale, CA
What makes it so great?
Execs are "easy to approach" at this data-storage company. Responding to feedback, NetApp introduced an autism benefit that 28 staffers have used.
2006 revenue ($ millions): 2,126
Headquarters: Newark, DE
What makes it so great?
15. W. L. Gore & Associates
2006 revenue ($ millions): 2,126
Headquarters: Newark, DE
What makes it so great?
The Gore-Tex maker protects its unique culture by hiring those driven by opportunity "rather than the title or status that goes along with it."
2006 revenue ($ millions): 5,607
Headquarters: Austin, TX
What makes it so great?
16. Whole Foods Market
2006 revenue ($ millions): 5,607
Headquarters: Austin, TX
What makes it so great?
This beloved natural and organic foods retailer opened a record 21 new stores in 2007, and also acquired Wild Oats in a $565 million deal.
2006 revenue ($ millions): 1,544
Headquarters: Houston, TX
What makes it so great?
17. David Weekley Homes
2006 revenue ($ millions): 1,544
Headquarters: Houston, TX
What makes it so great?
When the homebuilding industry slowed, the privately held firm canceled its annual reward trip and tripled severance pay for laid-off employees.
2006 revenue ($ millions): 1,717
Headquarters: Columbus, OH
What makes it so great?
18. OhioHealth
2006 revenue ($ millions): 1,717
Headquarters: Columbus, OH
What makes it so great?
Ohio's largest health-care provider rewards everything: customer service, community service, stars of the month, and perfect attendance.
2006 revenue ($ millions): 443
Headquarters: Washington, DC
What makes it so great?
19. Arnold & Porter
2006 revenue ($ millions): 443
Headquarters: Washington, DC
What makes it so great?
Staffers get 12 weeks paid maternity leave and profit sharing of 7.5% of salary. The less you make, the less you pay for health-insurance premiums.
2006 revenue ($ millions): 505
Headquarters: Coppell, TX
What makes it so great?
20. Container Store
2006 revenue ($ millions): 505
Headquarters: Coppell, TX
What makes it so great?
Though a private equity firm took a majority stake in the retailer, it has kept top entry-level pay 50% to 100% higher than the retail average.
21. Principal Financial Group
2006 revenue ($ millions): 9,826
Headquarters: Des Moines, IA
2006 revenue ($ millions): 9,826
Headquarters: Des Moines, IA
What makes it so great?
A new child-care center is in the works, you can buy extra time off, and the majority get retirement benefits of 100% of income.
2006 revenue ($ millions): 928
Headquarters: Kansas City, MO
What makes it so great?
22. American Century Investments
2006 revenue ($ millions): 928
Headquarters: Kansas City, MO
What makes it so great?
Newcomers are given a big welcome here: All get a copy of the founder's book, and many teams put up deskside banners or buy new recruits lunch.
2006 revenue ($ millions): 11,100
Headquarters: Deerfield Beach, FL
What makes it so great?
23. JM Family Enterprises
2006 revenue ($ millions): 11,100
Headquarters: Deerfield Beach, FL
What makes it so great?
When Jim Moran, founder of the Toyota distributor, died in '07, he left his stock in a trust to continue JM's employee-friendly policies.
2006 revenue ($ millions): 686
Headquarters: Oklahoma City, OK
What makes it so great?
24. American Fidelity Assurance
2006 revenue ($ millions): 686
Headquarters: Oklahoma City, OK
What makes it so great?
Bill Cameron, grandson of the founder, fosters an environment that leads employees to call this Oklahoma insurer their "second family."
2006 revenue ($ millions): 230
Headquarters: Coppell, TX
What makes it so great?
25. Shared Technologies
2006 revenue ($ millions): 230
Headquarters: Coppell, TX
What makes it so great?
I'd follow Tony off a bridge, says one employee of CEO Tony Parella, who last year visited all 41 locations of this data-systems installer to talk with workers.
FORTUNE'S BEST BIG COMPANIES TO WORK FOR - 2008
1. Valero Energy
Fortune 1000 rank: 16
Best Companies rank: 67
No. ofU.S.
Most common salaried job: Store Manager - Retail
Avg. pay in that job: $97,730
What makes it so great? Largest oil refiner inNorth America makes its corporate jet available for employees with medical emergencies and covers 100% of health insurance premiums.
2. Goldman Sachs Group
Fortune 1000 rank: 20
Best Companies rank: 9
No. ofU.S.
Most common salaried job: Other Exempt (Analysts, Program Analysts, Associates, and Professional Non-Exempt)
Avg. pay in that job: $137,000
What makes it so great? It was a rough year for Wall Street, but Goldman had record sales and profits. Comp and benefits rose 23% from the previous year, to $20.19 billion.
3. Microsoft
Fortune 1000 rank: 44
Best Companies rank: 86
No. ofU.S.
Most common salaried job: Software Development Engineer
Avg. pay in that job: N.A.
What makes it so great? Software behemoth offers 2,300 different courses; training consumes 3% of budget. It has expanded the campus to include 5.5 million square feet of new office space.
4. FedEx
Fortune 1000 rank: 68
Best Companies rank: 97
No. ofU.S.
Most common salaried job: Operations Manager-FedEx Express
Avg. pay in that job: $76,751
What makes it so great? Firm continues a no-layoff philosophy, offers health insurance to retirees and part-timers, and promotes from within (90% of FedEx Express managers worked their way up).
5. Cisco Systems
Fortune 1000 rank: 71
Best Companies rank: 6
No. ofU.S.
Most common salaried job: Software Engineer IV
Avg. pay in that job: $132,004
What makes it so great? Though the stock flatlined in 2007, CEO John Chambers won praise for his leadership and his new blog, On My Mind, which solicits employee ideas.
6. American Express
Fortune 1000 rank: 75
Best Companies rank: 62
No. ofU.S.
Most common salaried job: Team Leader Operations
Avg. pay in that job: $55,620
What makes it so great? Big plus in working here is the ability to move around. AmEx had 6,000 internal job moves last year, including many overseas, where the majority of employees work.
7. Publix Super Markets
Fortune 1000 rank: 107
Best Companies rank: 91
No. ofU.S.
Most common salaried job: Store Manager
Avg. pay in that job: $107,280
What makes it so great? Workers tell us the company and associates rally behind anyone confronted with an illness or a personal problem. Some 20,000 have worked here more than ten years.
Fortune 1000 rank: 150
Best Companies rank: 1
No. ofU.S.
Most common salaried job: N.A.
Avg. pay in that job: N.A.
What makes it so great? Back in our No. 1 spot, Google continued to mint millionaires as the stock cracked $700. The company gives stock options to 99% of employees.
9. Nike
Fortune 1000 rank: 153
Best Companies rank: 82
No. ofU.S.
Most common salaried job: Manager/Department Retail
Avg. pay in that job: $39,046
What makes it so great? Four times a year, staff at the sports-crazed company are invited to an all-employee meeting; those completing their tenth year are invited to the Decathletes Dinner.
10. AFLAC
Fortune 1000 rank: 165
Best Companies rank: 30
No. ofU.S.
Most common salaried job: Supervisor, Operations
Avg. pay in that job: $58,487
What makes it so great? Insurer boasts a top comp package - pension, profit sharing, 401(k) match - and in 2008 will offer shareholders a rare "say on pay" vote.
11.Texas Instruments
Fortune 1000 rank: 185
Best Companies rank: 100
No. ofU.S.
Most common salaried job: Electrical Design Engineer
Avg. pay in that job: $116,636
What makes it so great? Diversity isn't just a buzzword at Texas Instruments. Minorities account for 40% of employee population at the electronics company; 10% are African Americans.
12. Marriott International
Best Companies rank: 72
No. ofU.S.
Most common salaried job: Sales Manager
Avg. pay in that job: $56,382
What makes it so great? J.W. Marriott Jr., the 75-year-old CEO, visits some 250 hotels a year, meeting with employees. The hotel chain's turnover rate is among the lowest in the field (18%).
13. General Mills
Fortune 1000 rank: 214
Best Companies rank: 69
No. ofU.S.
Most common salaried job: Retail Sales Representative
Avg. pay in that job: $43,922
What makes it so great? Of the women who went on maternity leave last year, 96% returned, helped by a new policy enabling them to phase back to work on a part-time basis for eight weeks.
14.Devon Energy
Fortune 1000 rank: 221
Best Companies rank: 48
No. ofU.S.
Most common salaried job: Engineer
Avg. pay in that job: $173,057
What makes it so great? Bonuses gush atDevon , the nation's largest independent oil and natural gas producer. Average bonus in 2006 was $21,332; the median was $9,000.
15. Principal Financial
Fortune 1000 rank: 242
Best Companies rank: 21
No. ofU.S.
Most common salaried job: IT Application Analyst Sr.
Avg. pay in that job: $95,308
What makes it so great? A new child-care center is in the works, you can buy extra time off, and the majority get retirement benefits of 100% of income.
16. Starbucks
Fortune 1000 rank: 277
Best Companies rank: 7
No. ofU.S.
Most common salaried job: Store Manager
Avg. pay in that job: $45,713
What makes it so great? Rapid expansion led to a difficult year, but the stock rose 9% on January news that founder Howard Schultz is taking over the CEO post.
17. Qualcomm
Best Companies rank: 8
No. ofU.S.
Most common salaried job: Engineer, Senior
Avg. pay in that job: $97,641
What makes it so great? New employees get stock options and 100% health insurance coverage. The popular onsite primary-care clinic is quadrupling in size.
18. Nordstrom
Fortune 1000 rank: 299
Best Companies rank: 36
No. ofU.S.
Most common salaried job: Sales Department Manager
Avg. pay in that job: $48,500
What makes it so great? Retailer has an excellent record in advancement of women: 63% of execs and senior managers are female; 117 of 157 stores are managed by women.
19. Sherwin-Williams
Fortune 1000 rank: 316
Best Companies rank: 98
No. ofU.S.
Most common salaried job: Store Manager
Avg. pay in that job: $68,513
What makes it so great? The 142-year-old paint company wants recruits for the long haul: 10% of workforce has more than 20 years' service; 30%, more than ten years. CEO Chris Connor is a 25-year vet.
20.Chesapeake
Fortune 1000 rank: 324
Best Companies rank: 61
No. ofU.S.
Most common salaried job: Toolpusher
Avg. pay in that job: $108,031
What makes it so great? Co-founder Aubrey McClendon meets every new employee. He okayed an employee-proposed child-care center, but doubled its size and cut the fee in half.
21. eBay
Fortune 1000 rank: 326
Best Companies rank: 68
No. ofU.S.
Most common salaried job: Software Engineer 4
Avg. pay in that job: $125,889
What makes it so great? The auctioneer's HQ boasts perks like golf lessons, bike repair, and a dentist, plus prayer and meditation rooms. Four-week paid sabbaticals every five years are also offered.
22. CarMax
Fortune 1000 rank: 333
Best Companies rank: 46
No. ofU.S.
Most common salaried job: Merchandising Associate
Avg. pay in that job: $58,113
What makes it so great? Unusual no-haggle policy, onsite nurses available at 11 locations, and a diverse staff have made the nation's largest used-car dealer a friendly place to work.
23. Yahoo
Fortune 1000 rank: 353
Best Companies rank: 87
No. ofU.S.
Most common salaried job: Technical Yahoo
Avg. pay in that job: $116,250
What makes it so great? Founder Jerry Yang returned as Chief Yahoo after the stock fell by almost 9% in 2007. He hosts monthly Chat 'n Chow lunches and answers employee questions online.
24. Whole Foods Market
Fortune 1000 rank: 369
Best Companies rank: 16
No. ofU.S.
Most common salaried job: Associate Store Team Leader
Avg. pay in that job: $70,609
What makes it so great? This beloved natural and organic foods retailer opened a record 21 new stores in 2007, and also acquired Wild Oats in a $565 million deal.
25. Mattel
Fortune 1000 rank: 413
Best Companies rank: 70
No. ofU.S.
Most common salaried job: Project Designer
Avg. pay in that job: $81,741
What makes it so great? The toy giant returns to our list after a hiatus of ten years, with CEO Bob Eckert getting kudos for quick and responsible actions in recalling defective toys fromChina
26. CH2M Hill
Fortune 1000 rank: 520
Best Companies rank: 54
No. ofU.S.
Most common salaried job: Project Manager
Avg. pay in that job: $100,998
What makes it so great? Employees own all the stock in this engineering-construction firm, which does everything from decommission nuclear plants to helpLondon
27. Adobe Systems
Fortune 1000 rank: 651
Best Companies rank: 40
No. ofU.S.
Most common salaried job: Computer Scientist
Avg. pay in that job: $137,691
What makes it so great? A culture of openness pervades this software developer: The CEO answers e-mails within 24 hours, and employee councils feed management with ideas.
28. NETAPP
Fortune 1000 rank: 709
Best Companies rank: 14
No. ofU.S.
Most common salaried job: MTS Software 4
Avg. pay in that job: $129,689
What makes it so great? Execs are "easy to approach" at this data-storage company. Responding to feedback, NetApp introduced an autism benefit that 28 staffers have used.
29. Granite Construction
Fortune 1000 rank: 720
Best Companies rank: 74
No. ofU.S.
Most common salaried job: Engineer
Avg. pay in that job: $77,561
What makes it so great? Builder of roads, bridges, and dams has a zero-accident goal. One worker told us, "If you or anybody feels something is unsafe, you will not be fired. You will be rewarded."
30. Intuit
Fortune 1000 rank: 724
Best Companies rank: 43
No. ofU.S.
Most common salaried job: Software Engineer
Avg. pay in that job: N.A.
What makes it so great? All new employees get options at this financial-software maker, and everyone gets four days off with pay each year to perform community service.
31. J.M. Smucker
Fortune 1000 rank: 852
Best Companies rank: 47
No. ofU.S.
Most common salaried job: Production Supervisor
Avg. pay in that job: $52,732
What makes it so great? Job seekers at this 111-year-old family firm are interviewed by eight to ten people. Once hired, they stay; 25% of the workforce has been here more than 16 years.
32. Herman Miller
Fortune 1000 rank: 914
Best Companies rank: 96
No. ofU.S.
Most common salaried job: Engineer 3
Avg. pay in that job: $66,901
What makes it so great? The furniture pioneer values its history: 23% of the workforce is classified as "water carriers," people who have 20-plus years and carry the culture forward.
33. Paychex
Fortune 1000 rank: 921
Best Companies rank: 51
No. ofU.S.
Most common salaried job: Sales Representative
Avg. pay in that job: N.A.
What makes it so great? With more than 100 locations offering payroll services for small and medium-sized businesses, training is key. The average: 107 hours per employee.
FORTUNE'S BEST BIG COMPANIES TO WORK FOR - 2008
1. Valero Energy
Best Companies rank: 67
No. of
Most common salaried job: Store Manager - Retail
Avg. pay in that job: $97,730
What makes it so great? Largest oil refiner in
2. Goldman Sachs Group
Best Companies rank: 9
No. of
Most common salaried job: Other Exempt (Analysts, Program Analysts, Associates, and Professional Non-Exempt)
Avg. pay in that job: $137,000
What makes it so great? It was a rough year for Wall Street, but Goldman had record sales and profits. Comp and benefits rose 23% from the previous year, to $20.19 billion.
3. Microsoft
Best Companies rank: 86
No. of
Most common salaried job: Software Development Engineer
Avg. pay in that job: N.A.
What makes it so great? Software behemoth offers 2,300 different courses; training consumes 3% of budget. It has expanded the campus to include 5.5 million square feet of new office space.
4. FedEx
Best Companies rank: 97
No. of
Most common salaried job: Operations Manager-FedEx Express
Avg. pay in that job: $76,751
What makes it so great? Firm continues a no-layoff philosophy, offers health insurance to retirees and part-timers, and promotes from within (90% of FedEx Express managers worked their way up).
5. Cisco Systems
Best Companies rank: 6
No. of
Most common salaried job: Software Engineer IV
Avg. pay in that job: $132,004
What makes it so great? Though the stock flatlined in 2007, CEO John Chambers won praise for his leadership and his new blog, On My Mind, which solicits employee ideas.
6. American Express
Best Companies rank: 62
No. of
Most common salaried job: Team Leader Operations
Avg. pay in that job: $55,620
What makes it so great? Big plus in working here is the ability to move around. AmEx had 6,000 internal job moves last year, including many overseas, where the majority of employees work.
7. Publix Super Markets
Best Companies rank: 91
No. of
Most common salaried job: Store Manager
Avg. pay in that job: $107,280
What makes it so great? Workers tell us the company and associates rally behind anyone confronted with an illness or a personal problem. Some 20,000 have worked here more than ten years.
Best Companies rank: 1
No. of
Most common salaried job: N.A.
Avg. pay in that job: N.A.
What makes it so great? Back in our No. 1 spot, Google continued to mint millionaires as the stock cracked $700. The company gives stock options to 99% of employees.
9. Nike
Best Companies rank: 82
No. of
Most common salaried job: Manager/Department Retail
Avg. pay in that job: $39,046
What makes it so great? Four times a year, staff at the sports-crazed company are invited to an all-employee meeting; those completing their tenth year are invited to the Decathletes Dinner.
10. AFLAC
Best Companies rank: 30
No. of
Most common salaried job: Supervisor, Operations
Avg. pay in that job: $58,487
What makes it so great? Insurer boasts a top comp package - pension, profit sharing, 401(k) match - and in 2008 will offer shareholders a rare "say on pay" vote.
11.
Best Companies rank: 100
No. of
Most common salaried job: Electrical Design Engineer
Avg. pay in that job: $116,636
What makes it so great? Diversity isn't just a buzzword at Texas Instruments. Minorities account for 40% of employee population at the electronics company; 10% are African Americans.
12. Marriott International
Best Companies rank: 72
No. of
Most common salaried job: Sales Manager
Avg. pay in that job: $56,382
What makes it so great? J.W. Marriott Jr., the 75-year-old CEO, visits some 250 hotels a year, meeting with employees. The hotel chain's turnover rate is among the lowest in the field (18%).
13. General Mills
Best Companies rank: 69
No. of
Most common salaried job: Retail Sales Representative
Avg. pay in that job: $43,922
What makes it so great? Of the women who went on maternity leave last year, 96% returned, helped by a new policy enabling them to phase back to work on a part-time basis for eight weeks.
14.
Best Companies rank: 48
No. of
Most common salaried job: Engineer
Avg. pay in that job: $173,057
What makes it so great? Bonuses gush at
Best Companies rank: 21
No. of
Most common salaried job: IT Application Analyst Sr.
Avg. pay in that job: $95,308
What makes it so great? A new child-care center is in the works, you can buy extra time off, and the majority get retirement benefits of 100% of income.
16. Starbucks
Best Companies rank: 7
No. of
Most common salaried job: Store Manager
Avg. pay in that job: $45,713
What makes it so great? Rapid expansion led to a difficult year, but the stock rose 9% on January news that founder Howard Schultz is taking over the CEO post.
17. Qualcomm
Best Companies rank: 8
No. of
Most common salaried job: Engineer, Senior
Avg. pay in that job: $97,641
What makes it so great? New employees get stock options and 100% health insurance coverage. The popular onsite primary-care clinic is quadrupling in size.
18. Nordstrom
Best Companies rank: 36
No. of
Most common salaried job: Sales Department Manager
Avg. pay in that job: $48,500
What makes it so great? Retailer has an excellent record in advancement of women: 63% of execs and senior managers are female; 117 of 157 stores are managed by women.
19. Sherwin-Williams
Best Companies rank: 98
No. of
Most common salaried job: Store Manager
Avg. pay in that job: $68,513
What makes it so great? The 142-year-old paint company wants recruits for the long haul: 10% of workforce has more than 20 years' service; 30%, more than ten years. CEO Chris Connor is a 25-year vet.
20.
Best Companies rank: 61
No. of
Most common salaried job: Toolpusher
Avg. pay in that job: $108,031
What makes it so great? Co-founder Aubrey McClendon meets every new employee. He okayed an employee-proposed child-care center, but doubled its size and cut the fee in half.
21. eBay
Best Companies rank: 68
No. of
Most common salaried job: Software Engineer 4
Avg. pay in that job: $125,889
What makes it so great? The auctioneer's HQ boasts perks like golf lessons, bike repair, and a dentist, plus prayer and meditation rooms. Four-week paid sabbaticals every five years are also offered.
22. CarMax
Best Companies rank: 46
No. of
Most common salaried job: Merchandising Associate
Avg. pay in that job: $58,113
What makes it so great? Unusual no-haggle policy, onsite nurses available at 11 locations, and a diverse staff have made the nation's largest used-car dealer a friendly place to work.
23. Yahoo
Best Companies rank: 87
No. of
Most common salaried job: Technical Yahoo
Avg. pay in that job: $116,250
What makes it so great? Founder Jerry Yang returned as Chief Yahoo after the stock fell by almost 9% in 2007. He hosts monthly Chat 'n Chow lunches and answers employee questions online.
24. Whole Foods Market
Best Companies rank: 16
No. of
Most common salaried job: Associate Store Team Leader
Avg. pay in that job: $70,609
What makes it so great? This beloved natural and organic foods retailer opened a record 21 new stores in 2007, and also acquired Wild Oats in a $565 million deal.
25. Mattel
Best Companies rank: 70
No. of
Most common salaried job: Project Designer
Avg. pay in that job: $81,741
What makes it so great? The toy giant returns to our list after a hiatus of ten years, with CEO Bob Eckert getting kudos for quick and responsible actions in recalling defective toys from
26. CH2M Hill
Best Companies rank: 54
No. of
Most common salaried job: Project Manager
Avg. pay in that job: $100,998
What makes it so great? Employees own all the stock in this engineering-construction firm, which does everything from decommission nuclear plants to help
27. Adobe Systems
Best Companies rank: 40
No. of
Most common salaried job: Computer Scientist
Avg. pay in that job: $137,691
What makes it so great? A culture of openness pervades this software developer: The CEO answers e-mails within 24 hours, and employee councils feed management with ideas.
28. NETAPP
Best Companies rank: 14
No. of
Most common salaried job: MTS Software 4
Avg. pay in that job: $129,689
What makes it so great? Execs are "easy to approach" at this data-storage company. Responding to feedback, NetApp introduced an autism benefit that 28 staffers have used.
29. Granite Construction
Best Companies rank: 74
No. of
Most common salaried job: Engineer
Avg. pay in that job: $77,561
What makes it so great? Builder of roads, bridges, and dams has a zero-accident goal. One worker told us, "If you or anybody feels something is unsafe, you will not be fired. You will be rewarded."
30. Intuit
Best Companies rank: 43
No. of
Most common salaried job: Software Engineer
Avg. pay in that job: N.A.
What makes it so great? All new employees get options at this financial-software maker, and everyone gets four days off with pay each year to perform community service.
31. J.M. Smucker
Best Companies rank: 47
No. of
Most common salaried job: Production Supervisor
Avg. pay in that job: $52,732
What makes it so great? Job seekers at this 111-year-old family firm are interviewed by eight to ten people. Once hired, they stay; 25% of the workforce has been here more than 16 years.
32. Herman Miller
Best Companies rank: 96
No. of
Most common salaried job: Engineer 3
Avg. pay in that job: $66,901
What makes it so great? The furniture pioneer values its history: 23% of the workforce is classified as "water carriers," people who have 20-plus years and carry the culture forward.
33. Paychex
Best Companies rank: 51
No. of
Most common salaried job: Sales Representative
Avg. pay in that job: N.A.
What makes it so great? With more than 100 locations offering payroll services for small and medium-sized businesses, training is key. The average: 107 hours per employee.
