Who are the best employers in Kansas? Forbes ranked them based on worker surveys
Have you ever wondered how employers stack up against each other?
For the fifth year running, Forbes released its “America’s Best Employers by State” list, which was put together using surveys from 70,000 individuals in the U.S. who work for companies with more than 500 employees. The surveys asked them to rate their workplace on topics including work environment, gender pay equity, pride in the company and more.
Market research firm Statista worked with Forbes for the report. The surveys were anonymous, Forbes said, and companies did not pay to be ranked.
To find if an employer was ranked in the 2023 report from Forbes, you can either plug in the company name or you can search by U.S. state.
Here’s a look at the top five employers in Kansas, according to Forbes, as well as some Sedgwick County companies.
The best employers in Kansas
No. 1: The University of Kansas Health System
The University of Kansas Health System is an academic hospital located in Kansas City. According to its website, the facility ranked in U.S. World and News Reports’ top 50 programs for numerous specialties, including cancer, cardiology and orthopedics.
Founded in 1906, the hospital was also ranked the 45th best employer for women in the U.S., according to Forbes.
In its analysis, Forbes did not include the approximate numbers of employees for the University of Kansas Health Systems.
No. 2: Garmin
Garmin is a holding company founded in 1989 and headqaurtered in Switzerland with offices in Olathe, Kan. Forbes reports the company has about 19,700 employees.
The company produces navigation, communications and information devices, including popular personal fitness tracking devices.
No. 3: Kansas State University
Kansas State University is a four-year state institution founded in 1863. It has around 2,412 employees, according to Forbes. The school is located in Manhattan, Kan., and has other campuses in Salina and Olathe.
The university has more than 250 degree programs and an undergraduate enrollment exceeding 15,000, according to U.S. World and News Report.
No. 4: Olathe Public Schools
Olathe Public Schools was named the fourth best employer in the state, with about 3,909 employees, according to Forbes.
The district has a total of 51 schools educating more than 29,000 students, according to U.S. World News and Report.
No. 5: Blue Valley Schools
Another Kansas school district made the top five. Located in Overland Park, Leawood and Olathe, this school district has 3,305 employees, Forbes reports.
It has an enrollment of more than 22,000 students across 35 schools, according to U.S. World News and Report.
Best employers in Sedgwick County
Cargill and Textron Aviation were also among the top 10 employers in the state, according to the Forbes’ ranking.
Minnesota-based Cargill, ranked No. 6 in the state, boats 155,000 employees. Founded in 1865, the company started as a grain storage facility and now internationally produces and distributes agricultural products. The Cargill Protein headquarters can be found in Wichita on 825 E. Douglas.
Textron Aviation ranked eighth on Forbes’ list. The business magazine reports the company has 33,0000 employees. Located in Wichita at 1 Cessna Blvd., the company manufactures and services Cessna and Beechcraft aircraft.
Also in the top 10 were Pfizer, Bank of America and Marriott International.
