What are the best employers in Kentucky? Forbes ranked a Lexington institution No. 1
Three Lexington-based companies made Forbes’ ranking of the 50 best employers in Kentucky, with the University of Kentucky taking the top spot.
Forbes recently released its fifth annual “America’s Best Employers by State” list, compiled using anonymous surveys from 70,000 employees in the U.S. working for companies with more than 50 workers. The surveys asked each participant to rate their workplace on a variety of topics including work environment, gender pay equity, pride in the company’s product and more.
Companies did not pay to get ranked, the business media company said. Forbes worked alongside market research firm Statista for the report.
To search the full list, you can find an employer by either plugging in the company’s name or searching by state.
The best employers in Lexington
With 12,000 employees, the University of Kentucky took the No. 1 spot as the best employer in the state.
The public, four-year institution is the largest university in the state, according to Forbes. The school had a total enrollment of more than 30,000 students for the fall 2021 semester, with an undergraduate enrollment of about 22,000, according to the U.S. World News and Report.
UK HealthCare is the next top-rated Lexington employer, taking the 15th spot statewide. Forbes reports the university’s medical system and teaching hospital has around 9,000 employees.
A third Lexington employer also made the ranking. Fayette County Public Schools ranked 44th in the state. The school system, which serves Lexington families and children, employs more than 5,600 people.
Forbes’ best five employers in Kentucky
Here’s a look at the companies that took the top five spots, according to Forbes’ analysis of employee surveys.
University of Kentucky: Founded in 1865, UK, located in Lexington, offers an excess of 200 degree programs.
U.S. Department of Treasury: The U.S. Department of Treasury takes the second spot on the best employers list for its operations in the commonwealth. Forbes reports the government agency has 100,000 employees.
Norton Healthcare: Based in Louisville, Forbes reports Norton Healthcare has 18,000 employees. It was founded in 1886 and has several clinics and immediate care centers in the city.
Microsoft: Forbes reports the software company is the state’s fourth best employer and has 122,000 workers. Microsoft is based in Redmond, Wash., and was founded in 1975.
Flower Foods: With just over 13,000 employees, this food company is based in Thomasville, Ga., and takes fifth place on Forbes’ Kentucky list. The company was founded in 1919.
Other Louisville-based employers that made Forbes’ ranking include Baptist Health at No. 8, Humana at No. 9, Brown-Forman at No. 13, Texas Roadhouse at No. 18, the University of Louisville at No. 24 and Kentucky One Health at No. 31.
You can read more about the methodology Forbes used online.
Do you have a question about employment in Kentucky for our service journalism team? We’d like to hear from you. Fill out our Know Your Kentucky form or email ask@herad-leader.com.
