Dream jobs alert! Employees name the 5 best companies to work for in 2026

A recent national survey conducted by Energage in partnership with USA TODAY has identified the top companies in the United States that employees consider the best workplaces for 2026. The survey evaluated over 2,300 companies with at least 150 employees, assessing key factors valued by workers such as pay and benefits, leadership, sense of purpose, and appreciation.

Out of these, 1,661 companies were recognized for their outstanding performance in these areas. The top five companies leading the list among large employers are Fannie Mae and Fairway Home Mortgage Corp, both operating in the mortgage industry; Plante Moran, a certified public accounting and consulting firm; Progressive Insurance; and The Baldwin Group.

Notably, four of these organizations were also ranked within the top five in 2025, indicating consistent high standards in employee experience. The rankings are part of the “USA TODAY Top Workplaces” awards, which categorize companies by size, from smaller ones with fewer than 499 employees to larger firms exceeding 2,500 employees.

Leadership Perspective

Eric Rubino, CEO of Energage, emphasized that achieving a placement on this list signifies excellence beyond business performance. He highlighted that such recognition underscores the importance of a people-focused workplace in driving success.

Employee Priorities and Workplace Excellence

This survey reflects current employee priorities and showcases organizations that excel at providing rewarding work environments aligned with those values.

Key Takeaways

  • Energage and USA TODAY’s national survey assessed over 2,300 US companies for the best workplaces in 2026.
  • 1,661 companies were recognized for outstanding employee experience factors like pay, leadership, and appreciation.
  • The top five large employers include Fannie Mae, Fairway Home Mortgage Corp, Plante Moran, Progressive Insurance, and The Baldwin Group.
  • Four top companies also ranked highly in 2025, showing consistent employee satisfaction.
  • CEO Eric Rubino highlighted that people-focused workplaces drive business success.