Best Employers in Illinois 2025: Forbes Ranks the Top 10

Forbes has released its annual list of America’s Best Employers by State for 2025, and job seekers in Illinois now have fresh insight into where employees are happiest.

The rankings are based on surveys of more than 169,000 workers, who rated their companies on everything from pay and advancement to work culture and handling of serious workplace issues.

Why a Dallas Airline Tops Illinois’ List

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Even though Southwest Airlines is headquartered in Dallas, it takes the top spot in Illinois. That’s because Forbes ranks companies by how well they’re rated by employees working within each state, not where the corporate office sits.

The Top 10 Employers in Illinois for 2025

Here’s the full countdown of the highest-rated employers in Illinois, according to Forbes:

1. Southwest Airlines – Transportation & Logistics
2. Apple – Semiconductors & Electronics
3. Google – IT Software & Services
4. Fidelity Investments – Banking & Financial Systems
5. University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics Authority – Healthcare & Social Services
6. Costco Wholesale – Retail & Wholesale
7. Salesforce – IT Software & Services
8. Silver Cross Hospital – Healthcare & Social Services
9. IBM – IT Software & Services
10. Sarah Bush Lincoln Health System – Healthcare & Social Services

MORE: 5 Most Expensive Places to Live In Illinois

Where to Learn More

The list reflects four years of survey data, with extra weight given to recent responses from Illinois employees. To see the full methodology and how other states rank, visit Forbes.com.

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