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New Ranking Reveals Which State has the Best Employers

ResumeBlaze,

Friday, October 6th, 2023

  • A new ranking has revealed which state is home to the highest-quality employers, according to worker reviews - California takes the crown 

  • The study analyzed Glassdoor data for over 1.3 million companies to identify where has the highest proportion of employers rated at least 4.5 stars 
     

  • While some states have better bosses than others, some sectors do too - with the legal field reporting the highest proportion of top-rated employers  
     

  • A recruitment expert, Darren Shafae, explains which red flags you should look out for when job hunting  - including a lack of employee reviews   
A new ranking has revealed which states are home to the best employers, based on employee reviews - with California crowned top and West Virginia placing last.   
The study, conducted by resume specialists ResumeBlaze, looked at the number of companies rated 4.5 stars and above in each state and then scaled this against the total number of jobs listed on Glassdoor, to see where has a better availability of top companies.   
As well as looking at which states had the best employers overall, they also analyzed where is best for specific anxieties – including work/life balance and career opportunities.   
Despite unemployment rates being at a half-century low (according to figures from the Federal Reserve), some people will still be looking to switch jobs before the festive season hits – and employer ratings is a key concern for many.   
California is named the state with the best employers with 21% of companies rated 4.5 stars and up – this means that they are rated 45% higher than the national average. Of the top-rated employers in this state, the area that they perform best in is diversity and inclusion.  
Diversity is about the representation of the company and the employees within it, whilst inclusion is about how well the perspectives of different people are valued in the workplace. Together, they create a workplace where everyone feels equally supported and valued.  
Florida is named the second-best state for employers with 19% of companies rated 4.5 stars and above, valued highest in diversity and inclusion within the workplace.   
The third best state for employees seeking high-quality companies is Texas, with 19% of employers rated 4.5 stars and higher.   

The ten states with the best employers ranked   

Rank
State 
Proportion of Companies Rated 4.5 Stars+ 
Top-Performing Area 
 
 
 
 
 
1 
 
 
 
 
California 
 
 
 
 
21.2% 
 
 
 
 
Diversity and Inclusion 
 
 
 
 
 
2 
 
 
 
 
Florida 
 
 
 
 
19.1% 
 
 
 
 
Diversity and Inclusion 
 
 
 
 
 
3 
 
 
 
 
Texas 
 
 
 
 
19.1% 
 
 
 
 
Diversity and Inclusion 
 
 
 
 
 
4 
 
 
 
 
Utah 
 
 
 
 
18.7% 
 
 
 
 
Culture and Values 
 
 
 
 
 
5 
 
 
 
 
New York 
 
 
 
 
17.5% 
 
 
 
 
Diversity and Inclusion 
 
 
 
 
 
6 
 
 
 
 
Massachusetts
 
 
 
 
17.4% 
 
 
 
 
Culture and Values 
Work/Life Balance 
 
 
 
 
 
7 
 
 
 
 
Washington 
 
 
 
 
17.0% 
 
 
 
 
Diversity and Inclusion 
 
 
 
 
 
8 
 
 
 
 
Virginia 
 
 
 
 
16.6% 
 
 
 
 
Diversity and Inclusion 
 
 
 
 
 
9 
 
 
 
 
Colorado 
 
 
 
 
16.4% 
 
 
 
 
Culture and Values 
Work/Life Balance 
 
 
 
 
 
10 
 
 
 
 
New Jersey 
 
 
 
 
16.0% 
 
 
 
 
Diversity and Inclusion  

On the other end of the scale, West Virginia is placed last, with only 9.7% of companies rated 4.5 stars and above - a 54% decrease in satisfaction compared to California. Along with this, the area of concern with the lowest rating is in compensation and benefits.   

The second worst state is New Mexico with just 10.9% rating 4.5, and North Dakota comes in third worst with 10.8%.   
As well as looking at which states have the most top-quality employers, the analysis also looked at which job sectors have the best ratings - with the legal field named top. 
The second and third best job sectors are education with 18.4% and retail and food services with 18%. It is surprising that retail and food services are placed in the top three, given the intense and demanding nature of the jobs in that field.   

Interestingly, the job sector with the lowest proportion of high-quality employers is military and protective services, with just 5% rated 4.5 stars and above. It also has a 66% decrease in employee fulfilment compared to other sectors.