Looking for work? Check out these top-rated California companies, Forbes says
Want a new job? A California-based music company is one of the top employers in the country, according to Forbes
The media company recently ranked the best large and mid-sized employers in the United States, surveying workers about their favorite places to work.
Universal Music Group was the highest-ranked California company on Forbes’ list of the top businesses with 1,000 to 5,000 employees, landing at No. 9 in the nation.
“Research over the past decade has shown that employees have remained relatively steadfast when asked what they care about most in an employer: compensation, employee development and advancement opportunities, meaningful work, supportive colleagues and workplace well-being and flexibility,” Forbes said.
Employees at top-rated companies particularly value a “positive company image” and good working conditions, Forbes found, “suggesting that when organizations provide workers with a safe and comfortable environment and appropriate equipment, employees feel valued.”
Here are the best mid-size employers in California, according to Forbes:
What makes Universal the best midsize employer in California?
Founded in 1995, Universal Music Group advertises itself as the “world’s leading music company.”
It’s one of three major record labels operating in the industry, along with Sony Music Entertainment and Warner Music Group, according to Billboard magazine.
Although Universal Music Group’s corporate headquarters are in The Netherlands, the company’s operational headquarters can be found in Santa Monica.
Universal Music Group has a total of 10,290 employees and brought in $12 billion in revenue in 2024, according to Forbes.
Reviewers on Indeed.com described Universal Music Group as a “great place to work” with “very supportive” staff members, fulfilling duties and a fast-paced, hands-on learning environment.
Universal Music Group was the only California company to land on Forbes’ list of the top 10 midsize employers in the nation, although a total of three California universities earned spots in the top 20.
California Institute of Technology was No. 11, Forbes said, while Sacramento State was No. 13 and California State University, Los Angeles, was No. 16.
What are the best midsize employers in California?
These 10 companies headquartered in California landed highest on Forbes’ list of the best midsize employers in the United States:
- Universal Music Group
- Caltech
- California State University, Sacramento
- California State University, Los Angeles
- AirBnB
- Marvell Technology
- Patagonia
- Electronic Arts
- The Aerospace Corporation
- Rand Corporation
What are the top 10 midsize employers in the US?
These were the top 10 midsize employers in the United States, according to Forbes:
- Shriners Hospitals for Children
- Federal Communications Commission
- Western Carolina University
- Toll Brothers
- Financial Industry Regulatory Authority
- BI Worldwide
- Morningstar
- Excellus BlueCross BlueShield
- Universal Music Group
- Silver Cross Hospital
How did Forbes come up with company rankings?
To produce the 10th anniversary edition of its America’s Best Midsize Employers list, Forbes partnered with market research firm Statista.
The 2025 rankings were based primarily on survey responses from more than 217,000 employees working at companies within the United States that employ more than 1,000 people.
Survey respondents were asked if they would recommend their employer to others and to rate the company based on criteria including salary, work environment, training programs and opportunities to advance.
Participants were also asked if they would recommend recent employers or the employers they knew through their industry connections, friends or family members.
“The responses were tallied and analyzed along with additional survey data from the last three years,” Forbes said.
This story was originally published April 6, 2025 at 5:00 AM with the headline "Looking for work? Check out these top-rated California companies, Forbes says."
