Publix is not Florida’s best-ranked employer, study finds. Here’s who took No. 1

Forbes has released its list of the “best large employers” in America, breaking down the results on a state-by-state basis.

The study looks at the factors that workers appear to care about most in an employer, such as compensation, advancement opportunities, meaningful work and supportive colleagues.

According to Forbes, the study used survey responses from over thousands of employees at “large” companies — those that hire over 5,000 people — to determine which businesses were the best to work for.

“Survey respondents (who remained anonymous so they could answer freely) were asked if they would recommend their employer to others and to rate it based on a range of criteria, including salary, work environment, training programs and opportunities to advance,” the study reads. “Participants were also asked if they would recommend their previous employers (within the past two years) and the employers they knew through their industry experience or through friends or family who worked there.”

Nationwide, the top-ranked company was the University of Notre Dame in Indiana. In fact, the top five companies on the list were as follows:

• University of Notre Dame (Indiana)
• Trader Joe’s (California)
• Houston Methodist (Texas)
• NVIDIA (California)
• Navy Federal Credit Union (Virginia)

But among the Florida-based employers, the Sunshine State’s popular grocery chain Publix didn’t come out on top. Instead, that spot belongs to another company: Raymond James Financial.

The investment advisory firm — headquartered in St. Petersburg — was founded in 1962. Per the company’s website, associates are invited quarterly to share a breakfast or evening with the firm’s CEO, Paul Reilly, in a push to improve corporate fellowship and cultivate employees’ development.

“Raymond James is the kind of company where associates are encouraged to participate in events and celebrations throughout the year,” the company’s website reads. “Our unique corporate culture is part of what makes us an exceptional place to grow professionally and personally.”

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Meanwhile, Publix came in third among Florida-based employers, and No. 96 for the country at large.

Despite losing the top spot in this ranking, Publix managed to tie for the No. 1 spot as the most satisfying grocer in Florida, according to the latest American Customer Satisfaction Index. It shared the top placement with another top pick on Forbes’ list, Trader Joe’s.

Meanwhile, the remaining Florida-based companies included in Forbes’ study ranked as follows: