7 in region make Forbes’ Best Large Employers list

Forbes released its 2026 “Best Large Employers” list this week, and it includes a handful of organizations from the region. Among them are three publicly traded companies, two health care systems, a university and a grocer.

To qualify for the ranking, Forbes partnered with research firm Statista to analyze surveys from workers at organizations with more than 5,000 employees. Participants rated their employers across a variety of criteria, including salary, work environment, benefits and opportunities for advancement. Responses were analyzed along with survey data from the last three years, with the more recent surveys weighted more heavily. 

In all, 700 companies made the Forbes Best Large Employers list for 2026. Topping the rankings was Trader Joe’s, which is based in Monrovia, California. Founded in 1967, the company has 50,000 employees and more than 450 stores nationwide.

A fellow grocer was the highest-ranking large employer in the region. Publix Super Markets, based in Lakeland, came in at No. 119. It has 260,000 employees and operates more than 1,200 stores across Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Alabama, Tennessee and Virginia. The employee-owned company was founded in 1930.

Not far behind on the list was Tampa General Hospital at No. 135. The Tampa-based health care system has 12,409 employees working at its 1,040-bed academic medical center in Tampa and satellite locations across Hillsborough, Pasco, Pinellas and Palm Beach counties. The organization began in 1927.

First Watch Restaurants, headquartered in east Manatee County, ranked No. 176. Founded in 1983, the daytime dining company (Nasdaq: FWRG) has 14,000 employees. 

St. Petersburg-based Raymond James Financial (NYSE: RJF) came in at No. 183. The banking and financial services firm, founded in 1962, has 19,000 workers.

Sarasota Memorial Health Care System ranked No. 189. Founded in 1925 in Sarasota, the organization has 10,500 employees. It operates two full-service hospitals, two freestanding emergency rooms. a rehabilitation hospital, behavioral health hospital, skilled nursing facility and network of outpatient centers.

University of South Florida, in Tampa, was No. 233 on the list. USF, which began in 1956, employs 16,000 people at campuses in Tampa, St. Petersburg, Sarasota-Manatee and USF Health.

Roper Technologies, based in Lakewood Ranch came in No. 323. Founded in 1890, the company (Nasdaq: ROP) has 18,200 employees.