In a year dominated by talk of AI and technological advancements, the top two best places to work in the U.S. might come as a surprise—they’re notably AI-free. Crew Carwash, an Indianapolis-based chain with 55 Midwest locations, claimed the number one spot on Glassdoor’s 2026 Best Places to Work list. In-N-Out Burger, the beloved burger chain with over 400 locations, climbed one spot to rank second.
But don’t count tech out just yet. While these traditional industries took the top spots, tech and AI companies still made a significant showing, accounting for nearly one-quarter of the top 100 companies. NVIDIA, in particular, secured the third spot. However, the tech industry’s representation on the list has declined in recent years, reflecting changing dynamics within these companies.
Glassdoor chief economist Daniel Zhao explained to CBS News, “This is part of an ongoing trend where many tech employers are trimming some of the things that made the job so appealing over the last year. They are pushing harder and harder on efficiency and productivity.”
The Best Tech and AI Companies
Beyond Nvidia, ServiceNow and EPAM Systems rounded out the top three on a new list dedicated to the best tech and AI companies. These companies are redefining what it means to be “tech-first” by scaling rapidly while maintaining a human element in the workplace, according to a recent blog post.
Uncertainty in the Job Market
The past year has introduced new career trends that highlight the uncertainty many workers face. Concepts like “job hugging,” where employees stay put in their current roles, and “Shrekking,” where workers take jobs beneath their qualifications, have emerged. In 2025, U.S. employers added only 584,000 new jobs, a significant drop from the two million added in 2024 and marking the worst year for job growth since the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.
Glassdoor’s 18th annual ranking honors companies that employees love working for, based on feedback provided on the platform. This recognition comes at a time when many employees are disillusioned with work, and overall U.S. employee engagement is at a decade low.
Owen Humphries, president at Glassdoor, stated, “Even amid the uncertainty of 2025, these standout employers have shown resilience, sustaining high levels of employee satisfaction and trust as they navigate change.”
The Power of Employee Reviews
Bragging rights for companies with 1,000 employees or more are based entirely on anonymous employee reviews posted on Glassdoor between October 2024 and October 2025. There’s no nomination process or employee survey involved.
Focus on Workplace Culture
Identifying employers that excel in workplace culture is central to the ranking. This year’s winners, despite operating in vastly different industries, share a common theme: they’ve operationalized their cultural values. According to Glassdoor, “The best workplaces in 2026 aren’t doing anything revolutionary. They’re doing the fundamentals exceptionally well—and doing them consistently, even when it’s hard.”
Shakeups on the List
Each year brings changes, with some employers falling off the list to make room for newcomers like Alaska Airlines and Dutch Bros. Notable shifts include Bain, the top-ranked employer in 2025, falling to the eighth spot—its lowest ranking ever. San Francisco-area companies also saw a decline in representation, with only 13 making this year’s list compared to 23 in 2025. Conversely, New York-area employers are rising in employee satisfaction, with 10 companies represented this year, up from six last year.
Hiring Activity
The annual list not only tracks shifts among the best employers but also aims to help job seekers navigate a competitive market. As of December, the average duration of unemployment has crept up to more than 24 weeks. Combined, this year’s top 10 employers—Crew Carwash, In-N-Out, Nvidia, Ryan, Keller Williams, Mars, ServiceNow, Bain, Houston Methodist, and EPAM Systems—currently have over 11,000 active job postings on Glassdoor.
These awards serve as a “trusted guide” for job seekers, Humphries said, helping them “connect with workplaces that reflect their values and career ambitions.”
In an ever-changing job market, these insights provide valuable direction for both employers and employees alike.