Forget the fancy office perks for a minute. Sure, free snacks and ping pong tables are nice, but they're not what keep employees truly engaged and happy at work.
According to Forbes' newly released America's Best Midsize Employers 2026 list, the companies that employees love most aren't winning them over with flashy amenities—they're winning with meaningful work, genuine purpose, and thoughtful culture.
Purpose Over Perks
Take the New York Power Authority (NYPA), which landed at #10 on this year's list. Their employees aren't drawn to the job because of luxurious office spaces. Instead, they're working on 1,550 miles of power circuits and industrial facilities that literally keep the lights on across New York state.
"We find many employees are drawn to the meaning behind their work and the positive impact they can have," says Karina Saslow, NYPA's senior vice president of human resources. "Our focus on finding new, clean energy solutions is a journey that excites employees."
And NYPA backs up that sense of purpose with substantial development opportunities—tuition reimbursement, a custom MBA program, leadership training, and employee resource groups that give workers real influence.
The Numbers Behind the Rankings
Forbes partnered with research firm Statista to survey over 217,000 employees working at U.S. companies with more than 1,000 employees. Companies with 1,000-5,000 employees were classified as midsize, while those over 5,000 fell into the large employer category.
Employees rated their current employers on compensation, working conditions, benefits, flexibility, and career development. They also weighed in on previous employers and companies they knew through industry connections or personal networks. The top 1,200 organizations made the final cut—700 large employers and 500 midsize ones.
What the Top Companies Have in Common
The top 10 midsize employers span wildly different industries:
- Toll Brothers (Construction)
- Patagonia (Clothing)
- United Community (Financial Solutions)
- Medical Mutual of Ohio (Insurance)
- (Not specified in source)
- Businessolver (Benefits Software)
- (Not specified in source)
- Spotify Technology (Tech Services)
- Green Bay Packaging (Packaging)
- NYPA (Power)
Despite their differences, they share common threads: meaningful missions, genuine employee investment, and cultures built on trust.
Listening Actually Matters
At Medical Mutual of Ohio (#4), more than 90% of employees participate in regular surveys. But here's the key—the company actually acts on the feedback.
"Even small adjustments can significantly improve someone's daily experience," explains Andrea Hogben, chief marketing, corporate affairs and people officer. "When employees see that their feedback led to progress, it strengthens trust and engagement."
Solving Real Problems for Real People
For Businessolver (#6), which creates benefits software, employees find motivation in helping people during critical life moments.
"We're solving real problems for real people, often at moments that matter deeply in their lives," says Katie Carroll, vice president of product marketing and strategy. "That sense of purpose resonates strongly with employees."
The company has also embraced AI—not to replace workers, but to handle routine tasks so employees can focus on more meaningful customer interactions.
Spotify is taking a similar approach, building "humanized" AI across every division to reduce busywork and boost creativity and collaboration. "This represents a fundamental shift in how we operate as a company—how we think, how we create, and how we collaborate," says Anna Lundström, chief human resources officer.
Staying Small While Growing Big
One challenge midsize companies face? Maintaining culture while scaling up.
Green Bay Packaging (#9) tackled this by creating more than 40 local operations across the country. "We are proud to be a decentralized organization," says executive vice president Matt Szymanski. "This gives us the best of both worlds—the resources and stability of a large network, paired with the personal, responsive feel of a local business."
United Community (#3) echoes this sentiment. "As we've grown, one of our biggest priorities has been making sure growth strengthens our culture," says chief human resources officer Holly Berry. "That means being thoughtful about communication, clarity, and consistency."
It's Not All Serious
Of course, work should also be enjoyable. At Patagonia (#2), employees get paid "activism hours" and voting time off, plus flexible work arrangements that embrace their outdoor lifestyle.
"The title of our founder Yvon Chouinard's book sums it up: 'Let my people go surfing,'" says media engagement specialist Nathan Yamaguchi. "It's a metaphor for work-life balance. If your work is done and your deadlines are met, why not get outside while the sun's out?"
Spotify reimburses employees (affectionately called "bandmates") for concerts, workouts, and other activities through their Live Mix program. The company leans into its Swedish roots, creating a culture where people feel trusted and empowered.
"Our employee philosophy is deeply shaped by the belief people do their best work when they feel trusted, empowered to be creative, and have the ability to drive impact," Lundström explains.
The best midsize employers in America aren't competing on who has the fanciest office or the most elaborate perks. They're winning by offering something more fundamental: meaningful work, genuine development opportunities, responsive leadership, and cultures that actually walk the talk.
As the workplace continues to evolve, these companies prove that what employees really want is to feel valued, heard, and connected to work that matters.