12-02-2025
8 Arkansas employers among best in America, according to Forbes
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) — Eight Arkansas companies were ranked among the best in America, according to new reports from Forbes.
Forbes' rankings were produced in partnership with Statista, a market research firm. The annual rankings are the product of a survey of employees at U.S. companies that have more than 5,000 workers for the large companies. Those surveyed in the mid-size employers category work at companies with between 1,000 and 5,000 workers.
Those surveyed were asked to evaluate their employer based on different criteria, including salaries, mental health benefits, management diversity, working hours, etc.
701 companies made the list of the best large employers and 498 for the mid-size employers.
Little Rock-based poultry production company Mountaire Farms was the highest-ranked large employer in Arkansas coming in at 120th. Mountaire Farms employs 10,000 people at facilities in Arkansas, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia and North Carolina.
Arkansas Children's Hospital, based in Little Rock, was ranked 182nd and employs more than 5,000 people.
Fort Smith-based logistics company ArcBest ranked #364 on the list. It employs over 15,000 people and was founded in 1923.
Four Arkansas-based companies ranked in new Fortune 500
Arvest Bank, based in Springdale was ranked 494th. Arvest's Chief People Officer Laura Andress said they were honored to be recognized as a top employer for another year.
'Exceptional customer service begins with exceptional associates, and at Arvest, we have the best of the best,' Andress said. 'We are honored to be once again recognized for our unwavering commitment to fostering a positive work environment where our associates feel valued and inspired to be their best every day.'
Arvest says they have been featured in six editions of the rankings.
Lowell-based J.B. Hunt Transportation Services was the last Arkansas employer to be featured, ranked 636th.
Three Arkansas-based companies were included in the mid-size employer rankings, Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield at 45th, Oaklawn Racing Casino and Resort at 54th and Arkansas Heart Hospital at 221st.
For the full rankings of large and mid-size employers, visit
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