Forbes Names the Top 10 Employers in Kentucky for 2025
LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY – If you’re looking for the best place to work in Kentucky, Forbes has released its 2025 “America’s Best Employers by State” rankings, highlighting the companies employees rate highest for workplace culture, pay, and career growth.
The list was compiled in partnership with Statista, which surveyed more than 160,000 U.S. employees working for organizations with at least 500 staff members. The survey measured wage parity, advancement opportunities, and how employers address important issues in the workplace.
General Motors Tops the List
At the top of Kentucky’s rankings is General Motors, which operates major manufacturing facilities in the state and has long been a cornerstone employer in the automotive sector. Employees credited the company’s compensation and advancement structure as key reasons for its strong performance in the survey, according to Forbes’ state-by-state rankings.
The Top 10 Kentucky Employers
Here are the top companies named as Kentucky’s best employers for 2025:
- General Motors – Automotive
- Chewy – Retail & Wholesale
- Leggett & Platt – Electronics & Engineering
- Fidelity Investments – Banking & Financial Services
- Ashland – Chemicals & Raw Materials
- Norton Healthcare – Healthcare & Social Services
- Toyota North America – Automotive
- Citigroup – Banking & Financial Services
- Ford Motor – Automotive
- University of Kentucky – Education
The full list includes both Kentucky-based and out-of-state corporations with a significant workforce in the commonwealth, reflecting the state’s mix of manufacturing, healthcare, education, and financial services.
Kentucky in the National Spotlight
Kentucky’s employers join a much larger picture of national workplace leaders. Earlier this year, Forbes also released its list of the best large employers across the U.S., which included names such as University of Notre Dame, Trader Joe’s, Google, Microsoft, and In-N-Out Burger.
The recognition of employers like Norton Healthcare and the University of Kentucky underscores the importance of education and healthcare to Kentucky’s economy, while auto giants like GM, Toyota, and Ford highlight the state’s central role in U.S. manufacturing.
Forbes’ rankings provide employees and job seekers with valuable insight into workplace quality, helping them identify where they can grow their careers while enjoying a strong workplace culture.