Southwest Airlines Named Arizona‘s Top Employer in Forbes Ranking
PHOENIX, AZ – September 24, 2025 – Southwest Airlines has been recognized as the best employer in Arizona, according to Forbes’ annual list released today. The Dallas-based airline topped the rankings for the state, marking a shift from last year’s leader, Marriott International, wich fell to No. 11. This is the first time in recent years a company headquartered outside of Arizona has claimed the top spot, signaling a competitive landscape for attracting and retaining talent.
The Forbes list,which identifies companies employees recommend to others,highlights a growing trend of public sector employers gaining recognition. notably,the City of Scottsdale and City of Phoenix both secured positions in the top 10,a departure from previous years when the list primarily featured for-profit organizations. This shift reflects a potential increase in employee satisfaction within government roles and a broader emphasis on work-life balance and benefits.
Here are the top 10 employers in Arizona, according to Forbes:
- Southwest Airlines (headquartered in Dallas)
- American Express (New York)
- Apple (Cupertino, California)
- Progressive (Mayfield Village, Ohio)
- Costco Wholesale (Issaquah, Washington)
- Microsoft (Redmond, Washington)
- Safelite AutoGlass (columbus, Ohio)
- City of Scottsdale (Scottsdale)
- Mayo Clinic (Rochester, Minnesota)
- City of Phoenix (Phoenix)
Beyond the overall rankings, several Arizona-based organizations also earned high marks. The City of Scottsdale ranked No. 8 overall in the state, while the City of Phoenix came in at No. 10. Arizona State University (No. 15), Salt river Project (No. 16), Grand Canyon University (no. 21), HonorHealth (No. 25), Tucson Medical Center (No. 29), Chandler Unified School District (No. 30), Mesa Public Schools (No. 32), and the City of Tucson (No. 33) were also recognized as top employers within the state.
The rankings are based on an autonomous survey of American workers, providing insights into company culture, opportunities for advancement, and overall employee satisfaction.