Fortune compiles this list every year by interviewing employees of hundreds of companies nationwide. The survey asks employees to evaluate trust in management, pride in work and the company, and camaraderie. Of the 100 companies named in 2004, nearly half of them have a presence of some sort in the greater Phoenix area. These pages contain the lists and the links to the "Best Places to Work For" in the greater Phoenix area. I've included what kind of jobs you might expect to find in Arizona, a brief comment about what makes them one of the best companies to work for, and what their ranking was on the list last year. If you are looking for a new career, one of these companies could be an option for you.
Best Places to Work 2004: Companies Ranked 1-50
Rank 4: EdwardJones
Brokers
No layoffs in 34 years
Last year's ranking: 1
Rank 7: TDIndustries
Plumbing, sheet metal, piping
All employees get 100% tuition reimbursement at state college
Last year's ranking: 7
Rank 8: SAS Institute
Administration
Child care, gym, health clinic
Last year's ranking: 19
Rank 10: Xilinx
Sales
Avoids layoffs
Last year's ranking: 4
Rank 12: W.L. Gore & Associates
Engineers, sales
No titles, workers choose projects
Last year's ranking: 27
Rank 22: Pella
In AZ retail workers only
Profit sharing, scholarships
Last year's ranking: 12
Rank 24: REI
Retail sales
Profit sharing, discounts on gear
Last year's ranking: 73
Rank 25: Microsoft
Sales
Team spirit, perks, lots of benefits
Last year's ranking: 20
Rank 28: Cisco Systems
Sales
Employees have a say in company vision
Last year's ranking: 24
Rank 34: Starbucks
Customer service
Benefits, free coffee
Last year's ranking: 47
Rank 35: Mayo Clinic
IT, administrative, medical
Nice work environment
Last year's ranking: Not ranked last year
Rank 36: American Express
Call center, financial advisor, travel counselor
Sabbaticals
Last year's ranking: 36
Rank 37: VHA
Health care
Tuition reimbursement, matching 401(k)
Last year's ranking: 49
Rank 38: Mitre
Engineers (Tucson)
Flex schedules, tuition reimbursement
Last year's ranking: 89
Rank 40: SRA International
Software engineers, analysts
Onsite clinics, reimbursment for taking public transit
Last year's ranking: 37
Rank 44: Hot Topic
Retail sales
Allows employees to dress the part, contests
Last year's ranking: Not ranked last year
Rank 46: Intel
Software engineers, technicians
Job shifting, telecommuting, sabbatical
Last year's ranking: 28
Rank 47: Whole Foods Market
Retail sales
Benefits, stock options, profit sharing
Last year's ranking: 32
Rank 48: Network Appliance
Sales, engineers
Perks, sense of humor
Last year's ranking: 39
Next Page >> Best Places to Work 2004: Companies Ranked 51-100
