8 Birmingham Employers Named Best in the U.S. by Forbes

Regions Bank, UAB, Vulcan Materials, and others make Forbes' annual lists of top companies to work for.

Feb. 25, 2026 at 3:39pm

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Eight of Birmingham's largest employers were named among the best companies to work at in the country, according to Forbes' annual list. Four were named to the best 'large employers' list (5,000+ employees), and the remaining four are on the 'mid-size employers' list (1,000 to 5,000 employees). In total, 16 Alabama companies made Forbes' lists this year.

Why it matters

These rankings highlight Birmingham's strong business community and the city's ability to attract and retain top talent. The recognition from Forbes showcases Birmingham as an attractive place to work, which can help local companies recruit skilled employees and continue to grow.

The details

To determine which employers make it on Forbes' lists, more than 217,000 employees working at companies within the U.S. with more than 1,000 employees were surveyed anonymously. The survey asked respondents about their willingness to recommend their employer, as well as factors like salary, benefits, advancement opportunities, and work environment. Survey data from the last three years was used, with more recent employee feedback weighted more heavily.

  • Forbes released its annual lists of best employers in February 2026.

The players

UAB

A public research university and academic health center located in Birmingham, Alabama.

Regions

A regional bank headquartered in Birmingham that operates in 15 states across the South, Midwest and Texas.

Vulcan Materials

The nation's largest producer of construction aggregates, a major producer of asphalt mix and concrete, and a leading producer of cement in Florida.

Hibbett Sports

A sporting goods retailer that operates over 1,000 stores across the United States, headquartered in Birmingham.

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama

A health insurance provider that is the largest private health insurance company in Alabama.

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What they’re saying

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee

The takeaway

These rankings showcase Birmingham's thriving business community and the city's ability to attract and retain top talent across a diverse range of industries. The recognition from Forbes highlights Birmingham as an attractive place to work, which can help local companies continue to grow and succeed.