Choosing the best company to apply for is different for everyone. You may find different elements are important to you compared to the next person in line.
But U.S. News & World Report took a shot at it, and some of the best companies they found to work for are right here in the Sunshine State.
“We looked at companies and how well they support their employees with metrics including quality of pay and benefits, work-life balance, professional development, and physical and psychological comfort,” the site said.
Here are the four best Florida companies to work for in 2024-2025, based on quality of pay.
Carnival
If you’ve taken a cruise out of Florida, you know Carnival.
Founded in 1972, the cruise company grew into a massive global entertainment company with over 100,000 employees, according to its corporate site. “The World’s Most Popular Cruise Line” went public in 1987 and combined with P&O Princess Cruises plc in 2003 to become one of the largest leisure travel companies in the world world.
U.S. News singled the company out for the top quality of pay, ranking it a 5 out of 5, and a wide variety of perks including matching 401(k) contributions, tuition assistance, adoption assistance, primary caregiver leave and more, plus work opportunities outside the United States.
Here’s how U.S. News & World Report ranked Carnival, on a scale of 0-5.
- Quality of pay: 5
- Work-life balance: 3
- Stability: 3
- Comfort: 4
- Belongingness: 3
- Professional development: 5
L3Harris
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Melbourne-based L3Harris Technologies is a defense and technology company formed by the 2019 merger of L3 Technologies and Harris Corp that provides tech for air, land, sea, space and cyber domains.  It’s among one of the largest U.S. defense contractors behind Lockheed Martin, RTX (formerly Raytheon), Northrop Grumman, Boeing and General Dynamics, according to Defense News.Â
L3Harris employs about 50,000 people worldwide. U.S. News ranked them highly in nearly all its categories, but the company announced layoffs in April in a cost-cutting move designed “to streamline our operations,” the defense and aerospace company said in a statement.
Here’s how U.S. News & World Report ranked L3Harris, on a scale of 0-5.
- Quality of pay: 4
- Work-life balance: 4
- Stability: 4
- Comfort: 3
- Belongingness: 4
- Professional development: 3
SBA Communications Corporation
Founded in 1989 and based in Boca Raton, SBA Communications Corporation is a real estate investment trust that owns and operates wireless communications infrastructure on several continents and is one of the world’s largest cell phone tower companies.
Here’s how U.S. News & World Report ranked SBA, on a scale of 0-5.
- Quality of pay: 5
- Work-life balance: 4
- Stability: 4
- Comfort: 5
- Belongingness: 4
- Professional development: 5
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Spirit Airlines
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Spirit Airlines entered the air travel world in 1992 and relocated from Michigan to Miramar, Florida in 1999. Known for its no-frills approach and cheap(ish) rates, Spirit recently dropped its change and cancellation fees, raised its checked bag maximum weight and extended flight credits, and continues to add new flights.
Here’s how U.S. News & World Report ranked Spirit Airlines, on a scale of 0-5.
- Quality of pay: 5
- Work-life balance: 3
- Stability: 3
- Comfort: 3
- Belongingness: 4
- Professional development: 5