How we make this list: we compare pricing pages, product documentation and public user reviews. Ratings come from G2, Capterra or Trustpilot, with the date we checked them.
Key takeaways
- This article interprets "best Chicago companies to work" as best employers to work for in Chicago, based on workplace rankings and employee feedback.
- AbbVie ranks first on the 2026 Fortune Best Workplaces in Chicago list for large companies, with employees praising parental leave, unlimited sick days and development investment.
- Hyatt Hotels Corporation ranks second, with managers prioritising individual growth through regular check-ins and development plans.
- BDO USA ranks third, W.W. Grainger fourth, and Encore fifth on the same large-company list.
- Motorola Solutions, Deloitte and Accenture round out this list with strong Chicago presences, employee ratings of 4.2, 3.8 and 3.7 on Glassdoor in recent snapshots.
- Salaries, benefits and ratings change, so every figure here should be checked against current listings before applying, and all prices are Not applicable since these are employers, not products.
Quick comparison
| Tool | Best for | Starting price | Free plan |
|---|
 AbbVie | Best overall Chicago workplace | Not applicable | Not applicable |
 Hyatt Hotels Corporation | Hospitality careers | Not applicable | Not applicable |
 BDO USA | Accounting and advisory careers | Not applicable | Not applicable |
 W.W. Grainger | Industrial supply careers | Not applicable | Not applicable |
 Encore | Events and production careers | Not applicable | Not applicable |
 Motorola Solutions | Safety technology careers | Not applicable | Not applicable |
 Deloitte | Professional services careers | Not applicable | Not applicable |
 Accenture | Technology consulting careers | Not applicable | Not applicable |
Is your product missing or out of date?
We review this list regularly. Vendors can request a listing, send updated pricing or ask about featured placement.
The best Chicago companies to work
Starting priceNot applicable
Free planNot applicable
AbbVie ranks first on the 2026 Fortune Best Workplaces in Chicago list for large companies, based on a survey of 1.3 million US employees representing companies employing more than 7.3 million US workers. Employees say the AbbVie culture truly focuses on caring about you as a whole person, both professionally and personally, with great parental leave, unlimited sick days, and leadership that works with you if something pops up in your personal life.
When big events happen, leadership rallies teams to support employees, and AbbVie invests in development through several avenues, creating new opportunities where none exist with the right leader. Based in North Chicago, it suits biopharma, research and corporate professionals, though specialist qualifications limit some roles.
What we like- Ranked first on 2026 Fortune Best Workplaces in Chicago large list
- Great parental leave
- Unlimited sick days
- Development investment
Watch out for- Biopharma roles need specialist qualifications
- North Chicago location suits suburban commuters more
- Large-company process
Starting priceNot applicable
Free planNot applicable
Hyatt Hotels Corporation ranks second on the 2026 Fortune Best Workplaces in Chicago large list, headquartered in Chicago. Employees say what makes the company special is the strong sense of support and collaboration across teams, with managers prioritising individual growth through regular check-ins and development plans, and colleagues genuinely celebrating each other wins.
There is a shared commitment to hospitality, both internally and externally, creating a positive and inclusive work culture. Hospitality hours include weekends and holidays for hotel roles, while corporate roles at headquarters follow more standard schedules.
What we like- Ranked second on 2026 Fortune Best Workplaces in Chicago large list
- Strong support and collaboration
- Growth through check-ins and plans
Watch out for- Hospitality hours include weekends and holidays
- Hotel roles vary by property
- Corporate roles concentrated in Chicago HQ
#3
BDO USA
Best for: Accounting and advisory careers
Visit bdo.com
Starting priceNot applicable
Free planNot applicable
BDO USA ranks third on the 2026 Fortune Best Workplaces in Chicago large list, as a large accounting and advisory firm with a major Chicago presence. It offers accounting, tax, audit and advisory careers with professional development, CPA support and client exposure across industries.
Busy season hours are a known drawback in accounting, and client service pressure runs high during filing periods. For accounting and advisory professionals who want a top Chicago workplace, BDO USA is a leading choice.
What we like- Ranked third on 2026 Fortune Best Workplaces in Chicago large list
- Accounting, tax and advisory careers
- Professional development
Watch out for- Busy season hours in accounting
- Client service pressure
- Large-firm process
Starting priceNot applicable
Free planNot applicable
W.W. Grainger ranks fourth on the 2026 Fortune Best Workplaces in Chicago large list, as a leading industrial supply company headquartered in the Chicago area. It offers corporate roles in technology, marketing, finance and supply chain, plus operations roles in distribution and customer service.
Industrial focus suits some professionals less than tech or finance, and operations roles may include shift work. For supply chain, operations and corporate professionals, Grainger is a leading Chicago employer.
What we like- Ranked fourth on 2026 Fortune Best Workplaces in Chicago large list
- Industrial supply leader
- Broad corporate and operations roles
Watch out for- Industrial focus suits some professionals less
- Operations roles include shift work
- Large-company process
Starting priceNot applicable
Free planNot applicable
Encore ranks fifth on the 2026 Fortune Best Workplaces in Chicago large list, as an events and production company serving hotels, venues and corporate events. It offers creative and technical careers in event production, audiovisual, staging and hospitality services, suiting people who enjoy live events and varied workdays.
Event hours include evenings and weekends, and project-based work varies by season, so income and schedules fluctuate more than office roles. For events and production professionals, Encore is a leading Chicago employer.
What we like- Ranked fifth on 2026 Fortune Best Workplaces in Chicago large list
- Events and production creativity
- Hospitality-adjacent careers
Watch out for- Event hours include evenings and weekends
- Project-based work varies by season
- Smaller brand recognition than top four
Starting priceNot applicable
Free planNot applicable
Motorola Solutions is headquartered in Chicago, with a long history of innovation stretching back to developing one of the first successful car radios, and it provides communication and security technology that connects businesses and emergency services. It holds a 4.2 out of 5 Glassdoor rating, with 85 percent of employees saying they would recommend the company to a friend, and reviews highlight flexible work schedules, office culture and benefits.
For business school graduates, it offers structured pathways into operational and commercial leadership, with product management base pay of $112,000 to $158,000, sales of $132,000 to $245,000, and finance of $90,000 to $169,000 in one guide. For safety technology careers in Chicago, Motorola Solutions is a leading employer.
What we like- Headquartered in Chicago
- 4.2 out of 5 Glassdoor rating
- 85 percent would recommend
- Flexible schedules and benefits praised
Watch out for- Safety-critical focus suits some professionals less
- Product roles need technical background
- Large-company process
Starting priceNot applicable
Free planNot applicable
Deloitte holds a 3.8 Glassdoor rating in a Chicago snapshot, with 10,000 plus employees in Chicago, as a global professional services firm offering consulting, audit, tax and advisory careers. Its Chicago offices serve major clients across industries, with structured training, mentorship and promotion paths.
Client service hours can be long during busy periods, and its rating sits below the top-ranked Chicago workplaces on the Fortune list. For professional services careers with broad client exposure, Deloitte remains a leading Chicago employer.
What we like- 3.8 Glassdoor rating in Chicago snapshot
- 10,000 plus employees in Chicago
- Broad consulting, audit, tax and advisory roles
Watch out for- Client service hours can be long
- Large-firm process
- Rating below top-ranked Chicago workplaces
Starting priceNot applicable
Free planNot applicable
Accenture holds a 3.7 Glassdoor rating in a Chicago snapshot, with 10,000 plus employees in Chicago, as a leading global professional services company helping businesses, governments and other organisations build their digital core, optimise operations and accelerate revenue growth. It employs about 791,000 people serving clients in more than 120 countries, with technology at the core of change today.
Its work spans strategy and consulting, technology, operations, Industry X and Song, with a culture of shared success and 360-degree value. Consulting travel and hours can be demanding, and its rating sits below the Fortune top five. For technology consulting careers in Chicago, Accenture is a leading employer.
What we like- 3.7 Glassdoor rating in Chicago snapshot
- 10,000 plus employees in Chicago
- About 791,000 people globally
- Technology, cloud, data and AI work
Watch out for- Consulting travel and hours
- Large-firm process
- Rating below top-ranked Chicago workplaces
How we chose
We compared employers on Fortune Best Workplaces in Chicago 2026 rankings, Glassdoor ratings and Chicago presence, using Great Place To Work survey data covering 1.3 million US employees. AbbVie, Hyatt, BDO USA, Grainger and Encore lead the large-company list, while Motorola Solutions, Deloitte and Accenture add strong Chicago presences with published Glassdoor ratings. Ratings and rankings change annually, so we reported the 2026 snapshot and wrote Not applicable for prices, since these are employers, not products. We did not claim hands-on employment experience at these firms.
Choosing a Chicago employer
Start from your field, not the ranking alone. A biopharma professional suits AbbVie, a hospitality professional suits Hyatt or Encore, an accounting professional suits BDO USA or Deloitte, a supply chain professional suits Grainger, a safety technology professional suits Motorola Solutions, and a technology consultant suits Accenture. Check the specific team and manager, since workplace experience varies more by team than by company-wide ranking.
Compare total compensation, not just base pay, including bonuses, equity, benefits, parental leave and development support, since AbbVie parental leave and unlimited sick days matter as much as salary for many employees. Finally, check commute and hybrid policy, since North Chicago, downtown Chicago and suburban offices differ sharply in commute time, and a top-ranked employer with a painful commute may suit you less than a slightly lower-ranked one nearby.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best company to work for in Chicago?
AbbVie ranks first on the 2026 Fortune Best Workplaces in Chicago large-company list, followed by Hyatt, BDO USA, Grainger and Encore. Motorola Solutions, Deloitte and Accenture also offer strong Chicago careers with published Glassdoor ratings.
How is the Fortune Best Workplaces in Chicago list chosen?
Great Place To Work selects the list by surveying 1.3 million US employees, representing companies employing more than 7.3 million US workers. Companies earn eligibility by being Great Place To Work Certified, having at least 10 US employees, and having headquarters in the Chicago region.
What makes AbbVie the top Chicago workplace?
Employees praise its culture of caring about the whole person, great parental leave, unlimited sick days, leadership support during personal events, and investment in development through several avenues, including creating new opportunities where none exist.
Should I choose a company by Glassdoor rating alone?
No, Glassdoor ratings reflect averages across teams, roles and time periods, and a 4.2 rating at Motorola Solutions versus 3.7 at Accenture does not guarantee a better experience on your specific team. Check team reviews, manager reputation and role-specific feedback before deciding.
Do Chicago employers offer hybrid work?
Hybrid policies vary by company, team and role, with corporate roles more likely to offer hybrid schedules than hotel, operations or event roles that need on-site presence. Confirm the specific team policy during interviews, since company-wide statements hide team differences.
What salaries do Chicago employers pay?
Salaries vary widely by field and level: Motorola Solutions product management base pay runs $112,000 to $158,000, sales $132,000 to $245,000, and finance $90,000 to $169,000 in one guide. Check current listings for your role, since figures change with market conditions.
Sources we checked (10)
- https://www.abbvie.com
- https://www.hyatt.com
- https://www.bdo.com
- https://www.grainger.com
- https://www.encoreglobal.com
- https://www.motorolasolutions.com
- https://www.deloitte.com
- https://www.accenture.com
- https://www.greatplacetowork.com/best-workplaces/chicago/2026
- https://www.glassdoor.com/Explore/top-companies-chicago_IL.14,21_IM167.htm
Is your product missing or out of date?
We review this list regularly. Vendors can request a listing, send updated pricing or ask about featured placement.
Shihab Mia · Founder, Rankite
Shihab has 5+ years in B2B and SaaS SEO. He writes Rankite's software buying guides from pricing pages, documentation and public user reviews. More about Shihab.