5 VA Employers Make Fortune's Best Companies To Work For 2026 List

Five companies headquartered in Virginia were named to Fortune's 100 Best Companies to Work For list, reflecting the state's strong presence in this year's rankings.

McLean-based Hilton ranked in the top 10 of the annual list released Wednesday by Fortune in partnership with Great Place to Work.

The ranking evaluates companies largely on confidential employee surveys measuring trust, job satisfaction and workplace culture.

The 2026 list was topped by Synchrony, a Connecticut-based financial services and insurance company, followed by Hilton, a Virginia-based hospitality company.

Hilton ranked second nationally and first in Virginia. According to survey results, 95 percent of employees said the hospitality company is a great place to work.

"Hilton creates opportunities for every one regardless of gender, race or how you identify. Hilton welcomed me as an LGBTQ+ team member long before it was socially acceptable," an employee said.

"As a result, I was able to learn and become confident in my own skin. This has been critical in both advancing my career and having an incredible life away from work. I tell anyone who will listen about what an incredible company Hilton is, and always was. My hope is that I will retire from this organization - the very one that gave me my start and incredible career."

To be considered for the Fortune list, companies must employ at least 1,000 workers in the U.S. and be certified by Great Place to Work.

This year's rankings were based on feedback from more than 1.3 million employees nationwide. Only companies with consistently high responses across 60 survey statements earned placement on the list, according to Fortune.

These are the Virginia companies that made the list:

• Hilton, McLean, hospitality, No. 2
• Capital One, McLean, financial services and insurance, No. 33
• CarMax, Richmond, retail, No. 56
• Modern Technology Solutions, Inc. Alexandria, professional services, No. 76
• Navy Federal Credit Union, Vienna, financial services and insurance, No. 82