Want a better job in SC? These 11 companies in state among best employers in US, Forbes says

Five South Carolina companies were recently listed as best large company employers by Forbes magazine.

Six South Carolina companies were listed in the mid-sized company ranking.

“As the state’s flagship university, the University of South Carolina uses its more than 35,000-member student body to provide opportunities for research and engagement with the community,” the magazine said.

They noted 300-plus majors with public health, finance, and biology listed as popular.

“Last year alone, the university generated $237 million worth of sponsored research funding and has been recognized for its research activity by the Carnegie Classification,” the magazine said.

Also of interest is the Gamecock Guarantee, which offers low-income, first-generation South Carolina students at least $4,500 in tuition and technology fees.

No list about Carolina is complete without mentioning football traditions, “like waving around the signature white towel inside Williams-Brice Stadium or cheering on the Gamecocks football team before kickoff during the “2001” pregame entry, considered one the most exciting in college football.”

USC spokesman Jeffrey Stensland said being included in the list “affirms our continued commitment to providing a great work experience to the more than 10,000 faculty and staff employed across the system.”

Of midsize companies, ranked third was United Community, a banking company focusing on small and medium-sized businesses.

The company was founded in 1950, employs about 3,100 people and is headquartered in Greenville.

Forbes and market research firm Statista ranked the businesses based on survey responses from more than 217,000 employees working at companies within the U.S. that employ more than 1,000 people.

They were asked if they would recommend their employer based on salary, work environment, benefits and advancement opportunities.

In all, 700 large employers and 500 mid-sized companies were listed.

Other large SC companies

The other large companies on the list were:

• #290 Southeast Freight Lines, based in Lexington. Founded in 1950, the company specializes in next-day and second-day services.
• #330 Michelin Group, tire manufacturer with North American headquarters in Greenville. Michelin was founded by Aristide Barbier and Édouard Daubrée on July 15, 1863 and is headquartered in Clermont-Ferrand, France.
• #582 Continental AG, a holding company that makes soft rubber products, rubberized fabrics, and solid tires. It was founded in 1871 and is located in Fort Mill. The company employs 202,763.
• #614 Sunbelt Rental, offering business services and supplies. Founded in 1983, it employs 18,000 with headquarters in Fort Mill.

Other mid-sized SC companies

The mid-sized company list includes:

• #155 Milliken & Co., textiles, specialty chemicals, and floor covering manufacturer. It began as Deering Milliken Co., a woolen fabrics jobbing firm founded in Portland, Maine by Seth Milliken and William Deering in 1865. The company now has 45 factories worldwide and 8,000 employees. Headquarters is in Spartanburg.
• #275 Regional Finance, based in Greer with 1,000 employees.
• #324 Movement Mortgage, based in Fort Mill, banking services 4,500 employees.
• #338 Security Finance, based in Spartanburg.
• #497 Amick Farms, based in Batesburg.