These are the 15 best companies in SC, Forbes says. Here’s why they’re great
Wondering which companies are the best to work for?
Fifteen South Carolina companies earned a spot on Forbes’ inaugural America’s Best-in-State Companies study, which ranks businesses nationwide based on employee satisfaction, financial strength, sustainability and more.
Released Nov. 19, this ranking evaluated more than 50,000 companies nationwide, aiming to “raise the bar for overall company excellence.”
Below are the Palmetto State companies recognized on Forbes’ America’s Best-in-State Companies 2026 list and where they’re located.
Top companies in South Carolina for 2026
No. 1: Michelin Tire in Greenville
- A leading mobility company that’s among the top five tire companies and a top-selling tire brand worldwide.
No. 2: Sonoco Products in Hartsville
- Sonoco specializes in sustainable metal, fiber and industrial packaging, with 285 operations across 40 countries and over 23,000 employees.
No. 3: Milliken & Company in Spartanburg
- Global manufacturer in textile, floor covering, chemical and healthcare sectors.
No. 4: Horry Telephone Cooperative in Conway
- Telecom co-op that serves Horry, Georgetown and Marion counties with fiber-optic Internet, TV, mobile, phone and security services.
No. 5: The Jackson Companies in Myrtle Beach
- A family-owned enterprise that specializes in large-scale hospitality and real estate for golf communities and campgrounds.
No. 6: United Community Bank in Greenville
- Southeast regional banking provider with locations stretching from Alabama to North Carolina.
No. 7: Beach Automotive Group in Myrtle Beach
- Family-owned car dealership group carrying brands like Ford, Buick, Volvos and more.
No. 8: Farmers Telephone Cooperative in Kingstree
- Telecom provider that has been serving areas of Clarendon, Florence, Lee, Sumter and Williamsburg counties since 1951.
No. 9: The Sea Pines Resort on Hilton Head Island
- Located on the south side of Hilton Head, Sea Pines is a resort community with golf, shopping, nature trails, tennis and more.
No. 10: Southeastern Freight Lines in Lexington
- A trucking company that serves routes in the Southeast, Southwest and Puerto Rico. They specialize in next-day and second-day services.
No. 11: Red Ventures in Fort Mill
- Red Ventures is a private media and marketing company specializing in business growth and digital products.
No. 12: Sonepar USA in Charleston
- Sonepar is an independent family-owned company that distributes electrical products, solutions and related services.
No. 13: The Villas at Kiawah Island Golf Resort on Kiawah Island
- Upscale villa rentals with access to golf, beaches, dining and luxury amenities on the barrier island near Charleston.
No. 14: Berkeley Hall Club in Bluffton
- Private golf community near Hilton Head, offering indoor and outdoor activities and a residential community, also the location of the 2025 HGTV Dream Home.
No. 15: Schaeffler Group USA in Fort Mill
- Schaeffler Group USA is an automotive and industrial supplier known for components like bearings, engine and transmission parts.
How did Forbes make this list?
Companies were assessed across 11 categories, including employee and customer sentiment, financial performance, business trajectory, cybersecurity, media sentiment, sustainability, workforce diversity, workforce stability and company size.
This list used ratings and data from third-party partners such as Glassdoor, Yelp, Google, Data Axle and others. Businesses were scored only against companies headquartered in the same state to ensure fair comparisons — particularly for those in less-populous regions.
To be eligible, companies had to be headquartered in the United States and employ more than 7,000 people nationwide, with certain organizations — including colleges, school districts, government offices and charitable organizations — excluded from consideration.
Each state received five to 25 honorees based on population, resulting in a final list of 750 companies nationwide.
Forbes states that for all lists and rankings, companies did not pay any fee to be considered or selected.
