RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. – What makes an organization a “best place” to work for IT professionals?

If any one element can capture “bestness,” according to Computerworld, it’s the combination of rewarding work in an atmosphere that encourages camaraderie.

Computerworld has ranked the top 100 work environments for technology professionals at U.S. companies or U.S. staff of international companies each year since 1994. The list is compiled annually based on company offerings in categories such as benefits, career development, training and retention. In addition, Computerworld conducts extensive surveys of IT workers with their responses factoring heavily in determining the rankings.

This year, Quicken Loans, LinkedIn and Noah Consulting topped the list of large, midsize and small rankings, respectively, by keeping employees well compensated, challenged in their jobs, and supported with extras like free lunch and foosball.

Carolinas HealthCare System, SAS, and Quintiles lead the way for North Carolina this year in the large company category.

Carolinas HealthCare System

Carolinas HealthCare System is ranked 20th in the large company category.

This Charlotte-based health care provider has more than 800 IT team members who support centralized IT services as well as an advanced electronic medical record system, business tools for automation and analytics, and collaboration tools. IT staffers’ goals are aligned with the organization’s mission and results, and all staffers are eligible for performance-based bonuses. In 2013, all IT staffers met or exceeded their performance goals and each received a $750 award.

SAS Institute

SAS is ranked 23rd in the large company category.

Good ideas have a chance to flourish at this software company in Cary. IT leadership is open-minded about new and innovative approaches to challenges, and staffers are encouraged to offer feedback and share their ideas. Avenues of communication include surveys, online comments, an internal social network known as The Hub, and direct email to the CIO or the CEO. IT staffers may work flexible schedules, and they have secure remote access to company systems when they’re away from the office.

Quintiles

Quintiles is ranked 54th in the large company category.

IT pros at this biopharmaceutical services organization in Research Triangle Park have an opportunity to use leading-edge technologies to make a difference in the world. Recent projects include developing a global safety system that helps protect clinical trial patients, harnessing big data for predictive analysis that yields safer clinical trial designs, and launching a portal that doctors can use to manage test results for their clinical trial patients. In 2013, nearly 300 IT staffers were honored with “Work Worth Doing” awards, receiving monetary rewards in recognition of their contributions to the business. This is the sixth time it has received this employer distinction over the past seven years.

“Hiring the best and the brightest IT pros, offering them competitive pay and providing top-notch benefits is just the beginning for the outstanding employers on this year’s Best Places to Work in IT list,” said Scot Finnie, editor in chief of Computerworld. “Both newcomers to the list and rock-steady stalwarts nurture their talent with challenging business-critical projects, extensive training opportunities and ongoing career development programs. They invest in their own futures by investing in their employees.”

You can view all the rankings here.