SAS, Duke University, RTI top NC employers on Forbes ‘Best Employers’ lists

SAS, Duke University and RTI International are among the world’s best employers, according to two lists compiled by Forbes.

Forbes worked with research firm Statista in surveying 30,000 American workers on which the rankings were ranked.

“On a scale of zero to ten, it asked how likely they were to recommend their organization to friends or family. Those results were the most important factor in determining a company’s ranking on this list. Statista then asked employees to recommend other companies outside of their own. Those ratings also informed the ranking, but to a lesser degree,” Forbes says.

SAS and Duke University were the highest ranking among the large employers (more than 5,000 employees) list among the 12 N.C. firms picked among 500 companies.

SAS came in No. 21. The Cary-based software and services firm annually ranks among employment rankings.

Duke University came in No. 27.

PPD, which is based in Wilmington and has a large operation in the Triangle, placed No. 489.

Among Best Midsize Employers (1,000 to 5,000 employees), RTI International came in No. 76.

“It’s an honor to be recognized as a best employer by Forbes for the second consecutive year,” said RTI President and CEO Wayne Holden. “As an organization, we’re committed to the growth and wellbeing of our staff members and their efforts to make the world a better place by solving some of its most pressing challenges.”

PRA Health Sciences came in at No. 245.

Here are the N.C. firms named to the large employer list: