Cary-based SAS, rated the best international work place in 2012, has moved up a spot on the best places to work in the U.S. in a new survey from Fortune magazine.

SAS was third a year ago.

NetApp, which has a major campus in Research Triangle Park, finished sixth.

The magazine will disclose the full lost of its “100 Best Companies to Work for in the U.S.” list on Thursday. Google was No. 1 and Boston Consulting No. 2 in 2012.

SAS and NetApp announced their rankings on Wednesday.

Privately held SAS prides itself on benefits provided to its work force and has been ranked in the top 10 on 10 occasions since Fortune launched the survey in 1998. SAS has made the list every year. Its employee turnover rate is 3.3 percent, much lower than the software industry average of 22 percent.

“Our ability to attract and keep creative employees directly contributes to SAS’ consistent revenue growth, profitability and industry-leading products and solutions,” said SAS co-founder and Chief Executive Officer Jim Goodnight.

SAS is expected to set another record for revenues in 2012 when it releases a financial overview later this month. The company has increased revenues and profits every year since it launched 36 years ago.

Discussing the latest ranking, Jenn Mann, SAS vice president of Human Resources, noted: “SAS on-site health care, fitness center, subsidized child care, and numerous wellness programs reduce distractions. Employees are not only happier, but they also feel valued, which makes them more productive.”

SAS topped the Fortune list in 2010 and 2011. SAS also was ranked No. 1 in the 2012 “Top 25 World’s Best Multinational Workplaces” list from Great Place to Work.

NetApp has cracked the Fortune top 10 in each of the past five years and finished third in the global Great Place to Work survey.

“This recognition from FORTUNE magazine is all about our employees, who bring a passion and an energy to work that creates an environment where innovation thrives,” said Tom Georgens, NetApp’s CEO. “Building the best team in the industry and creating a culture that inspires employees is a key component of NetApp’s business strategy. It directly contributes to driving growth and success for us, and for our customers and partners.”

[SAS ARCHIVE: Check out a decade of SAS stories as reported in WRAL Tech Wire.]