Milwaukee’s Largest Employers
Top Employers in Southeastern Wisconsin
A regional chart of major employers across the Milwaukee area, including estimated employment, industry category, primary Southeast Wisconsin location and workplace snapshot.
57 employers included. Scroll sideways to view the full chart on smaller screens.
| # | Employer | Approx. Employees | Category | Primary SE WI Location | Overview | Employee Rating / Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Advocate Health Care | 163,000 across 7 states. Milwaukee is a major hub with between 25,000 to 35,000 in Southeast WI. | Health Care | Milwaukee area | Aurora St. Luke’s, Aurora Sinai and regional care sites | Formerly Advocate Aurora Health. Largest by far with extensive hospitals/clinics in region. Nonprofit, integrated health system, key Milwaukee facilities include Aurora St. Luke’s (comprehensive cardiac, trauma, and specialty care) and Aurora Sinai (community-focused with emphasis on accessible services). Frequently recognized as a top workplace in Milwaukee. The organization emphasizes health equity, innovation, research, and strong compensation (e.g., significant 2026 investments in teammate pay). It has a large employed physician group and nursing staff. It also has a strong legacy of serving diverse populations in Milwaukee, including those with limited access to care, and active involvement in clinical trials and community wellness initiatives. | Employee Rating: 3.6 to 3.7 out of 5 stars. Positives: Good pay compared to many regional hospitals, strong job stability (large integrated health system), solid benefits and PTO, opportunities across many departments (nursing, imaging, admin, etc.) Some locations report good teamwork and supportive coworkers. |
| 2 | Froedtert Health (Froedtert ThedaCare Health) | 17,000 + | Health Care | Wauwatosa | Froedtert Hospital and MCW campus | Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin Network. Operates 10 hospitals and 45+ clinics across eastern Wisconsin. Froedtert Hospital is the region’s only adult Level I trauma center, meaning staff treat the most critical injuries. The organization participates in thousands of clinical trials, so many employees are involved in cutting-edge research, not just routine care. There are hundreds of volunteers (600–700 range) supporting staff and patients | Employee Ratings average about 3.8/5, slightly above average. Strengths: Strong education and training opportunities. Academic environment (ties to medical school) |
| 3 | Aurora Healthcare (Wisconsin Advocate Aurora) | 150,000 – 170,000 employees nationwide. 29,000 – 32,000 employees in Wisconsin | Health Care | Milwaukee area | Multiple Aurora hospitals, clinics and pharmacies | Founded in 1984 through merger of St. Luke’s Medical Center and Good Samaritan Medical Center. (Additional Mergers – Aurora + Advocate Health + Atrium Health). Massive presence, one of largest employers in SE Wisconsin with a solid reputation (3.6-3.7 rating) for Healthcare with 12-15 hospitals (5 in Milwaukee County alone), clinics and pharmacies. | Employee Rating : 3.6/5. 64-66% would recommend. Positives. Large, Established employer. Career Mobility-internally & multi-state. Mission -driven work. Team environment – “great coworkers” & “supportive staff”. Access to specialized care programs and research with exposure to complex cases and large patient volume. |
| 4 | Johnson Controls | 87,000 employees worldwide. 10,000 to 15,000 in Southeast Wisconsin, one of largest global hubs. | Building Technologies | Glendale / Milwaukee area | Corporate and building technology hub | Founded in 1885 with Headquarters in Milawaukee. They make and manage the systems that control large buildings—temperature, safety, energy efficiency, and security. A strong choice for engineering and technical careers. | Employee Rating: 3.6 -3.7/5. 60-70% would recommend. Postitives: One of strongest building technology companies in the world, strong careers in HVAC engineering , control systems, smart building technology, fire safety. Career mobility. Solid benefits. Milwaukee HQ advantage for leadership, engineering talent and global decision-making. |
| 5 | Amazon | 1.5 million plus employees worldwide. 6,000 to 12,000 employess in Southeast Wisconsin (fulfillment centers, delivery stations, logistics hub) | E-Commerce | Oak Creek, Kenosha, Pewaukee and regional logistics facilities | Founded in 1994 in Seattle Washington, Amazon is a global technology, e-commerce, logistics, and cloud computing company (AWS). It operates fulfillment centers, delivery networks, corporate offices, and cloud infrastructure worldwide. | Employee Rating: 3.5-3.6/5. 58-60% would recommend. Positives: Competitive pay, high hiring volume, career pathways (internal promotion), benefits for eligible employees (health insurance, 401(k), paid time off, tuition assistance) and large scale logistics system (exposure to high-volume supply chain and fulfillment systems). |
| 6 | Ascension Wisconsin | 140,000+ nationwide, about 7,000 to 10,000 Milwaukee area | Health Care | Milwaukee, Ozaukee and Racine area hospitals and clinics | Hospitals and care sites across the area. Ascension Columbia St. Mary’s (Milwaukee and Ozaukee), Ascension St. Francis (Milwaukee), Ascension St. Joseph (Milwaukee), Ascension All Saints (Racine). Multiple outpatient clinics and Ascension Medical Group networks. Includes Level II and tertiary care hospitals. Operates: Burn care center, major cardiac and stroke programs, OB-specific emergency departments in Milwaukee. | Employee Rating: 3.3 out of 5 stars for Milwaukee-area Ascension locations. Slightly lower than the system average. Positives: Strong mission-driven culture (faith-based healthcare), good benefits package compared to many regional employers. Stable employment in a large hospital system. Opportunities in nursing, imaging, and clinical roles |
| 7 | State of Wisconsin (Regional Offices) | The State of Wisconsin employs approximately 60,000 – 70,000 with 7,000-10,000 in Southeastern Wisconsin (roughly 25-35% of total state workforce) | Public Sector | Milwaukee and Southeast Wisconsin regional offices | The State of Wisconsin government is the largest public employer in the state. It operates executive agencies, regulatory bodies, public safety departments, corrections, transportation systems, and administrative services. It also includes regional offices across Wisconsin (Milwaukee, Madison, Green Bay, etc.). Departments include: Corrections, Transportation, Health Services, Revenue, Workforce Development, UW System (separate large employer but closely associated.) | Employee Rating: 3.5/5. (Administrative rank higher, 3.6-3.9, Corrections & frontline lower, 2.9-3.3). Positives: Job Stability, strong benefits (pension, health insurance, retirement, paid leave), work-life balance, large internal mobility (movement between agencies, wide variety of job types) and mission-driven work. |
| 8 | Children’s Wisconsin | 6,000 to 8,000 Includes hospital staff, clinics, behavioral health, support services, and foundation roles. | Health Care | Wauwatosa | Main hospital campus and specialty clinics | Founded n 1894 in Milwaukee, it is Wisconsin’s only independent pediatric healthcare system. Includes hospital, specialty clinics, urgent care, behavioral health, and social services. Key role as a regional pediatric trauma center and works closely with the Medical College of Wisconsin. Major referral center for complex child cases across the state. | Employee Rating: 3.7-3.8/5. Generally good employer. Positives: Strong sense of purpose: helping children and families, making it emotionally rewarding. Strong team culture, high quality training and reputation, stable health care employer. |
| 9 | Kwik Trip | 36,000 – 40,000 total, 5,000-9,000 in Southeast Wisconsin. | Retail | Southeast Wisconsin store network | Wisconsin HQ in La Crosse | Founded in 1965 in LaCrosse, Wisconsin, Kwik Trip is a privately owned Midwest convenience store, gas station, and food service company known for unusually strong employee culture relative to the retail industry. | Employee Rating: 3.6-3.7/5. 74-76% would recommend. Positives: Strong pay and profit sharing, strong culture (friendly, structured, employee-focus), benefits for eligible employees (health insurance, retirement 401 (k), paid time off, employee discounts), internal advancement (clear promotion ladder) and a stable Midwest employer. |
| 10 | University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee | 6,600 – 6,700 (all employement local) | University | Milwaukee | East Side campus | Founded in 1956, as a public research university and one of two major doctoral univerities in the University of Wisconsin System with very high research activity. Enrollment: 23,000 students. | Employee Rating: 3.8-3.9/5. 76-79% would recommend to a friend. Positives: Academic (mission-driven environment), work-life balance with flexible scheduling, intellectual environment, urban campus (near healthcare systems, engineering firms, financial institutions, internship pipelines) and job stability. |
| 11 | City of Milwaukee | 6,000 to 7,000 (all employment local, police and fire make up signigicant portion of staffing). | Public Sector | Milwaukee | City Hall and city departments | Founded in 1846, the City of Milwaukee is the municipal government responsible for providing core city services including public safety, infrastructure, sanitation, housing services, public works, and administrative functions for Wisconsin’s largest city. | Employee Rating: 3.0-3.3/5 (varies by department). Positives: Job stability, benefits, work-life balance, public service mission, internal mobility. |
| 12 | Milwaukee Tool (Techtronic Industries) | 10,000+ globally (Parent Co., Techtronic-48,000 globally). Milwaukee Headquarters, 5,000 to 8,000. | Manufacturing | Brookfield, Menomonee Falls and Milwaukee area campuses | Founded: 1924 (Milwaukee Tool brand history) with Headquarters in Brookfield / Milwaukee. Parent company: Techtronic Industries (TTI), Hong Kong-based. Milwaukee Tool designs and manufactures: cordless power tools (M12, M18 systems), construction equipment, jobsite storage (PACKOUT), and professional trade tools for electricians, plumbers, and contractors. | Employee Rating: 3.9-4.0/5. 77-79% would recommend. Positives: strong engineering & innovation culture, known for fast product development and real-world problem solving. Strong workplace culture. Career growth opportunities – lots of internal mobility. Good benefits and strong company growth. |
| 13 | Rockwell Automoation | 26,000 globally, 5,000–8,000 employees in Milwaukee metro area which is the global headquarters and largest U.S. hub. | Industrial Automation | Milwaukee | Global headquarters | Founded in 1903 with Headquarters in Milwaukee. Core products include; factory automation systems, PLC’s (Allen Bradley brand) and industrial software brands (FactoryTalk, analytics, digital manufacturing tools). | Employee Rating: 3.4-3.7/5. 63-72% would recommend. Positives: Strong technical talent, engineers describe coworkers as very skilled and experienced. Good environment for automation, controls, and industrial software. Solid learning and career value – good resume builder. |
| 14 | ProHealth Care | 5,000 to 7,000 (Waukesha County) | Health Care | Waukesha County | Waukesha and Oconomowoc area campuses | Founded in 1914 in the Waukesha area, with 3 hospitals, 10+ clinics, urgent care, home health, hospice and specialty services. | Employee Rating: 3.6-3.8/5 (“Best-in-state employer for Wisconsin” Forbes recognition) Positives: strong mission and community focus, patient-centered community hospital system with emphasis on care rather than corporate structure. Supportive cuture and good learning environment also stressed. |
| 15 | Uline | 9,000 to 9,400 employees globally, an estimated 5,000 – 6,000 employess in Southeast Wisconsin. One of largest private employers in Kenosha County. | Wholesale/distribution | Pleasant Prairie | Corporate headquarters and distribution campus | Founded in 1980, Uline is a privately held distributor of shipping, packaging, and industrial supplies across North America. With Headquarters in Pleasant Prairie it is known for massive product catalog and fast delivery logistics. | Employee Rating: 3.5-3.6/5. 60-63% would recommend. Positives: High Compensation with strong bonuses and profit sharing. Stability and growth, highly organized, career entry opportunities and large, modern campuses in Southeast Wisconsin with significant investments in logistics systems and distribution centers. |
| 16 | GE Healthcare Technologies | 66,000 globally, 10,000+ in Milwaukee – major hub | Health Care Technology | Wauwatosa / Milwaukee area | Major health technology campus | Core Focus: Medical Imaging (MRI CT, ultrasound), Patient monitoring systems, and AI-driven diagnostics and healthcare software. GE HealthCare’s mission is essentially to build advanced tools that help doctors diagnose and treat patients more effectively – from hospital imaging machines to digital health platforms. Headquarters are in Chicago with major Milwaukee campus. | Employee Rating: 4.1–4.3 / 5 stars (Milwaukee), up to 87% would recommend working there. Positives: Strong mission & impact. Work directly tied to medical imaging, diagnostics, and patient care innovation. High-quality people & talent. Engineers, clinicians, and researchers are often described as top-tier and collaborative. Learning & career development. Strong training programs. Good resume value (globally recognized brand). Work-life balance (better than many large corporations). Frequently rated above industry average. |
| 17 | Generac Holdings | 9,000 to 9,500 total, 4,000 to 6,000 in Southeast Wisconsin. | Industrial Manufacturer | Waukesha | Headquarters and manufacturing operations | Founded in 1959 with headquarters in Waukesha, one of the larger industrial employers in metro Milwaukee in engineering, manufacturing and product development. (Generators, energy storage, renewable and hybrid energy solutions). | Employee Rating: 3.3-3.5/5. 70-74% would recommend. Positives: Fast-growing, high demand industry. Engineering and product innovation. Career learning opportunities -lots of new projects and internal movement. Strong peer-level teams and good resume building. |
| 18 | Milwaukee Public Schools | 10,000+ (all employment local) | Public School | Milwaukee | Districtwide schools and central services | Founded in 1846, Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS) is the largest public school district in Wisconsin and one of the largest in the United States. It serves students across the city of Milwaukee, operating elementary, middle, and high schools, plus specialized programs and services. | Employee Rating: 3.0-3.1/5. 55-61% would recommend. Positives: Mission-driven work, good benefits, community & culture (dependent upon school), and job stability. |
| 19 | SC Johnson | 10,000 plus employees worldwide, 4,000 to 6,000 in Southeast Wisconsin (One of the largest private employers in the Racine/Kenosha/Milwaukee corridor) | Consumer Goods | Racine | Global headquarters | Founded in 1886 with Headquarters in Racine. Privately, family owned. Manufactures household cleaning products sold globally. One of the most iconic employers in Southeast Wisconsin with a long-standing reputation as a stable, community-oriented employer. | Employee Rating: 3.8-3.9/5. 73% would recommend. Positives: Family-owned culture: more values-driven and people-focused. Strong workplace culture – friendly, respectful, good work-life balance. Solid benefits and perks. Work on globally recognized products, strong resume builder. |
| 20 | UPS | 460,000 employees worldwide, with 370,000 in U.S. 3,000 to 6,500 employees in Southeast Wisconsin. | Logistics, Package delivery | Oak Creek / Milwaukee area | Regional package and logistics facilities | Founded in 1907 with headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia, USPS is one of the world’s largest logistics and package delivery companies, providing: Ground package delivery, air freight, supply chain logistics, warehouse & fulfillment services. | Employee Rating: 3.5/5. 60% would recommend. Positives: Strong pay and benefits (union drivers receive above average wages for logistics work, overtime opportunities, health insurance and pensions), job security, career ladder, stable global employer. |
| 21 | US Postal Service (Milwaukee Processing and regional hubs) | Approximately 600,000 total workforce, 3,500-6,000 in Southeast Wisconsin | Federal Agency | Milwaukee and Southeast Wisconsin | Processing, carrier and retail facilities | Founded in 1971 (the current structure), the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) is an independent federal agency responsible for mail and package delivery across the United States and its territories. It operates under a universal service obligation, meaning it must deliver to every address in the country at uniform pricing. | Employee Rating: 3.0-3.2/5. (ratings vary by job type, mail carriers- low, clerks/admin – higher, maintenance/union – mixed but stable). Positives: Exceptional job stability, strong benefits package, high demand workforce, wide job availability, union protections. |
| 22 | Kenosha Unified School District | 4,000 to 5,000 (all employment local) | Public School | Kenosha | District schools and central offices | Founded in 1967, the district serves Kenosha, Pleasant Prairie and Somers. It operates elementary, middle, and high schools, along with special education, alternative education, and support programs. | Employee Rating: 3.4/5. 61% would recommend. Positives: Mission driven education work, stability, work-life balance, team environment (strong collaboration, positive peer relationships), local employment stability. |
| 23 | WEC Energy Group | 6,900 to 8,000 total with 4,000 to 5,000 in Southeast Wisconsin. | Utilities | Milwaukee | Downtown headquarters | 1896 (historic Midwest utility company). Headquartered in Milwaukee, service area: Wisconsin, Michigan, Illinois, Minnesota. Electric & natural gas utility serving from 4 to 4.7 million customers across the Midwest. | Employee Rating: 3.5-3.7/5. 65-70% would recommend. (CEO approval higher at 85-94%.) Positives: Job Stability, low risk of layoffs as a regulated utility. Good pay and benefits and strong co-worker culture. |
| 24 | American Family Insurance (Regional Office) | 10,500 – 11,000 globally, 3,000 – 5,000 in Southeastern WI | Insurance-Property & Casualty | Southeast Wisconsin regional offices | Corporate HQ in Madison | Founded in 1927 with headquarters in Madison, American Family Insurance (AmFam) is a major U.S. mutual insurance company. . It provides property & casualty insurance products including auto, home, business, and specialty coverage across the United States. | Employee Rating: 3.3/5. 49-54% would recommend. Positives: Large, stable employer, compensation and benefits (competitive pay, strong benefits), hybrid work flexibility, career pathways (opportunities in claims, underwriting, actuarial, IT/Data/analytics, and support roles). |
| 25 | FedEx | 440,000 employees worldwide. 2,500-5,500 employees in Southeast Wisconsin. | Logistics, Package delivery | Menomonee Falls / Milwaukee area | Regional hub and delivery facilities | Founded in 1971 with headquarters in Memphis, Tennessee, FedEx is a global logistics, transportation, and delivery services company that specializes in express shipping, ground delivery, freight, and supply chain solutions. | Employee Rating: 3.5/5. 58% would recommend. (Menomonee Falls hub is above average with 3.8-3.9/5.) Positives: Solid pay (competitive wages, overtime, pay increases), career mobility (moving up and within roles), large stable company, exposure to logistics industry (valuable experience in supply chain, distribution and operations) |
| 26 | Kohl’s Corporation | 84,000 total (large part-time retail workforce), 3,000 to 5,000 corporate/campus employees in Milwaukee area, 10,000+ statewide. | Retail | Menomonee Falls | Corporate headquarters | Founded in 1962 and headquartered in Menomonee Falls. The company is focused on value oriented shoppers. Sell mid-priced apparel, home goods, beauty products, and accessories through stores and e-commerce. | Employee Rating: 3.4–3.7 / 5. Generally positive for entry-level and retail roles, more mixed at corporate level. Positives: Friendly, mid-western culture. Good resume builder for retail management, merchandising or buying/supply chain careers. Stable/recognizable brand. Employee discounts & benefits. |
| 27 | Milwaukee VA Medical Center (Clement J Zablocki VA Medical Center) | Estimated 3,000–5,000 employees (medical center and clinics combined) | Health Care | Milwaukee | Zablocki VA Medical Center campus | The Milwaukee VA Medical Center is part of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, specifically within the Veterans Health Administration (VHA). It serves veterans across eastern Wisconsin and operates as a major teaching hospital affiliated with the Medical College of Wisconsin. | Employee Rating: 3.7/5, 53% would recommend. Positives: Federal Employee Benefits, Mission-Driven Work, Teaching and Research Environment, Scope and Complexity of care and work-life structure. |
| 28 | Quad/Graphics | 10,000 to 12,000 globally. 3,000-5,000 in Milwaukee area. | Printing/Marketing | Sussex | Corporate headquarters and production facilities | Headquarters in Sussex. Founded in 1971 and became a global printing giant, serving magazines like Time, People, and Sports Illustrated in its peak era. Shifted from pure printing to marketing services, digital and packaging. Known historically for a strong internal culture with employee ownership-style incentives and engagement programs Employment has declined from 20,000+ peak levels due to automation and industry decline, but it remains a major WI employer | Employee Rating: 3.3 to 3.6 out of 5 stars across major review platforms, 60% would recommend working there. Positives: Stable company, strong people first culture, good for entry to mid level career goals. |
| 29 | Walmart (SE WI & Distribution) | 2.1 million employees worldwide, 1.6 million in the U.S., 8,000 plus in Southeast Wisconsin. | Retail | Southeast Wisconsin stores and distribution operations | Founded in 1962, Walmart is the world’s largest retail company, operating discount stores, supercenters, grocery stores, and e-commerce platforms. It is the largest private employer in the United States and one of the largest employers globally. | Employee Rating: 3.4/5. 55% would recommend. Positives: Massive job availability with internal advancement, benefits (eligible employees receive health insurance, 401 K retirement plan, store discounts and tuition assistance), geographic flexibility and stability. |
| 30 | Costco Wholesale (regional workforce) | Global workforce: 330,000 – 340,000. Southeast Wisconsin: 3,000 to 4,500. | Warehouse Retailer | Southeast Wisconsin warehouse locations | Costco Wholesale Corporation, founded in 1983, is a membership-based warehouse club retailer operating large-format stores that sell groceries, electronics, household goods, pharmacy services, and fuel at bulk/discount pricing. It is known for a limited-product-selection model, high-volume purchasing, and strong employee compensation relative to retail peers. Headquarters: Issaquah, Washington. | Employee Rating: 4.0/5. 75-80% would recommend. Positives: Compensation & benefits are its greatest strength with above average retail wages, strong health insurance, and retirement benefits. Job stability, internal promotion and a good workforce culture. |
| 31 | Robert W. Baird & Co. | 5,000 to 5,500 core workforce globally, 3,000 to 4,500 in Southeast Wisconsin. | Financial | Milwaukee | Downtown headquarters | Founded in 1919, Milwaukee headquarters. Employee owned private firm working with investment banking, wealth management, asset management, capital markets, and private equity. Baird is widely regarded as one of the best large employers in Milwaukee, especially in finance—offering a rare combination of strong culture, ownership alignment, and career opportunity, though with the typical intensity of investment banking in certain divisions. | Employee Rating: 4.1-4.3/5. 75-85% would recommend. Positives: Employee-owned company-80% employees own stock. Strong culture & stability. Strong career development. Solid resume value in finance nationwide. |
| 32 | Milwaukee County Government | 3,300 to 3,800 (all employment local) | Public Sector | Milwaukee County | Courthouse, parks, transit and county facilities | Founded in 1835, Milwaukee County is a large local government agency that provides core public services across Milwaukee County, Wisconsin. It operates everything from parks and transit to public safety, courts, health services, and the Milwaukee County Zoo. | Employee Rating: 3.2-3.3/5. 60-62% would recommend. Positives: Strong public sector stability, benefits package, work – life balance for many roles, mission driven work, and internal mobility. |
| 33 | Komatsu | 66,700 worldwide, estimated SE Wisconsin footprint: 2,500–4,500 employees. | Manufacturing | Milwaukee | South Harbor manufacturing campus | A global Japanese manufacturer of construction, mining, and heavy equipment (bulldozers, excavators, haul trucks, underground mining systems). The Milwaukee site serves as a global center of excellence for large gearing, fabrication, and machining for surface mining. | Employee Rating: 3.9-4/5. 75-78% would recommend. Positives: Strong engineering culture (especially in Milwaukee mining division); good pay and benefits; stable, global company with long-term industry demand; good work-life balance in many office/engineering roles; opportunity to work on large-scale, globally used mining equipment; strong sense of technical pride and product complexity. |
| 34 | Snap-On | 13,000 globally, 3,000 to 4,000 in Southeast Wisconsin, primarily in Kenosha County | Industrial/Manufacturing | Kenosha | Corporate headquarters | Snap-on is a public, Kenosha-based manufacturer and distributor of professional tools, diagnostics, and equipment used in automotive, aviation, and industrial settings. Founded in 1920 as a tool company serving mechanics with mobile trucks selling to mechanics at their workplace. Expanded into diagnostic equipment, software and shop management tools and industrial and aerospace markets. | Employee Rating: 3.4/5. 55-57% would recommend. Positives: Strong Brand and market position – considered a premium brand in professional tools. Strong earning potential (especially in sales). Stability in a niche market-consistent demand. Variety of Career Paths with roles in engineering, manufacturing, corporate and sales. Work environment with strong team camaraderie. |
| 35 | Menards (regional distribution centers) | Global workforce: 45,000. (340+ stores, 15 distribution centers). 2,000 to 4,500 estimate in Southeast Wisconsin. | Discount Retail (Home Improvement) | Southeast Wisconsin stores and distribution support | Corporate HQ in Eau Claire | Founded in 1960 and headquartered in Eau Claire, Menards is a Midwest-focused, privately held home improvement retailer that competes with national chains by emphasizing: low pricing and rebates, large warehouse-format stores, broad product mix, heavy regional concentration. | Employee Rating 3.5/5. 63% would recommend. Positives: Competitive starting pay, profit-sharing programs, opportunities for internal advancement, stable company, hands-on work environment with varied tasks and some flexibility in scheduling. |
| 36 | Michels | 8,000 + company wide, estimated SE Wisconsin footprint: 2,500–4,000 employees (large share of total workforce is Wisconsin-based) | Contractor | Brownsville | Headquarters near Fond du Lac, with SE Wisconsin project footprint | Founded in 1959 as a pipeline construction contractor, Michels Corporation is a family-owned heavy civil construction and infrastructure company headquartered in Brownsville, Wisconsin (near Milwaukee area). Today it operates in: Energy pipelines (oil & gas, utilities); underground infrastructure (water, sewer, telecom); tunneling and directional drilling; foundations, roadbuilding, marine, and renewables. | Employee Rating 3.7/5. 65-70% would recommend. Positives: Strong pay for skilled trades and field roles; excellent equipment and resources (well-funded fleet and tools); stable, long-term infrastructure work (pipelines, utilities always needed); strong safety culture compared to many contractors; good opportunity for overtime and high earnings in field roles; family-owned company feel despite its size; exposure to large, technically complex projects. |
| 37 | Target (Distribution & Stores) | 415,000 global workforce. Estimated number of workers in Southeast Wisconsin: 2,000 – 4,500. | Retail | Southeast Wisconsin stores and distribution operations | Founded in 1902 with headquarters in Minneapolis Minnesota, Target is a major U.S. general merchandise retailer operating large-format stores and a growing e-commerce platform. It competes directly with Walmart, Costco, and Amazon in retail, apparel, home goods, and grocery. | Employee Rating: 3.6/5. 70% would recommend to a friend. Positives: Stronger retail culture vs. competitors, competitive pay, clear promotion ladder, team environment, benefits (health insurance, 401 (k), tuition assistance, employee discount.) |
| 38 | Racine Unified School District | 2,800 to 3,500 (all employment local) | Public School | Racine County | Schools and district facilities | Founded in 1961, it is the fifth largest district in Wisconsin. Racine Unified School District (RUSD) is a large urban-suburban public school district serving Racine County in southeastern Wisconsin. It operates elementary, middle, and high schools across Racine, Mount Pleasant, Sturtevant, and surrounding communities. | Employee Rating: 3.4-3.6/5. 50-55% would recommend. Positives: Meaningful public service, large district structure (wide range of roles), schedule advantages (summer breaks/holidays), team environment (collaboration and strong peer relationships). |
| 39 | Fiserv | 38,000 – globally. Estimated SE Wisconsin footprint: 2,000–4,000 employees | Financial Technology | Milwaukee / Brookfield area | Corporate and fintech operations | Headquarters Brookfield/Milwaukee. Provides payment processing, banking software, and digital financial services to banks, credit unions, and merchants worldwide. Major products include Clover (merchant payments) and core banking platforms. | Employee Rating: 3.1 – 3.4 / 5. 55–65% would recommend. Positives: Strong pay and bonuses in many roles (especially tech/sales); Exposure to large-scale financial systems and payments industry; career mobility across departments and geographies; recognized as a stable, established fintech leader; opportunity to work on critical, high-impact infrastructure. |
| 40 | Goodwill Industries of SE Wisconsin | 3,000-core workforce, broader organization, retail and programs is 5,000 to 10,000. | Non-profit/retail/services | Greendale / Milwaukee area | Headquarters, stores and service locations | Founded locally: 1919 and headquartered in Milwaukee, Greendale area. Goodwill Runs thrift stores and donation centers, funds job training programs, provides employment placement services, and supports people with disabilities or barriers to employment. | Employee Rating: 3.2-3.6/5. Higher satisfaction in mission/program roles. Positives: Strong mission – job training, employment support, helping people with disabilities or barriers to work. Community Impact – tens of thousands of people served per year and thousands of job placements. Good place for first jobs and re-entry into work force. |
| 41 | Meijer (SE WI & Distribution) | Approximately 40,000 core employees additional 30,000 with seasonal work. 2,000 – 4,000 in Southeast Wisconsin. | Retail | Southeast Wisconsin supercenter locations | Founded in 1934 with headquarters in Walker, Michigan. Meijer is a family-owned American hypermarket chain operating large supercenters that combine grocery, pharmacy, general merchandise, and retail services under one roof. It is a major Midwest retailer and a pioneer of the “one-stop shopping” supercenter model. Operates in Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, Ohio, Kentucky and Wisconsin. | Employee Rating: 3.3/5. 51% would recommend. Positives: Stable large retail employer, wide job variety, benefits are moderate but consistent, internal mobility and community oriented culture with community donation and food pantry support program. |
| 42 | US Bank | 68,000 to 70,000 globally, 2,000 to 4,000 in Southeast Wisconsin. | Financial | Milwaukee area offices and branches | Regional banking presence | Parent company, US Bancorp headquartered in Minneapolis MN, especially strong in the Midwest. Core services include consumer banking, business and commercial banking, credit cards and payments, and wealth management and investment services. | Employee Rating: 3.6-3.9/5. 70 – 80% would recommend. Positives: Stability (one of most stable banks), reputation, wide range of roles – ease of movement, work life balance |
| 43 | Northwestern Mutual | 8,000 to 8,500 Corporate base. 2,800 to 3,000 in Milwaukee area. | Insurance – Financial Services | Milwaukee | Downtown lakefront headquarters campus | Major Headquarters in downtown Milwaukee. Financial services mutual organization providing insurance, investments and financial planning, combines the expertise of its financial professionals with a personalized digital experience. Founded in 1857 in Wisconsin One of the largest mutual insurance companies in the U.S. Headquarters is one of the most recognizable modern office campuses in Milwaukee. Has millions of clients nationwide, but remains deeply tied to Milwaukee identity. Known for high financial strength ratings among insurers (top-tier stability) | Employee Rating: 3.7 to 4.0 out of 5 stars. About 70% of employees would recommend working there. Positives: One of Milwaukee’s “premier corporate employers”. HQ is a flagship downtown campus on Lake Michigan. Frequently ranked among the best large employers in Wisconsin Benefits are a major draw: Strong health insurance + retirement benefits. Often includes pension-style retirement benefits (rare today). Perks like onsite gym, food options, hybrid work flexibility, career mobility and stable company. |
| 44 | Harley Davidson & Harley Davidson Vehicle Operations | 5,500+ globally, 2,000 to 3,000 in Southeast Wisconsin (includes Corporate, engineering, product development, and manufacturing workforce) | Manufacturing | Milwaukee and Menomonee Falls | Headquarters, product development and operations | Founded in 1903 with Headquarters in Milwaukee. Product: Heavyweight Motorcycles, parts and accessories, apparel and licensing. It’s not just a manufacturer—it’s a lifestyle brand centered on riding culture, identity, and community | Employee Rating: 3.2/5. 42% Would recommend. Positives: Iconic Brand, strong manufacturing and union roles, tight-knit workforce and resume value. it tends to have more mixed employee satisfaction due to industry challenges and internal change. |
| 45 | Medical College of Wisconsin | 5,000+, about 3,500 full-time employees (core staff) -1,650 faculty members ( counted separately but part of workforce) | Health Care | Wauwatosa | Milwaukee Regional Medical Center campus | The Medical College of Wisconsin (often called MCW) is a large private academic medical institution in the Milwaukee area focused on medical education, biomedical research, physician training, and clinical partnerships. It works closely with hospitals such as Froedtert Hospital and several regional health systems. MCW is one of Wisconsin’s major healthcare and research employers. | Employee Rating: 3.8/5 stars 79% would recommend working there. Positives: Mission-driven work – contributing to medical research, patient care, and education rather than purely corporate goals. Strong learning environment – especially attractive for researchers, clinicians, students, and early-career healthcare professionals because of exposure to cutting-edge medicine and academic collaboration. Benefits package -generally viewed as solid, including health benefits, retirement options, and educational opportunities. Collaborative colleagues – many reviews mention smart coworkers, access to experts, and strong interdisciplinary teams. Reputation/Resume value -MCW has strong regional prestige in medicine and research, which can help career development. |
| 46 | Briggs & Stratton | Total global employees: 3,100–4,000 depending on source. Estimated SE Wisconsin footprint: 1,500–2,500 employees. | Manufacturing | Wauwatosa / Milwaukee area | Legacy headquarters and operations | Longtime legacy manufacturer with Milwaukee/Wauwatosa Headquarters (founded 1908), now privately owned after restructuring. Manufacturer of small engines and outdoor power equipment. Products include power lawn mowers, generators, pressure washers, and commercial equipment. Operates globally across 100+ countries with multiple brands (Snapper, Ferris, Vanguard, etc.) | Employee Rating: 3.0-3.1/5. 41-43% would recommend. Lower employee satisfaction than peers because of leadership and reduced size and ongoing transition during post-bankruptcy. Positives: Strong coworker relationships; decent pay and benefits for manufacturing roles; stable day-to-day work (especially in production roles); opportunities for overtime income; long legacy company with recognizable products and pride in manufacturing. |
| 47 | Badger Meter | 2,500 global workforce, 1,600 – 2,200 employees in Southeastern Wisconsin. | Industrial | Milwaukee | Brown Deer Road headquarters and operations | Founded in 1905, Badger Meter is a Milwaukee-based industrial technology company specializing in water metering, flow measurement, and smart water analytics systems used by utilities, municipalities, and industrial customers worldwide. Major engineering and manufacturing operations are in Milwaukee. | Employee Rating: 3.9/5. 77% would recommend to a friend. Positives: Strong niche industry position, work-life balance, engineering-driven culture, career development (opportunities in engineering, operations, sales and software) and Milwaukee based stability. |
| 48 | Milwaukee Area Technical College (MATC) | 1,900 (all employment local) | Technical College | Milwaukee | Downtown campus and regional campuses | Founded in 1912, MATC is a public two-year technical and community college serving the Milwaukee metro area. It is one of the largest technical colleges in Wisconsin and offers associate degrees, technical diplomas, certificates, apprenticeships, and adult education programs. | Employee Rating: 3.2-3.3/5. 57-61% would recommend. Positives: Mission driven environment, work-life balance, diversity and student population, local stability, learning environment. |
| 49 | Manpower Group | Total employees (global internal staff): 30,000. Estimated SE Wisconsin footprint: 1,000–2,000 employees. | Staffing | Milwaukee | Downtown headquarters | ManpowerGroup is a Milwaukee-based global staffing and workforce solutions company with Milwaukee Headquarters. Founded in 1948, it is one of the largest staffing firms in the world. Connects hundreds of thousands of people to jobs daily across 80+ countries. | Employee Rating: 3.6/5. 66% would recommend. Positives: Strong work-life balance compared to many corporate roles; supportive teams and collaborative culture; opportunity to learn recruiting, HR, and business skills quickly; exposure to many industries and companies; mission-driven: helping people find jobs and build careers. |
| 50 | The Marcus Corporation | 2,300 full-time, core employees. 7,500+ includes hourly employees. | Hotels/Theaters | Milwaukee | Corporate headquarters, theaters and hotel operations | Founded in 1935 with Milwaukee Headquarters. Core Business – Marcus Theatres (movie theaters across Midwest) and Marcus Hotels & Resorts (hotels, resorts, restaurants). A company not typically viewed as a top-tier employer for compensation or long-term corporate career growth. | Employee Rating: 3.4-3.5/5. 64-76% would recommend. Positives: Unique perks, fun environment, team oriented culture, flexible scheduling. Good starting point for careers in hospitality, hotel management, food and beverage roles. |
| 51 | CNH Industrial | 35,850 globally, 1,000-1500+ employees at Racine Plant. | Industrial | Racine | Manufacturing plant and agricultural equipment operations | Roots trace back to 1800s when agricultural equipment was manufactured in Racine. Founded in 2012 with merger of CNH Global and Fiat Industrial- Headquarters in Amsterdam. CNH Industrial is a global manufacturer of agricultural and construction equipment, best known for brands like: Case IH, New Holland Agriculture, CASE Construction Equipment. | Employee Rating: 3.7/5. 65-70% would recommend. Positives: Strong industrial brand, globally recognized. Compensation and Unon Benefits for plant roles. Specialized manufacturing experience with exposure to heavy equipment production and advanced machinery systems. Job stability form global demand. Strong local legacy-Racine has produced agricultural equipment for over 175 years. |
| 52 | Associated Bank | 4,000 Employees total, 900-1,500 in Southeastern Wisconsin. (Branches and regional Headquarter functions.) | Financial | Milwaukee regional offices and branches | Corporate HQ in Green Bay | Founded in 1861 with Headquarters in Green Bay, Associated Bank (Associated Banc-Corp) is the largest Wisconsin-based bank and one of the leading regional financial institutions in the Upper Midwest. It provides retail banking, commercial lending, mortgage services, wealth management, and business banking. | Employee Rating; 3.6-3.8/5. 65-75% would recommend. Positives: Strong regional employer stability, generally better hours than national banks, career mobility with internal promotions, culture and community focus and moderate to strong benefits. |
| 53 | Waukesha County Government | 1,000 to 1,300 (all employment local) | Public Sector | Waukesha | County offices and facilities | Founded 1846 and located in Waukesha, Waukesha County is a local government employer serving one of the fastest-growing and most affluent counties in Wisconsin. It provides public services including law enforcement, parks, courts, human services, land use, public health, and administrative operations. | Employee Rating: 3.7/5. 75% would recommend. Positives: Job stability, benefits (pension, health insurance, paid leave), work-life balance, workplace environment (professional & collaborative, positive relationships), quality of life mission. |
| 54 | West Bend Insurance | 1,400 total employees with approximately 900-1,200 in Southeast Wisconsin. | Insurance-Property & Casualty | West Bend | Corporate headquarters campus | Founded in 1894, with headquarters in West Bend, West Bend Insurance (West Bend Mutual Insurance Company) is a regional property and casualty insurance carrier. It provides personal, commercial, and specialty insurance products (Homeowners, Auto, Commercial/Business, Specialty Liability Coverage) across the Midwest and select U.S. markets. | Employee Rating: 3.8/5. 75-80% would recommend. Positives: Strong workplace culture (friendly, collaborative, and stable), work-life balance, campus & amenities (Headquarters has walking trails, fitness facilities and other on-site amenities.), stability and employee experience (strong peer to peer culture and job longevity.) |
| 55 | BMO Harris Bank | Total employees (BMO Harris / BMO Bank U.S.), 11,000–17,500+ employees depending on scope and post-merger counts. Estimated SE Wisconsin footprint, 2,000+. | Financial | Milwaukee regional offices and branches | U.S. HQ in Chicago | U.S. Banking arm of the Bank of Montreal with Chicago headquarters. Provides retail banking, commercial banking, wealth management, and capital markets services. One of the largest banks in the U.S. (top 15 by assets) | Employee Rating: 3.5-3.8/5. 68-69% would recommend. Positives: Strong team culture and supportive coworkers; stable, well-established financial institution; good work-life balance compared to many banks; solid benefits and steady pay; opportunities to learn banking/finance skills and move internally; reputation for being less cutthroat than some large banks. |
| 56 | Old National Bank | 3,000 – 4,000 nationally, 400-800 in Southeast Wisconsin | Financial | Southeast Wisconsin branches and regional offices | Founded in 1834 in Evansville, Indiana, Old National Bank is a regional Midwest commercial and retail bank. Old National Bank’s expansion in Southeastern Wisconsin did not come from a traditional merger with a single Wisconsin-based bank headquartered in the region, but rather from a series of acquisitions—most importantly AnchorBank and later First Midwest Bank (which already had Wisconsin operations). | Employee Rating: 3.3/5. 60-62% would recommend. Positives: Regional Stability, work-life balance (predictable working hours), culture (emphasis on community banking and customer relationships, supportive team environment) career pathways and benefits (PTO and leave policies often cited as positive). |
| 57 | Molson Coors | 16,200 globally, Milwaukee brewery complex alone employs 1,000+,the estimated SE Wisconsin footprint is likely in the low thousands, making it a major regional employer. | Brewing | Milwaukee | Historic brewery complex and offices | Major North American–based global brewer (Chicago and Montreal HQ) producing brands like Coors Light, Miller Lite, Blue Moon, and Leinenkugel’s. It is a large, legacy employer in Southeast Wisconsin, anchored by its Milwaukee operations. | Employee Rating: 3.6/5. 69% would recommend. Positives: Strong benefits and pay relative to manufacturing peers; well-known brands and stable, established company; good work-life balance in many roles; opportunities to move internally across functions or locations; corporate focus on sustainability and responsibility initiatives. |