A new ranking has revealed which job sector has the best employers, according to employee reviews. The study, conducted by resume specialists ResumeBlaze, looked at the number of companies rated 4.5 stars and above by employees across every sector in each state. and scaled this against the total number of jobs listed in each area on Glassdoor. 

Despite unemployment rates being at a half-century low (according to figures from the Federal Reserve), some people will still be looking to switch jobs before the festive season hits – and employer ratings is a key concern for many.   

And it’s good news for those who work in legal, as they’re more likely to get a good boss, with a fifth (21%) of companies rated at least 4.5 stars – which is two-fifths (40%) higher than the national average (15%).  

The area that legal employers performed best in was diversity and inclusion, meaning it’s an attractive field for those keen to work with colleagues from all backgrounds.  

Diversity is about the representation of the company and the employees within it, whilst inclusion is about how well the perspectives of different people are valued in the workplace. Together, they create a workplace where everyone feels equally supported and valued.  

The second-best job sector to work in is education with 18% of employers rated 4.5 stars and above, with companies also performing well for diversity and inclusion. Retail and food services came out as the third-best sector, with 18% of top-rated employers. 

The ten sectors with the best employers ranked   

Rank	Sector	Proportion of Companies Rated 4.5 Stars +	Highest-Performing Area
1	Legal	21.0%	Diversity and Inclusion
2	Education	18.4%	Diversity and Inclusion
3	Retail and Food Services	18.0%	Diversity and Inclusion
4	Business	18.0%	Diversity and Inclusion
5	Arts and Design	17.9%	Diversity and Inclusion
6	Transportation	17.9%	Diversity and Inclusion
7	Engineering	17.7%	Diversity and Inclusion
8	Sales	16.7%	Diversity and Inclusion
9	Marketing	16.6%	Diversity and Inclusion
10	Media and Communications	15.9%	Diversity and Inclusion

On the other end of the scale, the military and protective services is the sector with the lowest-rated employers, as just 5% were rated at least 4.5 stars.  

This is 76% less than the legal sector – but those who work in the military can still benefit from the working life, as the sector performed well in cultures and values.  

Information technology is named the second-worst sector for employees with just 12% of companies rated 4.5 stars and above. The sector also performed the worst for employee compensation and benefits. 

The third worst sector for employees seeking high-quality companies is customer services and support, with just 13% of employers rated 4.5 stars and higher.    

As well as looking at which job sectors have the highest-quality employers, the analysis also looked at which states benefit from the best bosses – with California placed first with 21% of companies rated 4.5 stars and above. 

Florida ranked second with just under a fifth (19%) of employers rated at least 4.5 stars, while Texas placed third with 18.7%. Meanwhile, the state with the worst employers was West Virginia, with 33% fewer top-quality employers than the national average.  

Speaking on the findings, Darren Shafae, Founder of ResumeBlaze, said: “Those who are looking for a new job will almost definitely turn to employee reviews to judge the quality of a company – and those who are poorly rated are less likely to have enthusiastic applicants than those with glowing reviews”.  

“Even if the employee reviews look good from the outside, there are some ‘red flags’ you should look out for when job hunting, which can help you decide which companies are worth your time, and which aren’t. Here are 5 potential red flags:  

• Vague Job Descriptions: If the job posting lacks specific details about the responsibilities, qualifications, and expectations, it may be a sign that the employer is not fully transparent or doesn’t have a clear idea of what they want.   

• Unusual Requests: Be wary of employers who request personal or financial information unrelated to the job application process. Scammers may try to exploit job seekers for identity theft or fraud.  

• High Turnover Rate: Research the company’s history and turnover rate. Frequent turnover can be a sign of a toxic work environment or poor management.  

• Too Good to Be True: Be cautious of job postings that promise extremely high salaries, rapid promotions, or benefits that seem too generous for the role. If it sounds too good to be true, it might be a scam or a misleading opportunity.  

• Lack of Benefits or Perks: If the company offers little to no benefits, such as health insurance, retirement plans, or professional development opportunities, it may not prioritize employee well-being and growth.”  

“Remember that red flags are not definitive proof of a bad employer or job opportunity, but they should prompt you to investigate further and proceed with caution. Trust your instincts and conduct thorough research before making any decisions.”