With sparkling ocean waves, white-sand beaches, and gorgeous weather all year round, San Diego has earned its nickname as “America’s Finest City.”
San Diego is not only a paradise to call home, it’s a great place to work too! The city is the headquarters of some of the world’s best companies in terms of pay, benefits, job security, and diversity.
Are you thinking about relocating to San Diego? Are you looking for the best employers located in the San Diego metropolian area?
If so, keep reading! We’ll dive into the top companies in San Diego and what makes them the best places to work. Let’s check them out!
How We Selected the Top Companies in San Diego
Before we get into the list, we want to clue you in on how we chose the San Diego employers that made the cut. We analyzed several factors and selected companies that embodied the most, if not all, of the critical ingredients of a happy, healthy workplace.
We looked at:
- Previous employer awards
- Anonymous employee reviews
- Benefits and perks
- Compensation
- Diversity and inclusion
- Job security
- Retention
- Education and opportunities for advancement
- Overall culture and employee satisfaction
The following list will include award-winning companies across a wide variety of industries. The employers range from small and mid-size businesses to giant, multinational corporations. Let’s get into the list.
Watkins Wellness
Watkins Wellness is a leading manufacturer of hot tubs and aquatic fitness products. The company aims to provide products that enhance wellbeing, relieve stress, improve sleep, promote health, and help athletes train.
Headquartered in Vista, California, Watkins Wellness has 3,500 employees and over 1,000 retailers in 50 states and over 70 countries. Vista is a medium-sized city famous for the stunning Alta Vista Botanical Gardens and loads of other attractions providing a high quality of life to residents.
The company’s mission to enhance health and wellbeing extends to its employees. Watkins offers employees onsite, remote, and hybrid jobs in San Diego. It has implemented award-winning wellbeing and self-care programs, leadership development, and training to promote advancement within the company.
Watkins boasts leadership that focuses on teamwork, friendship, caring, and approachability. They describe the culture as “casual” and “family-like,” with a strong emphasis on work/life balance.
Watkins Wellness has countless 5-star employee reviews online, including this one:
“Great place to work. I would recommend spending your career there! Great people and culture [and] are making strides in their industry and will be a stable place to work.”
The San Diego Union-Tribune named Watkins Wellness one of the Top Places to Work in San Diego in 2021, 2014, and 2013.
Aya Healthcare
Aya Healthcare is a national leader in healthcare staffing, and the largest travel nurse and allied agency in the United States.
It is a leading provider of locums, per diem, and non-clinical staff in the healthcare industry. Aya travel nurses, clinicians, clients, and corporate employees filled tens of thousands of high-needs positions during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Aya Healthcare’s mission states that happy clinicians equal happy patients. They avoid a hierarchal structure by providing employees ample opportunities to offer workplace criticism and feedback. Benefits include 401(k), health insurance, paid sick leave, and virtual wellness and fitness programs.
Aya made Fortune’s Best Workplaces for Women lists in 2020 and 2021. Women make up nearly 75% of Aya’s management positions and higher, compared to the national average executive team with 29% female representation.
In a survey of 5.6 million U.S. employees, 90% of Aya’s employees say it’s a great place to work. That number is 34% higher than the average company.
One employee wrote, “They advocate for your promotion and always believe in you and your potential to grow at the company; they are never discouraging or overly pushy about goals.”
Booz Allen Hamilton
Booz Allen Hamilton is a consulting firm that helps military, government, and business organizations transform with expertise in analytics, digital solutions, engineering, technology, and international development.
A global firm with over a century in business, Booz Allen Hamilton employs 27,700 people in the U.S. and has an annual revenue of approximately $7.9 billion.
The company places a strong emphasis on diversity. Its vision statement is, “Empowering people to change the world starts within.”
The company encourages strength of character and integrity. Leadership actively seeks to empower employees to challenge the status quo and speak truth to power.
One employee said, “Booz Allen Hamilton is a people-centric company with an amazing culture and a leader in the industry. I cannot say enough good things about this company’s standards.”
Booz Allen Hamilton has been awarded Best Places to Work by the San Diego Union-Tribune in 2021, 2020, 2019, and 2018.
Qualcomm Inc.
Qualcomm Inc. is one of the top tech companies in San Diego. It designs, manufactures, and markets brand-new technologies, software, and digital wireless telecommunications products for various industries from automotive to healthcare.
Qualcomm is a huge company with offices in 33 countries around the globe and about 45,000 employees in total. The annual revenue currently sits at $33.57 billion.
Employees at Qualcomm enjoy a diverse workplace culture. Over half of the employees — 59.4% — are ethnic minorities. On average, employees stay with the company for 5.6 years (the national median is 4.1 years).
One employee wrote, “I personally have a great work-life balance and receive a good compensation as compared to my peers at other top tech companies. Qualcomm is also very flexible.”
Many positive employee reviews mention the great benefits. Qualcomm offers several competitive retirement plans, a wide variety of health insurance coverage options, profit sharing, generous paid time off, wellness programs, and more.
Qualcomm made the list of Fortune 100’s best companies to work for in 2021.
San Diego Gas and Electric
San Diego Gas and Electic powers San Diego! SDG&E is a public utility that provides power to 3.4 million people in a service area spanning 4,100 miles.
It employs about 2,000 people and has an annual revenue of $4.5 billion.
SDG&E has a very diverse staff of 41.9% female employees and 49.6% ethnic minorities. It has excellent employee retention, with team members staying an average of 5.6 years.
Benefits include health insurance, life insurance, 401(k) with employer match, and flexible time off. It also offers some distinctive health and wellness perks including yoga and fitness classes, a gym and weight room, chair massages, and reflexology.
SDG&E has countless positive reviews online, including this one:
“They really take care of their employees at SDG&E. Pay and benefits are great. Good work/life balance, and you are not micromanaged.
Overall, an excellent place to work.”
SDG&E made the top 20 on Computerworld’s list of 100 Best Places to Work in IT in 2021.
Kratos Defense & Security Solutions
Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc. is a leading provider to the U.S. federal government, state governments, and local agencies. It specializes in military and war solutions, mission-critical infrastructure design, advanced IT, security and surveillance, and more.
Kratos employs roughly 2,000 people and has an annual revenue of $747.7 million.
The staff at Kratos is diverse with 35.1% female staff and 44.1% ethnic minorities. It has high employee retention at 4.8 years. Kratos offers competitive benefits, including a 401(k) with employer match and an employee stock purchase program, health insurance, paid time off, education reimbursement, and more.
One employee said, “I am a cyber engineer, and this job is amazing. My manager is quite flexible and kind, and he constantly helps me learn. Options to work from home exist, and other coworkers are amazing.”
Zippia’s Best Places to Work named Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc. the #1 Best Telecommunications Company in San Diego.
Arena Pharmaceuticals
Arena Pharmaceuticals is a biotech company focused on cardiovascular, central nervous system, inflammatory, and metabolic diseases.
Arena Pharmaceuticals is one of the smaller companies to make the list. It has 194 employees and annual revenue of $319,000.
The staff is diverse with 45.1% female and 56.1% ethnic minorities. It has excellent employee retention with employees staying an average of 5.4 years. It is an Affirmative Action Workplace; it has higher-than-average paid days off, and competitive compensation and benefits.
One employee wrote, “Great company to work for with the best management. [My boss] cared about her employees and listened to us. The company also offered the best benefits I’ve ever seen.”
Zippia’s Best Places to Work named Arena Pharmaceuticals the #2 Best Healthcare Company to Work for in San Diego. It is the #51 Best Healthcare Company to Work For in America.
NuVasive
NuVasive develops minimally invasive surgical products and procedures that are revolutionizing spinal surgery. It is best known for its MAS platform, or Maximum Access Surgery, which has redefined spinal surgery to reduce surgery time and help patients recover faster.
NuVasive headquarters are in San Diego. It employs 75 people at the corporate office and 6,200 people worldwide. Annual revenue is $1.17 billion.
The staff of NuVasive is diverse with 37.7% female employees and 44.5% ethnic minorities. It has a reasonable retention rate of 4.1 years. Benefits include a 401(k), an employee stock purchase program, ample paid time off, medical insurance, and more.
Employee reviews show that people appreciate the innovative and forward-thinking nature of the company. One employee said:
“Great company with growth. Lots of ideas are being implemented. Team work and offer challenges along with your ideas to make things easier for your job.”
In 2021, Forbes named NuVasive #4 on America’s 500 Best Mid-sized Employers.
Viasat
Viasat is a global telecommunications company that provides high-speed internet services and secure networking systems for military and commercial markets.
The headquarters are in Carlsbad, a community north of San Diego. Carlsbad has a high standard of living thanks to magnificent beaches, world-class sporting events, the LEGOLAND® theme park, and many more attractions.
Viasat employs 5,900 people and has an annual revenue of $2.3 billion.
In 2022, Viasat was one of Glassdoor’s Best Places to Work in the U.S. for large employers and received a Glassdoor Employees’ Choice Award. Glassdoor chose award recipients based on criteria including compensation and benefits, work-life balance, and diversity and inclusion.
One employee said, “Work/life balance is preached — and practiced!”
Bartell Hotels
Who wouldn’t want to spend their days at a tropical resort? Bartell Hotels can be found dotted along the waterfront and in other hot San Diego destinations. The hotels are popular among tourists and locals alike due to the tropical atmosphere, farm-to-table restaurants, and live music at the Humphreys Concerts by the Bay venue.
Bartell Hotels are San Diego’s largest independent hotel company with 388 employees across eight locations. It generates $52.07 million in sales per year.
The hotel boasts a culture built on diversity, inclusion, and equity. They describe the work environment as fun and fulfilling. Bartell offers health insurance to full-time employees.
One employee said, “There are many advancement opportunities within the company, and many managers have worked their way up from the bottom. They have a range of Hotel Brands in their portfolio and good benefits.”
The San Diego Union Tribune named Bartell Hotels as one of the Best Places to Work in 2021.
Scripps Health
Scripps Health is a private, nonprofit healthcare system with top-ranked hospitals and very happy employees. It has made Fortune’s list of 100 Best Companies to Work For a whopping 14 times!
Scripps Health has a significant role in the San Diego healthcare industry. It employs over 20,000 people at five hospitals and 19 outpatient facilities. Its annual revenue is $3.2 billion.
The staff at Scripps Health is very diverse, with 64.4% female and 51.4% ethnic minorities. It has exceptionally high retention, with team members staying an average of 5.8 years. It offers competitive pay and time off, multiple retirement and savings options, health insurance, mental health and wellness resources, health discounts, and more.
One employee wrote:
“The staff is amazing! We all work great as a team, my coworkers are skilled, intelligent, and very caring individuals. My manager is great, she’s easy to work with and is very understanding.
I get PTO, PSD and good medical, dental and retirement. There is an overall friendliness and positivity in the workplace!”
MarcomCentral
MarcomCentral provides marketing solutions to global brands with its Digital Asset Management solutions software. It’s based in Solana Beach, steps from Fletcher Cove Beach Park and Culture Brewing.
If you want to work for a small, tight-knit company, MarcomCentral may be the choice for you. With 14 employees and $410,176 in annual sales, MarcomCentral is the smallest employer to make the list.
MarcomCentral offers a laidback, dog-friendly work environment with work-from-home options. They also provide learning opportunities, conferences, health insurance, and a 401(k).
Multiple positive reviews online mention MarcomCentral’s friendly environment. One employee wrote:
“CEO is always available to talk and enjoys being around the office and chatting with employees. Great stocked break room, lunch brought in on Fridays, and a stunning view of the ocean from the building. It’s also a young, dog-friendly office.”
In 2020, MarcomCentral made the top 10 on the San Diego Business Journal’s “Top 100 Best Places to Work in San Diego” for a medium-sized business.
Dr. Bronner’s
Founded in San Diego, Dr. Bronner’s is a global player in fair-trade organic bath, body, and cleaning products. Dr. Bronner’s is located in Vista, California near the beautiful Buena Vista Park.
Dr. Bronner’s is a mid-size, family-owned-and-operated business with 270 employees and growing. In 2020, the brand’s net revenue was $188 million up from $129 million in 2019.
The business has a highly philanthropic mission. In 2020, Dr. Bronners donated $16 million to social justice, activist, and environmental causes.
The company’s motto is “We are All-One or None,” and Dr. Bronner’s practices what it preaches. Dr. Bronner’s has a 5-to-1 salary cap, meaning the highest-paid executives cannot make more than 5 times the amount of the lowest-paid, full-time position.
One employee said:
“Dr. Bonner’s has a long history of doing the right thing, but once you are an employee, you realize that they really to walk the walk. Being an employee is like being a member of the family, couple that with amazing benefits, flexible schedules, and smart/passionate people, and you definitely have a ‘Best Places To Work’ atmosphere!”
Those benefits include childcare subsidies, year-end bonuses, Zumba classes, massages, free vegan lunches, and many other health and wellness programs.
The San Diego Union Tribune named Dr. Bronners one of the Best Places to Work in San Diego in 2021, 2020, 2019, and 2015.
Read about more cool San Diego companies here.
CA Technologies
CA Technologies, acquired by Broadcom in 2018, is a computer software company with locations all over the nation and annual revenue of $4.2 billion. It provides cloud solutions, security, service management, test data, and other IT services to customers around the world.
CA Technologies is one of the best workplaces for women and is the recipient of many InHerSight awards including “Best Companies for Maternity and Adoptive Leave” and “Best Companies for Paid Time Off.”
Positive employee reviews tout better-than-average paid leave, paid paternal leave, flexible work hours, access to lactation rooms, child care assistance, and more.
One employee said:
“Unlimited vacation and flexibility. Positive culture and benefits and policies that most companies don’t offer. Competitive pay and the ability to grow your career and skills. Compensation is based on your skill set and very transparent.”
Guild Mortgage Company
Guild Mortgage has been a key player in the San Diego mortgage industry since 1960 — a time when the industry as we know it today was in its infancy. It offers specialized residential mortgage products as well as in-house processing, underwriting, and funding.
Today, Guild Mortgage employs 4,000 people across 222 retail branches in 30 states. From 2007 to 2019, the company grew 20-fold — from $1 billion to $21.71 billion in production.
Employees at Guild Mortgage enjoy being part of a thriving company. Many of the company’s five-star reviews mention the supportive management, friendly people, and growth opportunities. One employee said:
“Very supportive of staff and always quick to help solve problems employees are having.”
Benefits include work-from-home options, health insurance, life insurance, paid time off, and a 401(k).
The San Diego Union-Tribune named Guild Mortgage a Top Place to Work in San Diego in 2021, 2020, 2019, and 2018.
San Diego Employee Relocation Services
Whether you want to pursue an opportunity at one of these top companies to work for in San Diego, or you need to relocate one of your employees to the area, you need experts by your side to help with the transition.
With the help of Best Fit Movers Inc., packing up and relocating to a new place is so much less stressful. We understand that each relocation is different, so we work hard to provide a customer-oriented approach to moving. We will tailor our service offerings to meet your needs.
The Best Fit Movers employee relocation division accommodates employee and company needs. We offer cost-effective moving services, storage solutions, and professional scheduling and logistics. Let us handle the hassle of moving while you focus on preparing for the next chapter of your life.
Our communication is second to none. Your move coordinator will serve as your point of contact during the entire moving process.
Some of the moving services you can expect to receive are:
- Free consultation
- Estimate customized to your needs
- Full-service packing
- Custom crating
- Furniture disassembly/reassembly
- Furniture move-in and installation
- Dollies, straps, packing materials, etc.
Best Fit Movers Inc. is a licensed, bonded, and insured moving company. You can learn more about our Employee Relocation Services here.
Begin Your Move to San Diego
Are you ready to call “America’s Finest City” home? Say hello to sandy beaches, glorious weather, and a never-ending supply of fun attractions for all ages.
We hope this guide to top companies in San Diego has helped you decide if relocating to sunny California is right for you. Not only can you enjoy all that the city has to offer, but you can build your career at some of the world’s top-rated companies.
If you’re ready to begin your move with Best Fit Movers Inc., you can fill out our online form for a free moving estimate.
Our team of dedicated, professional movers looks forward to serving you.
Have more questions?
Contact Best Fit Movers for more information today.
