35 Best Small and Medium Workplaces in Chicago

35 best small and medium workplaces in chicago

Fortune Editors

To determine the Best Workplaces in Chicago in 2025, Fortune&nbsp;partnered with global people analytics firm&nbsp;<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.greatplacetowork.com/">Great Place to Work</a> to analyze survey feedback representing nearly 62,000 U.S. employees. (For large companies, also see:<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="http://www.fortune.com/ranking/best-workplaces-chicago-area/2025"> The 15 Best Large Workplaces in Chicago</a>.)

Employees say:"I have always felt valued and seen at this company. I have a support system in my teammates and my manager. I can show up exactly as I am and feel I belong. I am able to balance my personal life and work life easily due to the flexible approach the company has. We are seen as people first, then employees. I also appreciate how quickly the company adapts to changes and employee needs (i.e. working remotely, increased parental leave, mental health benefits) and responds to employee feedback."

Marsh McLennan Agency, Midwest Region

Champion Packaging & Distribution

Employees say:"I truly appreciate the strong sense of trust within the company. I feel valued by my colleagues and empowered by the trust my manager places in me. It’s reassuring to know that whether people are in or out of the office, there is confidence that work will be completed efficiently and to a high standard. This culture of trust allows for autonomy, eliminates the need for micromanagement, and ultimately contributes to a productive and positive work environment."

Basis Technologies

Employees say:"The company is always looking for better ways to help people expand their skillset to better their career advancement both within the company and for their personal goals. This happened to me when I was given an opportunity to focus on UI Design work after being hired as a QA Analyst within my first two years at the company. I was put through some training, and given a position. Since then I've gotten a ton of guidance and feedback and direction in my growth, and I am now years later helping others expand their skillset as well. The company is helping in creating opportunities for this, and creating goals and outlining criteria that helps me better plan and support the people I'm mentoring which is amazing."

Iron Galaxy Studios

Employees say:"The level of caring and connection between the executive suite and the employee teams is refreshing. I love the emphasis on professional development and helping you get the most from your career. My managers are amazing. You can tell they care so much about how their teams are doing."

Flexera Software LLC

Employees say:"I love the fact that the company is very supportive of all the employees. Very flexible schedules which helps everyone, especially benefits those who have kids in school and no babysitters or anyone to rely on. [Also, the company] is so involved in the community, and provides volunteering opportunities for its employees."

Sasser Family Companies

Employees say:"Everyone is given a fair opportunity to share their ideas and contribute to improving the quality and efficiency of our work, which instills a sense of ownership. Management all the way up to the owner of the company are approachable, genuine, and encourage meaningful cross-disciplinary interactions. Internal presentations help facilitate a deeper understanding of what other disciplines do, provide knowledge transfer, and improve teamwork. Everyone understands life can get messy in which case coworkers do cover for each other. Basically, you're treated as a person where everyone is a team member and not just a collection of skills or siloed cog in the machine."

Brindley Engineering Corporation

Employees say:"Being at a family owned business is much better than corporate life. The founder is involved with the business which makes everyone care more about the direction and health of the organization. It also helps develop the family type atmosphere and culture in the office."

OSM Worldwide

Employees say:"I wake up every single day excited to go to work. I’ve worked for other companies before, but the environment that management creates allows us to feel supported. We often have companywide meetings where everyone has the opportunity to speak how they feel and never feel judge. This allows us to feel completely aligned. It’s not easy to find a workplace like this. Not only that, but every time a new person gets hired, we always have a company-wide event so we give new hires the opportunity to bond with us not in a forced environment."

Energy CX

Employees say:"We celebrate success at CCU. This is a great place to work because of the positive culture, you feedback is greatly valued and your work is meaningful. Recognition goes to everyone and anyone by awarding CUdos points that can be redeemed with most popular merchants. The team is approachable and extremely helpful, our goal to put the member first is embraced throughout the organization."

Consumers Credit Union

Employees say:"The management at this company is so down to earth and approachable. They truly listen to employee feedback and use it to constantly work on improving the company. They make employees feel valued and cared about. We also have a unique benefit called FlexTime, which essentially allows employees to earn overtime on top of their base salary which can either be cashed out or converted into additional PTO. This is an amazing benefit and really helps with work/life balance."

Liventus

Employees say:"We are a really agile team and are constantly exploring and implementing new ways to level up our game, make space for ease in our work so that we can overdeliver for our clients, and celebrate each other. Our new status as an employee owned company is just the latest chapter of growth at Bluedog that has created new channels of transparency and accountability between our leadership and our team."

Bluedog Design

Employees say:"The leadership consistently goes above and beyond for both the company and its team members. They create a fun, positive atmosphere that makes working here enjoyable. Throughout the year, team members are treated to various perks and surprises, making us feel appreciated. Our hard work is always recognized, celebrated, and valued. Leadership is forward-thinking, always looking for ways to drive the company forward in our industry, improve day-to-day tasks, and cultivate a culture of growth for each individual. This approach gives me immense confidence in both the company and my role here."

Energy Diagnostics

Employees say:"Each team has immense respect for what the other teams are doing; there is no "us versus them" mentality, and we all work together to achieve the same goal. Additionally, everyone who works here is given the autonomy to do their job from day one. We do not support a micro managerial style, and leadership believes that everyone is fully capable of doing their job and is given the tools and room to do it. &nbsp;Everyone here has instant access to all levels of leadership, as everyone's doors are genuinely open."

Hanson Faso Sales & Marketing

Employees say:"Employees are treated fairly and respectfully. You don't feel like you're being talked down to from management. Feedback is encouraged and we're always looking for ways to do things efficiently. There's no 'we've always done it this way.' The office is bright, open-spaced, and vibrant. The monthly company meetings offer greater transparency about our business. I loved the fact that I was able to transfer departments and they were able to create a new position because of the business needs and my set of skills."

The Radio Flyer Company

Employees say:"Amazing opportunities to give back to the community. We do give backs every quarter and it is amazing to see a company who gives and helps those in need. And also they put on events every quarter or so for our clients to show them how much we appreciate them. It is amazing to see a company who cares! They are very family oriented and always love to have not only their clients but their employees feel like they are part of the family whether that is celebrating them in the office or giving gifts to clients who are going through tough times. Everyone who comes to Goldstone feels loved and like they are part of something bigger!"

Goldstone Financial Group

Employees say:"[There is] freedom to complete the job assigned in the best way possible for the best outcome. Our benefits are amazing, we are provided with the ability to make work life balance a real thing, not just a talking point. Support for a healthy lifestyle is ongoing, and new ways of supporting are always being explored and tried."

Presence Marketing

Employees say:"Working here is very unique, in the way that our organization has a wide range of departments that have different task and skillsets. Unlike many other organizations we are able to actually bring all departments together every day year over year without fail to come together to accomplish our core business models with expertise and knowledge and with great passion with healthy functioning TEAMWORK!"

I-CAR

Employees say:"This company is truly honest when they say they care about work life balance and making people of all kinds feel welcome. We have very strong values that everyone is welcome and it's not just a statement. They facilitate all kinds of activities and teaching to help not only everyone feel welcome but for those who wish to learn more be able to do so and not feel judged for doing so."

Inspire11

Employees say:"Senior management really listens to me and provides me with the tools to be successful. Also, everyone really cares about helping each other whenever they can. Additionally, the company provides a safe work environment in which respect for the individual is paramount. I've been here more than eight years, and this is the best job I've ever had."

HDMZ

Employees say:"This place trusts you. I genuinely feel as if they are always willing to give you the support and resources you need to accomplish something that you believe will make the company better. Unequivocally. I've experienced it both directly and have seen it happen several times."

Revantage

Employees say:"Management is great and they truly believe in us. I am constantly supported in my day-to-day work and if I need help, I can find it just one Slack message away. Our team is encouraged to have a good work-life balance to ensure we are well mentally, physically, and emotionally to take on the tasks at hand. Even as a remote worker, I feel close to my team and co-workers."

Logik.io

Employees say:"Employees have the freedom to suggest ideas, have plenty of opportunities to learn and grow, and are encouraged to take ownership of innovation. Leadership values and implements feedback from all levels, ensuring employees feel heard and have a direct impact on decision-making. Employees are trusted with end-to-end ownership of their projects, fostering accountability and a sense of pride in their work."

Zifo RnD Solutions

Employees say:"The way Campbell Street Services listens to their employees and delivers on the feedback is unique. For example, they just this last year implemented a matching 401k program and tuition reimbursement program after being provided feedback that their staff would like to see those programs implemented into the benefit package."

Campbell Street Senior Living

Employees say:"We have the blessing of being a good mix of great personalities and hard working individuals. I go to work everyday proud to know that everyone around me is working just as hard. And I can laugh and joke with them because we all share in the good hard work that we are doing. Our management help keep us together and support us in a way that encourages feelings of loyalty and respect, which helps us all want to do our best."

Ignite Medical Resorts

Employees say:"This company takes great care in growing very intentionally and sustainably. The company takes particular attention in maintaining a healthy workplace, with a positive work-life balance. Here, the impact of individual contributors is appreciated, and the growth of the contributors is encouraged."

Arya Consulting Partners

Employees say:"This company goes out of its way to create a community and a 'best place to work' environment that makes this place different. &nbsp;There are a million sales jobs to choose from, and Softchoice makes sure to align to each employee in different ways—benefits, compensation, commission, and continuous learning and development. Softchoice will forever be close to my heart because working here feels like 'home'. The people keep you coming back, the work is rewarding, and everyone is on the same team. &nbsp;The culture is here!"

Softchoice, a World Wide Technology company

Employees say:"ARC has a family friendly culture that encourages its employees to maintain a healthy work life balance. They take a holistic approach to business and understand that the mental health of their employees is vital to the success of the company. ARC has also found a way to maintain the positive culture of a small start up company despite growing exponentially over the past decade. This has allowed the company to adapt and adjust quickly and maintain a healthy growth mindset, which is a credit to the leadership."

Advanced Rehabilitation Care

Employees say:"There is something special about HOW we engage with each other and our key stakeholders (patients, advocacy, KOLs, customers) that sets us apart from others in the industry. And I think it stems from our unique and integrated culture at Lundbeck, making it a great place to work!"

Lundbeck

Employees say:"ASCM truly cares about not only the clients and customers but their employees. We are often encouraged to ensure we are having work/life balance or speak up if we feel we are struggling with that. Management is always attentive and understanding; it makes a world of a difference. It truly pushes your moral and strive to do your best work for the company every day because they make you feel like they see you as a person as well and not just an employee. This translates into the customers/clients receiving the best version of us and our work and why ASCM holds such value."

ASCM

Employees say:"I like that we get to meet with the leadership and dev team on a weekly basis and we are included in the new enhancements that are being developed. I also like that it's easy to reach out to our managers/leaders if we need help."

QSRSoft

Employees say:"The CEO is a genuine caring individual who is passionate about our work and helping the community. While running the company he helped found a charity to give directly to families affected by the war in Ukraine. All employees get to benefit from the travel rewards the company gets back from booking travel. We have an annual all-company retreat that is totally paid for by the company and it's been an amazing event both times I've gone. Our company celebrates people's personal achievements as well as their work goals."

Destify

Employees say:"The trust that the leadership team shows in the employee-owners creates a culture of accountability and teamwork. This trust is visible through the open communications about the company's direction, financial performance, goals, initiatives, etc. The leadership wants to ensure that all employee-owners know how we have performed as an organization and what the short term and long term vision is for the company."

Novaspect

Employees say:"Mugen has consistently demonstrated their commitment to fostering a healthy, nurturing work environment. Leadership continuously makes efforts to build rapport with employees, provide opportunities for preprofessional development, and tools to do achieve our goals. Recently, we were given an AI based charting tool to improve our workflow. I haven’t heard of any other employers offer this in my field just yet!"

Mugen Psychiatry

Employees say:"I love that I get to work remotely, but still get a lot of opportunities to come to the office and collaborate with other members of the team. There's no requirement to how often, but I tend to go once a month and it works out great for me and my team. I feel like I have a lot of autonomy to make large strategic decisions, and suggest changes to processes that I feel will have a big impact, and leadership listens to them and trusts our expertise. I feel like they care about my ideas and not just my output."

Zoro

The Top 10

Fortune partnered with Great Place to Work to analyze survey feedback representing nearly 62,000 U.S. employees.

35 Best Small and Medium Workplaces in Chicago

35 Best Small and Medium Workplaces in Chicago Ranking (2025)