OUR METHODOLOGY
Our Methodology: Top 100 Middle‑Class‑Friendly Companies
Updated: v1.0 — Financial Middle Class
What we measure: We score U.S. employers on eight pillars — wages, healthcare affordability, work‑life balance, paid time off, flexibility, 401(k)+match, skill‑building, and day‑to‑day fulfillment — normalize by industry & region, and award Gold (Top 10) and Blue (Top 11–100) seals.
Eligibility & Scope
- U.S. employers with ≥ 2,500 U.S. employees, or outsized impact on middle‑class workers/consumers.
- Three years of operating history and adequate public disclosure.
- We include roles that are degree‑optional; companies are not penalized for also having degree‑required roles.
- Data window: latest fiscal year + three‑year trend where available.
The Eight Pillars & Weights
| Pillar | Weight | What we look for (abridged) |
|---|---|---|
| Salary & Wages | 30% | Median pay vs. local living wage; share ≥110% living wage; 3‑year real wage growth. |
| Affordable Healthcare (PT + FT + Family) | 20% | Part‑time eligibility; premium share; take‑up rates; deductible/OOP vs. income; dental & vision. |
| Work‑Life Balance | 10% | Predictable scheduling; overtime volatility; stable weekly hours; notice for schedule changes. |
| Vacation & Paid Time Off | 10% | Vacation + sick days; paid parental leave; PTO access for part‑time; carryover rules. |
| Remote / Flexible / Hybrid | 5% | Share of roles with location or hours flexibility; remote days; pay transparency by location. |
| 401(k) + Match | 15% | Auto‑enroll & default; match % & cap; vesting speed; participation rates; PT access. |
| Meaningful, Skill‑Building Work | 5% | Internal promotions; tuition/credential benefits; apprenticeships; frontline→supervisor pipeline. |
| Focused, Productive & Fulfilled | 5% | Effective tools/processes; EAP; commuter/childcare support; employee‑listening & follow‑through. |
Scoring & Safeguards
- Scale: 0–5 per pillar (half‑points allowed). Weighted to 100.
- Normalization: Industry & region z‑scores mapped to 0–5 to prevent sector skew.
- Confidence penalty: −0.5 to a pillar when disclosure is sparse or only self‑reported.
- Red‑lines: Severe/repeat OSHA or labor‑law violations (3y), systemic deceptive pricing, or any pillar < 3.0 (Blue) / < 3.5 (Gold) disqualifies seals.
- Tie‑breakers: Salary & Wages → Healthcare → 401(k)+Match → % of PT roles with equivalent benefits.
How We Publish Each Company
We create a concise company card with: overall score; a 60‑word rationale; three standout metrics; one watch‑out; data year & sources.
*Financial Middle Class-Middle-Class Friendly Corporation Blue Seal
*Financial Middle Class-Middle-Class Friendly Corporation Gold Seal
© Financial Middle Class. Middle‑Class Friendly Corporation™ is a trademark of Financial Middle Class.
