Ten Companies Hiring Strongly

10 Companies Hiring the Most

Companies that have added to their workforce in 2009 fit into several categories. Some, like Costco or outsourcer Cognizant Technology Solutions, offer customers great value during a downturn. Others, like the cable television company Comcast and Amazon.com, are successfully moving into new markets. Health companies like UnitedHealth and Express Scripts continue expanding even with health reform legislation. Here is Forbes' list of the 10 public U.S.-based companies whose headcount grew the most last year. Our list, based on data from FactSet, excludes companies whose increased headcounts are simply due to acquisitions. The data does not break out how many of the new jobs are domestic positions.

(AP Photo/Scott Sady)

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Ten Companies Hi... Companies that have added to their workforce in 2009 fit into several categories. Some, like Costco or outsourcer Cognizant Technology Solutions, offer customers great value during a downturn. Others, like the cable television company Comcast and Amazon.com, are successfully moving into new markets. Health companies like UnitedHealth and Express Scripts continue expanding even with health reform legislation. Here is Forbes' list of the 10 public U.S.-based companies whose headcount grew the most last year. Our list, based on data from FactSet, excludes companies whose increased headcounts are simply due to acquisitions. The data does not break out how many of the new jobs are domestic positions.

(AP Photo/Scott Sady)
Cognizant Techno... Teaneck, N.J.

Computer Outsourcing

Hired: 16,700

Total Headcount: 78,400

The company built new computing centers in India--but also hired in its Phoenix delivery center.

(Getty Images)
Lowe's Mooresville, N.C.

Home Improvement Retailer

Hired: 10,000

Total Headcount: 238,000

This big box retailer opened 60 stores in the U.S. last year.

(AP Photo/Danny Johnston)
Tyson Foods Springdale, Ark.

Meat Producer

Hired: 10,000

Total Headcount: 117,000

Chicken grower added poultry processing jobs in the U.S. and new international operations.

(AP Photo/April L. Brown)
Comcast Philadelphia, Pa.

Broadcasting and Cable

Hired: 7,000

Total Headcount: 107,000

The big cable company is making a push with telephone service and high-speed Internet for businesses.

(Getty Images/William Thomas Cain)
Best Buy Richfield, Minn.

Electronics Retailer

Hired: 5,000

Total Headcount: 155,000

Best Buy has flourished since Circuit City went under. It plans to open 50 new large stores and 75 smaller ones this year.

(Getty Images/Joe Raedle)
UnitedHealth Minnetonka, Minn.

Health Insurance

Hired: 5,000

Total Headcount: 75,000

The HMO industry is bracing for 32 million new customers it will get from President Obama's health care overhaul.

(AP Photo/Jim Mone)
Costco Wholesale... Issaquah, Wash.

Retail

Hired: 4,000

Total Headcount: 79,000

During a downturn, the club warehouse chain opened 18 new locations.

AP Photo/Paul Sakuma)
Apollo Group Phoenix, Ariz.

Education

Hired: 3,800

Total Headcount: 21,500

Better known as the University of Phoenix, the company is capitalizing on increased demand for professional training in a tight economy.
Amazon.com Seattle, Wash.

Online Retailing

Hired: 3,600

Total Headcount: 24,300

The Kindle electronic reader is a big hit.

(AP Photo/Scott Sady)
Express Scripts St. Louis, Mo.

Pharmacy Benefits Management

Hired: 3,500

Total Headcount: 14,300

The big pharmacy benefits manager has added 250 new salesmen as clients look for ways to save health dollars.

(Peter Newcomb/Bloomberg via Getty Images?
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