Principal Financial Group took the top spot in the Forbes “America’s Best Employers by State” rankings in Iowa, leading a group of 29 employers in the state that received recognition. University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield, Ankeny Community School District and Deere and Co. rounded out the top five. To compile the list, Forbes partnered with market research firm Statista to survey 70,000 full- or part-time employees across all 50 states and the District of Columbia who work at companies with more than 500 workers nationwide. Participants were asked whether they would recommend their employer to friends and family, and to evaluate their employer based on criteria including working conditions, diversity, compensation packages, potential for development and company image. Participants were also asked to assess employers beyond their own: Respondents could evaluate employers in their particular state; nationally, participants were able to rate employers anywhere within their respective industries. All surveys were anonymous. See the full list of Iowa employers that made the list here.