Smokies.LIVE Business Center: Dollywood is the only theme park company recognized in this year’s rankings.
PIGEON FORGE, Tenn. — Dollywood Parks & Resorts has added another national honor to its growing list of workplace accolades after being named to Forbes’ America’s Best Employers for Women 2026 list.
The Pigeon Forge-based company is the only theme park operator recognized in this year’s rankings, earning a spot alongside major travel and hospitality brands including Expedia, Hyatt Hotels, Live Nation, Hard Rock International, Royal Caribbean, Carnival, Hilton and Marriott.
According to Forbes, the rankings are based on online surveys conducted over the past three years with more than 140,000 women employed by U.S. companies and institutions with at least 1,000 employees. Participants evaluated employers on areas including pay equity, career development, parental leave, work-life balance, childcare and eldercare benefits, and how companies handle discrimination and sexual misconduct. Researchers also considered the percentage of women serving in executive and board positions.
The Forbes recognition follows another major honor earlier this year, when Newsweek named Dollywood Parks & Resorts to its America’s Best Workplaces for Women 2026 list.
The latest recognition continues a standout year for the company. In 2026, Dollywood has also been recognized by Newsweek as one of America’s Best Workplaces for Entry-Level Employees, earned honors as one of America’s Greatest Workplaces nationally and in Tennessee, and was named one of TIME’s Best American Private Companies.
Dollywood is continuing to hire for a variety of positions across its parks and resorts. Hiring events are scheduled every Thursday in August from 2 to 6:30 p.m. at the Sevierville Civic Center, with an additional hiring event planned for Saturday, Aug. 8, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort and Spa.
Employees receive a wide range of benefits, including 100% free tuition through Herschend’s GROW U. education program, complimentary park admission for family and friends, free meals during shifts, access to the Dollywood Family Healthcare Center, childcare assistance, and leadership development opportunities in partnership with Walters State Community College.
The continued recognition highlights Dollywood’s reputation not only as one of the Smokies’ top tourist destinations, but also as one of the nation’s leading employers in the travel and hospitality industry.
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