Guatemala’s Most Attractive Employers Recognized in EMAT 2026 Rankings

Guatemala’s leading companies have been recognized in the 2026 edition of the Empresas Más Atractivas para Trabajar (EMAT) ranking, an annual survey conducted by Tecoloco that identifies the organizations people consider most attractive as employers. The results highlight businesses across multiple industries, including banking, retail, manufacturing, food and beverage, and professional services, offering a snapshot of how companies are positioned in the country’s labor market.

Now marking 20 years of evaluating employer attractiveness in Central America, EMAT presents several classifications, including a general ranking, a managerial ranking, and lists based on company location and industry. The 2026 edition recognizes 50 organizations in Guatemala and provides a reference for understanding which companies stand out among people considering career opportunities in the country.

Banco Industrial Leads Guatemala’s EMAT 2026 General Ranking

Banco Industrial secured first place in the general ranking of Guatemala’s most attractive employers, followed by Licores de Guatemala in second place, Walmart in third, PepsiCo in fourth, and Progreso in fifth. Corporación Multi Inversiones (CMI) ranked sixth, followed by EEGSA / EPM Guatemala, CEMACO, Cervecería Ambev, and BAC Credomatic, completing the Top 10. The results include companies from different sectors, reflecting the variety of organizations competing to attract professionals and strengthen their employer brands.

The managerial ranking presented a different order, reflecting preferences among executive-level talent. Progreso took first place, followed by Licores de Guatemala and CMI. PepsiCo ranked fourth, while Kellogg’s/Kellanova completed the top five. The distinction between the two classifications provides a broader view of employer attractiveness, as preferences among managerial professionals may differ from those reflected in the overall survey.

Local, Multinational, and Regional Companies Earn Recognition

EMAT 2026 also classified companies according to their geographic and operational presence. In the local companies category, EEGSA / EPM Guatemala ranked first, followed by CEMACO and Bantrab. Walmart led the multinational companies ranking, with PepsiCo in second place and Progreso in third. Meanwhile, Banco Industrial secured the top position among regional companies, followed by Licores de Guatemala and Banco G&T Continental.

These classifications highlight the different types of organizations represented in Guatemala’s employment landscape. Locally established companies, multinational corporations, and regional businesses compete for talent through their workplace environments, career opportunities, and organizational cultures. The results also show that employer attractiveness is not limited to a particular industry or company structure, with organizations from several sectors appearing across the different classifications.

BPO and Automotive Companies Also Feature in the Rankings

The sector-based results recognize companies operating in specialized areas of Guatemala’s economy. In the business process outsourcing (BPO) and call center category, Everise ranked among the top five employers, while VXI secured a position within the top 15. In the automotive sector, Grupo Continental Motores also placed among the top five. Other categories included banking and finance, commercial businesses, mass consumption, pharmaceuticals and laboratories, industrial companies, and services.

The recognition of companies across these sectors reflects the range of employment opportunities available in Guatemala, from financial services and retail to manufacturing, customer operations, and specialized services. The sector classifications also provide a more detailed perspective on employer preferences, allowing companies to understand how they are positioned within their respective industries.

EMAT Marks 20 Years of Measuring Employer Attractiveness

According to Tecoloco, EMAT is a perception-based survey designed to identify the companies people would most like to work for and where they would consider developing their careers. Its methodology evaluates 14 factors related to employer brand, including compensation, benefits, workplace environment, mental health, work-life balance, leadership, professional growth, inclusion, and organizational culture. These elements provide a framework for understanding how people perceive companies as potential employers.

During the 2026 recognition event, Chris Kraudy, Country Manager of Tecoloco Guatemala, emphasized that organizations must continue working to maintain their position in the labor market. The results recognize 50 companies and offer businesses a reference point for assessing their employer positioning as they compete to attract and retain talent. As workforce expectations continue to evolve, workplace culture, professional development, and employee well-being remain relevant considerations for organizations seeking to strengthen their appeal among job candidates.

Source: Prensa Líbre