The Times-Dispatch's list of the top area employers was compiled by the business news staff using information provided by the employers and the Virginia Employment Commission.

Except for federal government figures, the Top 50 rankings compare work-force levels by full-time equivalency. Federal government figures are based on head counts.

Full-time equivalent employment is the number of full-time workers plus a proportion of part-time employees. For instance, two part-timers at a company who individually typically work 20 hours a week would be considered one full-time equivalent, or FTE.

In some cases, especially for retailers, the number was estimated. Excluded from the rankings are temporary-employment agencies.

Also excluded is Kings Dominion, the Hanover County theme park, which has about 2,500 employees during its peak summer season but only about 120 working full time year-round.