HDR Ranks No. 6 Among Top Design Firms
HDR is once again the No. 6 top design firm, according to annual rankings by Engineering News-Record. The list ranks the 500 largest U.S.-based design firms, both publicly and privately held, by design-specific revenue.
It marks the 12th consecutive year the company has placed in the top 10 and the fourth year in a row sitting just outside the Top 5. HDR’s 2025 design revenue was $3.7 billion, up from $3.4 billion the previous year.
“This year's ranking is evidence of what teams can do when they are focused on delivering quality results for our clients,” said John Henderson, HDR chairman and chief executive officer. “HDR’s commitment to collaboration is a key driver of our continued success, and we are grateful for the trust that our clients, partners, communities and employee-owners put in us every day.”
Like last year, the top 10 firms accounted for about one-third of all design revenue. ENR reports that the surging demand for data centers and continued focus on artificial intelligence are shaping and challenging the industry.
HDR moved up a notch in telecommunications work and switched places with AECOM in the sewer and waste sector, moving from 7th to 6th place.
HDR secured top 10 spots in the following sectors:
- Pure Designers: No. 3
- Transportation: No. 5
- Water: No. 5
- Sewer and Waste: No. 6
- Telecommunications: No. 6
- General Building: No. 9
Records continued for the firm last year. After reaching more than 14,000 employees, HDR in October 2025 became the fifth-largest employee-owned company in the U.S., according to a report from the National Center for Employee Ownership (NCEO). It’s the first time the professional services firm has been ranked that high.
About HDR
HDR is a 100% employee-owned professional services firm. Founded over a century ago to bring electricity to a changing world, we are now a global company specializing in architecture, engineering, environmental and construction services. Our success in built and natural environments continues as we collaborate to solve our clients’ and communities’ most complex challenges.
