Ophthalmology companies rank in Fortune's top 100

New York-Two companies from the ophthalmology industry appeared on Fortune Magazine's list of the "100 Best Companies to Work For in 2008." Genentech came in at number five and Alcon Laboratories at number 60.

At Genentech there are 10,842 employees in the United States. Its most common salaried job is research associate with an average annual pay of $85,880. The South San Francisco company offers 160 hours of professional training to its employees, paid sabbaticals, on-site child care, 100% health care coverage, and an on-site fitness center.

It also tops the charts in diversity with 44% of its employees being minorities and 50% women. Same-sex couples are offered domestic partner benefits and a nondiscrimination policy that includes sexual orientation.

If a Genentech employee goes to work by bicycle, foot, via public transportation, or in a carpool a subsidy of $4 a day is granted.

Alcon is smaller with about half of its employees outside of the United States. Job growth is 6% per year and the most common salaried job pays on average $94,469 per year. Its U.S. headquarters is based in Fort Worth, TX.

Employees of Alcon receive 212 hours of training and have access to an on-site gym. Alcon may offer one of the richest retirement programs in U.S. business with employee contributions matched 2.2 to one.

Diversity is lower with 27% minorities and 47% women. A nondiscrimination policy is in place.