Is Caltech (California) a good company to work for?

Caltech (California) has an overall rating of 4.2 out of 5, based on over 1,096 reviews left anonymously by employees. This rating has increased by 2% over the last 12 months. 74% of employees would recommend working at Caltech (California) to a friend and 70% have a positive outlook for the business. The best reviews about Caltech (California) have been left by employees working as Teaching Assistant , PhD Student and Researcher .

Does Caltech (California) pay their employees well?

According to anonymously submitted Glassdoor reviews, Caltech (California) employees rate their compensation and benefits as 3.8 out of 5. Find out more about salaries and benefits at Caltech (California). This rating has improved by 4% over the last 12 months.

How satisfied are employees working at Caltech (California)?

74% of Caltech (California) employees would recommend working there to a friend based on Glassdoor reviews . Employees also rated Caltech (California) 3.8 out of 5 for work life balance, 4.0 for culture and values and 4.1 for career opportunities.

What are the top reviewed jobs at Caltech (California)?

Graduate Student (71) , Postdoctoral Fellow (63) , Graduate Research Assistant (56) , Postdoctoral Scholar (44) , PhD Student (42) , PhD Graduate Student (40) , Research Assistant (35) , Postdoctoral Researcher (27) , Researcher (21) , Research Scientist (17) , Teaching Assistant (16) , Administrative Assistant (15) , Research Technician (15) , Postdoctoral Research Associate (14) , Summer Undergraduate Research Fellow (13)

What are the pros of working at Caltech (California) according to real employee reviews?

"People are smart and nice." ((in 112 reviews)); "Campus is beautiful and location can't be beat." ((in 59 reviews)); "Good benefits are often given to employees here" ((in 39 reviews)); "Location is great and your colleagues hail from all over the world." ((in 33 reviews)); "Flexible hours and most of the projects are interesting" ((in 17 reviews))

What are the cons of working at Caltech (California) according to real employee reviews?

"Low salary and lots of work" ((in 38 reviews)); "bad work life balance at" ((in 19 reviews)); "Siloed departments and lack of cohesive management" ((in 13 reviews)); "Limited diversity." ((in 7 reviews)); "Hard classes" ((in 6 reviews))

What are employees saying about Caltech (California) layoffs in 2026?

Explore Glassdoor’s employee reviews to understand what current and former employees are saying about Caltech (California) layoffs and their outlook for job security at Caltech (California) in 2026.

What are the top reviewed Caltech (California) locations?

Pasadena , Los Angeles , Baton Rouge , Livingston , Chesterfield , Charlotte , Livingston , Big Pine , Claremont , Glendale , Glendora , Montrose , South Pasadena , Moreno Valley , Rancho Cordova , Palomar Mountain , San Diego , Berkeley , Redwood City , Sausalito , San Jose , San Luis Obispo , Richland , Boston , Pasadena

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Caltech (California)

Caltech (California) reviews

4.2

74% would recommend to a friend

(165 total reviews)

Dr. Thomas F. Rosenbaum

77% approve of CEO

70% positive business outlook

Ratings by category

4.1

Diversity & inclusion

4.1

Career opportunities

4.0

Culture & values

3.8

Work/Life balance

3.8

Senior management

3.8

Compensation and benefits

Ratings by demographic groups

Race / Ethnicity

Gender

Sexual orientation

Disability

Parent or family caregiver

Veteran status

Reviews by job title

165 reviews

Reviews about "Compensation"

Return to all reviews

4.0

Oct 20, 2013

Awesome people to work with, lower salaries as expected from university

Anonymous employee

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

An opportunity to enjoy work with some of the best minds

Cons

Salaries are not too high. There are no annual bonuses.

4.0

Sep 19, 2013

Once in a lifetime experience

Research support assistant

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

Working at Caltech has given opportunities available nowhere else. In a lab position you are encouraged to learn new disciplines and participate in research above and beyond your job description. As a research assistant I was given the opportunity to pursue independent research and co-author several papers. Health care benefits are also generous and the campus facilities and resources (gym, recreational clubs, etc) are available to staff.

Cons

An intense work environment can lead to a feeling that maintaining a good work/life balance is impossible. The situation has improved in the last several years, and there is now more strict enforcement of salaried employees' hours (preventing them from overworking). Salary is not high, and for several years the institute froze raises (including cost of living adjustments).

5.0

Sep 3, 2013

Very happy

Computational scientist

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

Very good experience working with smart undergrad and grads.

Cons

Salary is moderate in CA.

Viewing 154 - 156 of 165 Reviews

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Reviews about "Compensation"

Awesome people to work with, lower salaries as expected from university

Once in a lifetime experience

Very happy

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