Is Caltrans a good company to work for?

Caltrans has an overall rating of 4.1 out of 5, based on over 970 reviews left anonymously by employees. This rating has been stable over the past 12 months. 79% of employees would recommend working at Caltrans to a friend and 76% have a positive outlook for the business. The best reviews about Caltrans have been left by employees working as Associate Right of Way Agent , Civil Engineer and Transportation Engineer, Civil .

Does Caltrans pay their employees well?

According to anonymously submitted Glassdoor reviews, Caltrans employees rate their compensation and benefits as 4.0 out of 5. Find out more about salaries and benefits at Caltrans. This rating has improved by 1% over the last 12 months.

How satisfied are employees working at Caltrans?

79% of Caltrans employees would recommend working there to a friend based on Glassdoor reviews . Employees also rated Caltrans 4.3 out of 5 for work life balance, 3.7 for culture and values and 4.0 for career opportunities.

What are the top reviewed jobs at Caltrans?

Transportation Engineer (89) , Student Assistant (74) , Transportation Engineer, Civil (41) , Associate Governmental Program Analyst (AGPA) (27) , Environmental Planner (23) , Right of Way Agent (15) , Civil Engineer (14) , Engineer (14) , Intern (14) , Associate Transportation Planner (13) , Associate Right of Way Agent (11) , Highway Maintenance Worker (11) , Senior Transportation Engineer (11) , Associate Environmental Planner (10) , Transportation Planner (10)

What are the pros of working at Caltrans according to real employee reviews?

"Good benefits and long" ((in 90 reviews)); "Great work/life balance and a genuine feeling of positive work for the public (even though the public may not see it that way)." ((in 70 reviews)); "Great people to work with and to learn the legal profession" ((in 51 reviews)); "Great place to work.. Job Security ,... very family oriented amongst Co workers ..." ((in 30 reviews)); "Respectful and friendly coworkers" ((in 23 reviews))

What are the cons of working at Caltrans according to real employee reviews?

"Pay is low and they are bit behind technology wise" ((in 47 reviews)); "San Diego is expensive and the salaries are low" ((in 21 reviews)); "Lots of red tape, nepotism." ((in 9 reviews)); "Upper management is incompetent." ((in 8 reviews)); "If you have a bad manager, expect a horrible time working." ((in 8 reviews))

What are employees saying about Caltrans layoffs in 2026?

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

What are the top reviewed Caltrans locations?

Sacramento , Oakland , Los Angeles , San Diego , San Bernardino , Fresno , Marysville , Santa Ana , San Luis Obispo , Eureka , Stockton , Redding , Irvine , Orange , San Francisco , Bakersfield , Fontana , San Jose , Yreka , Bishop , Brea , Long Beach , Riverside , West Sacramento , Alameda , Santa Cruz , Fairfield , Central Valley , Sacramento Valley , Austin

Caltrans reviews

4.1

79% would recommend to a friend

(851 total reviews)

Malcolm Dougherty

67% approve of CEO

76% positive business outlook

Company ratings over time

Ratings trend for the last 6 months (851 reviews)

Ratings by demographic groups

Race / Ethnicity

Gender

Sexual orientation

Disability

Parent or family caregiver

Veteran status

Caltrans has an employee rating of 4.1 out of 5 stars, based on 851 company reviews on Glassdoor which indicates that most employees have an excellent working experience there. The Caltrans employee rating is in line with the average (within 1 standard deviation) for employers within the Government & Public Administration industry (3.6 stars).

Reviews by job title

851 reviews

1.0

Aug 24, 2015

the state is a hard place to get things done

Sssii

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

the union protects you so you really dont need to do anything which sucks for people like myself that actually work.

Cons

the union protects you so you really dont need to do anything which sucks for people like myself that actually work. they pay is awful

3.0

Jul 12, 2015

Associate Environmental Planner (Natural Sciences)/Biologist

Biologist

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

Working for Caltrans as a biologist can be dynamic, challenging, stimulating, and engaging. The position is what you make of it. There are opportunities to influence project design changes to better accommodate wildlife movement or remove fish passage barriers. Working in California has exposed me to numerous ecosystems and permitting challenges. I regularly interact with colleagues at multiple agencies and non-governmental organizations, which I enjoy. Since coming to Caltrans, I have greatly improved my writing skills and environmental permitting knowledge.

Cons

The biggest downside of working at Caltrans is the low pay. Caltrans environmental planners are 30 percent underpaid compared to the median market. This results in high attrition and difficulty in recruiting. Some engineers and project managers do not appreciate the amount of work this position requires or fully understand the importance of the biology department.

3.0

Apr 30, 2015

Personnel, Human Resources, EEO

Superintendent

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

Promotional opportunities, multicultural, diversity, cross training

Cons

There is extreme political stressful environment

Viewing 40 - 42 of 851 Reviews

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Jobs at Caltrans

EQUIPMENT MATERIEL SPECIALIST

CALTRANS HIGHWAY MAINTENANCE WORKER

Caltrans

Caltrans reviews

Company ratings over time

Ratings by demographic groups

Reviews by job title

the state is a hard place to get things done

Associate Environmental Planner (Natural Sciences)/Biologist

Personnel, Human Resources, EEO

Top companies for "Compensation and Benefits" near you

Jobs at Caltrans