Is Caltrans a good company to work for?

Caltrans has an overall rating of 4.1 out of 5, based on over 974 reviews left anonymously by employees. This rating has been stable over the past 12 months. 80% of employees would recommend working at Caltrans to a friend and 78% 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?

80% 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?

"Great benefits and Hours." ((in 94 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 62 reviews)); "Great people to work with and to learn the legal profession" ((in 49 reviews)); "Great place to work.. Job Security ,... very family oriented amongst Co workers ..." ((in 25 reviews)); "Respectful and friendly coworkers" ((in 21 reviews))

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

"High turnover because of low pay" ((in 46 reviews)); "Bad management and quarter review" ((in 29 reviews)); "San Diego is expensive and the salaries are low" ((in 20 reviews)); "Lots of red tape, nepotism." ((in 10 reviews)); "Upper management is incompetent." ((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 , Redding , Stockton , 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

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Caltrans

Caltrans reviews

4.1

80% would recommend to a friend

(854 total reviews)

Malcolm Dougherty

67% approve of CEO

78% positive business outlook

Ratings by category

4.3

Diversity & inclusion

4.3

Work/Life balance

4.0

Compensation and benefits

4.0

Career opportunities

3.7

Culture & values

3.6

Senior management

Caltrans has an employee rating of 4.1 out of 5 stars, based on 854 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).

Ratings by demographic groups

Race / Ethnicity

Gender

Sexual orientation

Disability

Parent or family caregiver

Veteran status

Reviews by job title

854 reviews

4.0

Jul 13, 2021

Lots to learn

Personnel specialist

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

Great coworkers Full time options Good benefits

Cons

Training lacks Nothing is ever clear or concise Outdated materials & reference NEVER enough staff Unpaid for amount of work High expectations Too many workloads to be successful

4.0

Jul 6, 2021

Electrical Student Intern Experience

Student intern

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

Lots of experience working in a professional engineering office space. Recommended for people who like to work in an office setting. There isn't much engineering knowledge needed. Relatively lax workload. Will vary depending on your supervisor.

Cons

The workload might not be interesting for everybody and lots of paperwork feels like a generic work space. Less engineering and more paperwork involved if you are looking for more hands-on engineering work.

5.0

Jul 4, 2021

Best place to work as a civil engineering intern

Engineering intern

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

They work around your school schedule to make sure you get your classes done and be available to show up to work. Job location midtown sac, always somewhere good to eat and walking distance.

Cons

Had to share the building with other companies. Finding a parking spot and moving the car every 2 hrs is a pain.

Viewing 499 - 501 of 854 Reviews

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Jobs at Caltrans

CALTRANS LANDSCAPE MAINTENANCE WORKER

CALTRANS LANDSCAPE MAINTENANCE WORKER

CALTRANS HIGHWAY MAINTENANCE WORKER

OFFICE TECHNICIAN (TYPING)

CALTRANS LANDSCAPE MAINTENANCE WORKER