Caltrans reviews

4.1

79% would recommend to a friend

(851 total reviews)

Malcolm Dougherty

67% approve of CEO

76% positive business outlook

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
4.0
Mar 31, 2025
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Retirement thru CalPERS Health Benefirst Leave Credit - monthly Works shifts use to be flexible

Cons

* Goal in State employment is to ‘move up the ranks’ to gain salary and retirement benefits. Often managers try to move up their last 3 years to gain higher retirement, then age out. This sets up the system for individuals who wish to gain benefits than perform the job. * Management moves up the rank due to who they know, not based on true management skills as in the private sector. They also take the staff they choose based on ‘yes’ people to accomplish their own goals. * State system is outdated with bureaucracy, old policies and process, many staff say it’s like working in the 1990’s. * State does not have modern resources and often outsource to private contractors to complete work. * Managers don’t truly know how to manage, the training through Leadership programs are archaic and don’t train managers to motivate staff or work through process improvement. I’ve attended in observation of leadership trainings as I was a coordinator once and was surprised why the content of program. Have several friends promoted by choice and they mimic the same sentiment. * Unskilled managers rhetoric: “Thanks for all your work, we know we have less resources, but we trust you’ll get the job done.” Do not complete annual employee performance reviews, independent development plan, or training plans. Often employees have to ask for such evaluations.

5.0
Mar 25, 2025

Great place

Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Great place to work with friendly coworkers and plenty of opportunity for advancement.

Cons

Many layers of approvals to get anything done.

Viewing 61 - 63 of 851 Reviews

Glassdoor has 970 Caltrans reviews submitted anonymously by Caltrans employees. Read employee reviews and ratings on Glassdoor to decide if Caltrans is right for you.