Is Caltrans a good company to work for?

Caltrans has an overall rating of 4.1 out of 5, based on over 973 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 retirement plans" ((in 97 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 64 reviews)); "Great people to work with and to learn the legal profession" ((in 53 reviews)); "Job security is very good" ((in 26 reviews)); "Respectful and friendly coworkers" ((in 20 reviews))

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

"High turnover because of low pay" ((in 49 reviews)); "San Diego is expensive and the salaries are low" ((in 21 reviews)); "Lots of red tape, nepotism." ((in 9 reviews)); "If you have a bad manager, expect a horrible time working." ((in 9 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

Caltrans reviews

4.1

79% would recommend to a friend

(853 total reviews)

Malcolm Dougherty

67% approve of CEO

76% positive business outlook

Company ratings over time

Ratings trend for the last 6 months (853 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 853 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

853 reviews

4.0

Apr 26, 2018

Caltrans review

Senior transportation engineer

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

Good benefits and stable work hours.

Cons

Upper management salaries not comensurate with private sector.

1.0

Apr 20, 2018

Maintenance

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

Benefits, retirement, union, job security.

Cons

Run like the mafia. No promotion without connections. Promotions are merely salary increases without increased responsibilities. So many layers of well connected supervisors bully the few workers who did not have the connections to promote. Discrimination based on race and nepotism. Stressful, dead end jobs.

3.0

Apr 3, 2018

Engineer

Senior civil engineer

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

Steady paycheck, low pressure, ok advancement potential, defined duties and responsibilities. If you just want to slide through life, this is the place for you.

Cons

A typical politically correct public agency. If you are an in the box herd thinker welcome to your cubical feedlot. Prepare to get fat and stupid and then retire after 30 years.

Viewing 658 - 660 of 853 Reviews

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Jobs at Caltrans

EQUIPMENT MATERIEL SPECIALIST

HIGHWAY EQUIPMENT SUPERINTENDENT I

CALTRANS HIGHWAY MAINTENANCE WORKER

CALTRANS HIGHWAY MAINTENANCE WORKER

Caltrans

Caltrans reviews

Company ratings over time

Ratings by demographic groups

Reviews by job title

Caltrans review

Maintenance

Engineer

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Jobs at Caltrans