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

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

3.0

Jul 31, 2015

Stable but Undervalued

Transportation planner

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

Casual working environment with plenty of opportunity to learn new skills through internal courses and seminars. The benefits are good, but I wouldn't say they're better than what I had in the private sector.

Cons

Transportation Planners are undervalued with the State of California. Other units compensate for professional certification, but the State does not do the same for AICP. There is no incentive for planners to stay up to date with the transportation planning practice. Until the older generation of employees retires, it is very difficult to effect change within.

3.0

Jul 25, 2015

Transportation Planner

Anonymous employee

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

If all you want is job security, Caltrans is the place for you. The unions make Caltrans almost impossible to fire people. Highly family oriented. Management is generally very understanding about any family issues/emergencies. Great place for people who want to take care of this kids well.

Cons

Of course it is a gigantic bureaucracy - it is government. Everyday is slow and inefficient, just like the movie "Office Space".

3.0

May 30, 2015

tax specialist

Tax specialist

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

Good balance as far as work & family

Cons

Low salaries, no room for growth and lacks training staff

Viewing 808 - 810 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

Stable but Undervalued

Transportation Planner

tax specialist

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Jobs at Caltrans