Item: Caltrans
Rating: 4
Author: Transportation Engineer, Civil

Question 1

Is Caltrans a good company to work for?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 2

Does Caltrans pay their employees well?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 3

How satisfied are employees working at Caltrans?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 4

What are the top reviewed jobs at Caltrans?

Accepted Answer

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)

Question 5

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

Accepted Answer

"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))

Question 6

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

Accepted Answer

"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))

Question 7

What are employees saying about Caltrans layoffs in 2026?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 8

What are the top reviewed Caltrans locations?

Accepted Answer

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

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