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?

"Great benefits and time off" ((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 53 reviews)); "Great place to work.. Job Security ,... very family oriented amongst Co workers ..." ((in 26 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 49 reviews)); "San Diego is expensive and the salaries are low" ((in 23 reviews)); "Lots of red tape, nepotism." ((in 9 reviews)); "If you have a bad manager, expect a horrible time working." ((in 9 reviews)); "Poor upper management." ((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

1.0

Oct 24, 2017

Worst job I ever had.

Office technician

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

The only pros I can think of, is there are good benefits but is not worth the unsafe work environment.

Cons

A lot of discrimination, sexual harassment, and severe retaliation for coming forward making Caltrans a very unsafe work environment.

4.0

Mar 13, 2014

It's Hit or Miss

Associate personnel analyst

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

The pros and con depend on who you are. I appreciated not being allowed to work overtime, others may not. You are able to take on as much or as little work as you are capable of doing. Fairly good benefits and retirement if you don't die of boredom.

Cons

There are a ton of lazy and/or incompetent people who are frustrating to work with. However this is also a "pro" because if you have an ambitious bone in your body, you can move up when positions become available (if they like you personally).

2.0

Feb 1, 2019

Caltrans needs reform

Associate environmental planner

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

Online training friendliness experience IT staff

Cons

During the panel interview, senior planners said the assignment involved maintenance only. Job offer arrived 7-mo. after the interview and involved a capital improvement ending in lawsuit. I was assigned to a supervisor with <6.mo. at supervising who said not to ask questions. She didn't invite me to group meetings either and said I missed a deadline, but IT said she didn't give permissions so I could use their database. Professional planning ethics aren't supported neither were pursuing AICPA designation.

Viewing 10 - 12 of 851 Reviews

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Jobs at Caltrans

CALTRANS HIGHWAY MAINTENANCE WORKER

CALTRANS HIGHWAY MAINTENANCE WORKER

TRANSPORTATION SURVEYOR (CALTRANS)

Caltrans

Caltrans reviews

Company ratings over time

Ratings by demographic groups

Reviews by job title

Worst job I ever had.

It's Hit or Miss

Caltrans needs reform

Top companies for "Compensation and Benefits" near you

Jobs at Caltrans