Is Caltrans a good company to work for?

Caltrans has an overall rating of 4.0 out of 5, based on over 974 reviews left anonymously by employees. This rating has decreased by 2% over the last 12 months. 80% of employees would recommend working at Caltrans to a friend and 78% 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?

80% 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 retirement." ((in 100 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 60 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 28 reviews)); "Respectful and friendly coworkers" ((in 22 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)); "Bad management and quarter review" ((in 32 reviews)); "San Diego is expensive and the salaries are low" ((in 21 reviews)); "The supervisors are abusive." ((in 11 reviews)); "Lots of red tape, nepotism." ((in 9 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

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Caltrans

Caltrans reviews

4.0

80% would recommend to a friend

(209 total reviews)

Malcolm Dougherty

67% approve of CEO

78% positive business outlook

Ratings by category

4.3

Diversity & inclusion

4.3

Work/Life balance

4.0

Compensation and benefits

4.0

Career opportunities

3.7

Culture & values

3.6

Senior management

Ratings by demographic groups

Race / Ethnicity

Gender

Sexual orientation

Disability

Parent or family caregiver

Veteran status

Reviews by job title

209 reviews

Reviews about "Compensation"

Return to all reviews

4.0

Mar 28, 2021

Great work/life balance

Associate environmental planner

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

Great benefits and work life balance. Your life outside of work is respected. The workplace is not stressful. Amazing place to learn about how government agencies operate and build your resume in public service.

Cons

The majority of the workplace is over 55 and contains employees who have been working there for decades. This makes it a difficult workplace to enact change, as many people who work there are comfortable and deeply resistant to change. This does affect retention of younger employees.

4.0

Mar 9, 2021

Pretty easy job with a great work-life balance

Structural design technician

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

Great work-life balance Great benefits Lots of Annual Leave

Cons

Pay is low compared to a lot of private firms Work can be a little slow

4.0

Mar 9, 2021

Work on everything, deal with everything

Heavy equipment mechanic

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

If you love learning and working on everything with an engine, including street sweepers, dump trucks, diesel, propane, trailers, snow removal, and everything else, this is the place to be. Good people to work for, decent pay for a government job, and lots of opportunities to advance up the ladder.

Cons

Paperwork. So much paperwork. Some cowokers are there for the ride and take their time on work to the point they might as well walk backwards. Periods of time where it's "rush rush rush" to get a job finished only for it to sit in the parking lot tied up by red tape. It's a government state job, be warned.

Viewing 145 - 147 of 209 Reviews

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Jobs at Caltrans

OFFICE TECHNICIAN (TYPING)

OFFICE TECHNICIAN (TYPING)

SENIOR TRANSPORTATION PLANNER