Does California State University pay their employees well?

According to anonymously submitted Glassdoor reviews, California State University employees rate their compensation and benefits as 3.3 out of 5. Find out more about salaries and benefits at California State University. This rating has improved by 8% over the last 12 months.

How satisfied are employees working at California State University?

68% of California State University employees would recommend working there to a friend based on Glassdoor reviews . Employees also rated California State University 3.7 out of 5 for work life balance, 3.9 for culture and values and 3.3 for career opportunities.

What are the top reviewed jobs at California State University?

Student Assistant (31) , Graduate Assistant (9) , Adjunct Professor (8) , Administrative Assistant (7) , Graduate Teaching Assistant (5) , Research Assistant (5) , Adjunct Faculty (4) , Analyst (4) , Associate Professor (4) , Assistant Professor (3) , Lecturer (3) , Professor (3) , Teaching Assistant (3) , Teaching Associate (3) , Tutor (3)

What are the pros of working at California State University according to real employee reviews?

"People are good and nice." ((in 28 reviews)); "Great benefits as expected from a government job." ((in 26 reviews)); "Best part is flexible hours of working" ((in 13 reviews)); "The staff here is friendly" ((in 10 reviews)); "Growth driven environment, great colleagues, positive benefits both on and off campus, opportunity to grow from student to FT staff role" ((in 9 reviews))

What are the cons of working at California State University according to real employee reviews?

"Pay was low but compared to work it was not bad" ((in 33 reviews)); "low salary, 30 to 40% lower than private sector" ((in 13 reviews)); "It's staff going so far as to post on social media how abusive management practices are productive says it all." ((in 8 reviews)); "Worked here as a student tutor, so did not receive benefits, good wages, or good hours." ((in 2 reviews))

What are employees saying about California State University layoffs in 2026?

Explore Glassdoor’s employee reviews to understand what current and former employees are saying about California State University layoffs and their outlook for job security at California State University in 2026.

What are the top reviewed California State University locations?

Long Beach , Los Angeles , Fullerton , Chico , Northridge , San Bernardino , Hayward , Sacramento , Fresno , San Marcos , San Francisco , Bakersfield , San Jose , San Luis Obispo , Alhambra , Carson , Monterey Park , Simi Valley , Seaside , San Diego , Union City , Houston , Clovis , Arcadia , Azusa , Downey , El Monte , Orange , Pasadena , Pomona

Skip to content Skip to footer

Notifications

California State University

California State University reviews

3.9

68% would recommend to a friend

(384 total reviews)

Timothy P. White

80% approve of CEO

52% positive business outlook

Ratings by category

4.4

Diversity & inclusion

3.9

Culture & values

3.7

Work/Life balance

3.4

Senior management

3.3

Compensation and benefits

3.3

Career opportunities

California State University has an employee rating of 3.9 out of 5 stars, based on 384 company reviews on Glassdoor which indicates that most employees have a good working experience there. The California State University employee rating is in line with the average (within 1 standard deviation) for employers within the Education industry (3.7 stars).

Ratings by demographic groups

Race / Ethnicity

Gender

Sexual orientation

Disability

Parent or family caregiver

Veteran status

Reviews by job title

384 reviews

5.0

Mar 3, 2016

Assistant Professor

Anonymous employee

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

Flexible time allows for more freedom

Cons

Not as good pay or salary

5.0

Jan 11, 2016

..

Anonymous employee

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

Great professors to work with. They help you learn as you work with them and are extremely encouraging towards tutors and students alike

Cons

None that I came across during my tenure with the university

3.0

Jan 25, 2012

Nice place to work. Like the mission. In some cases, senior management and leadership are severly lacking.

Anonymous employee

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

Great location. Great benefits. Okay pay. Lots of development opportunities if you work for good management/leadership. Opportunity to work with highly talented people overall.

Cons

Buerocratic red-tape and senior management's risk adversity in certain areas can make it difficult to get things done...in fact it can be downright oppressive and demotivating.

Viewing 379 - 381 of 384 Reviews

Top companies for "Compensation and Benefits" near you

University of Michigan

3.9★Compensation & Benefits

University of Washington

3.5★Compensation & Benefits

NYU (New York University)

3.9★Compensation & Benefits

Stanford University

3.6★Compensation & Benefits

Jobs at California State University

Assistant Statistical Analyst

Long Beach, CA

View job

Clerical & Administrative Support Opportunities

Administrative Coordinator

California

View job

Temporary Faculty Pool, Information Systems & Operations Management

Dominguez, CA

View job

California State University reviews FAQs

Reviews California State University reviews

California State University

California State University reviews

Ratings by category

Ratings by demographic groups

Reviews by job title

Assistant Professor

..

Nice place to work. Like the mission. In some cases, senior management and leadership are severly lacking.

Top companies for "Compensation and Benefits" near you

Jobs at California State University

California State University reviews FAQs

Want the inside scoop on your own company?

Bowls

Followed companies

Job searches

Top companies for "Compensation and Benefits" near you

California State University reviews FAQs

Jobs at California State University