Is Caltech (California) a good company to work for?

Caltech (California) has an overall rating of 4.2 out of 5, based on over 1,094 reviews left anonymously by employees. This rating has increased by 2% over the last 12 months. 74% of employees would recommend working at Caltech (California) to a friend and 70% have a positive outlook for the business. The best reviews about Caltech (California) have been left by employees working as Teaching Assistant , PhD Student and Researcher .

Does Caltech (California) pay their employees well?

According to anonymously submitted Glassdoor reviews, Caltech (California) employees rate their compensation and benefits as 3.8 out of 5. Find out more about salaries and benefits at Caltech (California). This rating has improved by 4% over the last 12 months.

How satisfied are employees working at Caltech (California)?

74% of Caltech (California) employees would recommend working there to a friend based on Glassdoor reviews . Employees also rated Caltech (California) 3.8 out of 5 for work life balance, 4.0 for culture and values and 4.1 for career opportunities.

What are the top reviewed jobs at Caltech (California)?

Graduate Student (71) , Postdoctoral Fellow (63) , Graduate Research Assistant (56) , Postdoctoral Scholar (44) , PhD Student (42) , PhD Graduate Student (40) , Research Assistant (35) , Postdoctoral Researcher (27) , Researcher (21) , Research Scientist (17) , Teaching Assistant (16) , Administrative Assistant (15) , Research Technician (15) , Postdoctoral Research Associate (13) , Summer Undergraduate Research Fellow (13)

What are the pros of working at Caltech (California) according to real employee reviews?

"My PI is great and the people I work with are fantastic." ((in 109 reviews)); "Campus is beautiful and location can't be beat." ((in 63 reviews)); "Good benefits are often given to employees here" ((in 42 reviews)); "Location is great and your colleagues hail from all over the world." ((in 34 reviews)); "Nice Staff" ((in 17 reviews))

What are the cons of working at Caltech (California) according to real employee reviews?

"Low pay and you lab may expect you to work a lot" ((in 54 reviews)); "Low salary and lots of work" ((in 35 reviews)); "bad work life balance at" ((in 20 reviews)); "Siloed departments and lack of cohesive management" ((in 14 reviews)); "long hours and having to work a sunday" ((in 12 reviews))

What are employees saying about Caltech (California) layoffs in 2026?

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

What are the top reviewed Caltech (California) locations?

Pasadena , Los Angeles , Baton Rouge , Livingston , Chesterfield , Charlotte , Livingston , Big Pine , Claremont , Glendale , Glendora , Montrose , South Pasadena , Moreno Valley , Rancho Cordova , Palomar Mountain , San Diego , Berkeley , Redwood City , Sausalito , San Jose , San Luis Obispo , Richland , Boston , Pasadena

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Caltech (California)

Caltech (California) reviews

4.2

74% would recommend to a friend

(980 total reviews)

Dr. Thomas F. Rosenbaum

77% approve of CEO

70% positive business outlook

Ratings by category

4.1

Diversity & inclusion

4.1

Career opportunities

4.0

Culture & values

3.8

Work/Life balance

3.8

Senior management

3.8

Compensation and benefits

Caltech (California) has an employee rating of 4.2 out of 5 stars, based on 980 company reviews on Glassdoor which indicates that most employees have an excellent working experience there. The Caltech (California) 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

980 reviews

1.0

Aug 16, 2015

Not worth it.

Anonymous employee

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

Looks good on the resume.

Cons

Caltech is a pressure cooker. They hire very smart people and dumb them down by assigning stupid tasks with no support. Do not speak out or exercise an employee right or you'll be retaliated against. Provost Stolper is an arrogant dictator. Thus far, Rosenbaum doesn't seem any better. HR/legal is like the Third Reich. Google "Caltech retaliation lawsuit" and read the entire espionage lawsuit posted online. Caltech does not deserve to keep JPL. It's not worth working at Caltech.

4.0

Aug 11, 2015

Caltech researcher

Research scientist

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

Community is very helpful, friendly. Everyone is here to do the best work and contribute wherever and however they can. Collaboration is encouraged. Compensation appears to be excellent at upper ranks. Benefits typical of large universities.

Cons

Compensation is typical, or on the lower end at less than highest ranks. A tradeoff for working with excellent people. Implicit pressure to always give more. Could do more to encourage healthy lifestyle.

4.0

Aug 4, 2015

Great place to work and study

Graduate student

Recommend

CEO approval

Business Outlook

Pros

My experience at Caltech is characterized by stimulating conversations with thoughtful and interesting people. Definately a place to be challenged and perform quality research

Cons

The standards are vey high, so there can be a lot of stress and pressure to meet high standards. This is hard, but can be rewarding.

Viewing 799 - 801 of 980 Reviews

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Jobs at Caltech (California)

Administrative Assistant

Dishwasher - Caltech Dining Services

Administrative Assistant

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Caltech (California)

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Not worth it.

Caltech researcher

Great place to work and study

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