Good place to start a career, but... - Anonymous employee Caltrans Employee Review

2.0
Apr 13, 2010
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Good place for an engineer to start his or her career. The rotation program is excellent and can't be beat. The benefits are very good especially if you have a family. There are some very knowledgeable people, but you have to hunt them down, through "the weeds."

Cons

Caltrans suffers from 'civil servant' disease. This disease infects everybody to some degree who works for the government after a few years. It takes an act of the State Legislature to fire some one. Most senior managers don't know how to manage effectively. It's hard to witness incompetence on all levels. There is no incentive to excel and if you do, you will get burned! This is coming from experience.

Explore other reviews about Caltrans

5.0
Jun 19, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

You'll learn a lot, good place to start as an ITA..

Cons

The pay for state might not be that great.

4.0
Jul 5, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

* most executives and office chief leaderships are supportive and easy to talk to. * great diversity in the workplace, with many people from varying background being represented and promoted. * great work-life balance if you're a specialist.

Cons

* some senior branch chiefs end up working on weekends. * not specific to department, but state workers keep getting their raises cut.

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