Cal Trans Salary

How Much Does Cal Trans Pay for employees?

As of August 2026, the average hourly salary for employees at Cal Trans in the United States is $36. This translates to an approximate annual wage of $75,403. Salaries at Cal Trans typically range from $32 to $41 hourly, reflecting the diverse roles and experience levels within the company. Cal Trans’s salaries are influenced by a wide range of factors including job role, department, years of experience, and location.
DISCLAIMER: The salary range presented here is an estimation that has been derived from our proprietary algorithm. It should be noted that this range does not originate from the company's factual payroll records or survey data.

How Much Does Cal Trans Pay for Different Roles?

The table below outlines the annual salary ranges for popular roles within the company, helping you benchmark potential earnings. Use 'View by Card/Table' option to find the data most relevant to your career path.

Business Development Representative

$88,392 / year

Salary Range: $78,558 - $100,049

Business Development

Comfort Advisor

$102,081 / year

Salary Range: $89,023 - $115,014

Production

Customer Resolution Representative

$89,284 / year

Salary Range: $78,772 - $100,942

Safety and Security

Customer Service / Dispatcher

$34,942 / year

Salary Range: $31,329 - $41,840

Retail

Customer Service Representative

$40,328 / year

Salary Range: $36,517 - $45,032

Customer Service

Dispatcher

$50,054 / year

Salary Range: $43,733 - $58,018

Logistics

DISCLAIMER: The salary range presented here is an estimation that has been derived from our proprietary algorithm. It should be noted that this range does not originate from the company's factual payroll records or survey data.

Turn Insight into Opportunity: Current Job Openings

Ready for your next career move? Explore current job openings at Cal Trans.
Loading results...

About Cal Trans: Company Profile

Website
www.dot.ca.gov
Founded In
2010
Employees
15,000 - 50,000 employees
Industry
Construction
Headquarter Location
WEST POINT
Revenue
<$5 Million
Phone Number
-
Social Media

Employee Reviews: Insights on Salary, Culture & Work-Life

Gain authentic perspectives from current and former employees. These anonymous reviews offer invaluable insights into Cal Trans's culture, work-life balance, management, and employee sentiment regarding salary satisfaction, bonus payouts, and benefits.
A good starter job in construction, though not the best for long-term career planning. This focus on cultivating internal talent ensures a strong pipeline of capable leaders who understand our construction culture and values, securing our future success and continuity in the market. Everyone knows their role, and responsibilities are clearly communicated. Leadership is approachable and genuinely c...
This supportive learning environment allows newer team members to develop their skills rapidly and confidently. Management is open to ideas, and the culture promotes diversity and inclusion. Strong emphasis on quality craftsmanship and client satisfaction. Employees are encouraged to share ideas and improvements, fostering innovation and a sense of ownership in each construction project. The compa...
It’s clear the company takes pride in every job. Pay is standard, and benefits are average. Advancement depends largely on who you know. Knowing the company's plans makes us feel more connected and invested. Communication is formal, and social interaction among employees is limited.

How Cal Trans's Salaries Compare to Similar Companies?

The data below provides a snapshot of what comparable firms are paying, offering crucial context for evaluating Cal Trans’s pay competitiveness. Click on a company for a deeper dive.

Is Cal Trans’s Pay Competitive? Salary Benchmarking Analysis

How does Cal Trans’s compensation stack up against the market? This analysis visualizes their average salary compared to its industry benchmark and key peer companies.
Peer Company & Industry Benchmarking
120k
100k
80k
60k
40k
20k
0
Average Salary ($/year)
Cal Trans
Construction
ILLINOIS HWY. DEPARTMENT
M.A. BAHETH CONSTRUCTION COMPANY, INC.
Industry Comparison
Our data shows that, on average, compensation at Cal Trans is below the average for the U.S. Construction industry by approximately 37%. This positioning suggests their pay is below the market average within their sector.
Peer Company Comparison
To provide a broader market perspective, we compared Cal Trans average annual salary with several similar companies. Cal Trans average salary of $75,403 is higher than ILLINOIS HWY. DEPARTMENT, which has an average salary of $66,707. It is higher than M.A. BAHETH CONSTRUCTION COMPANY, INC., with their average salary at $65,634. This places Cal Trans in a competitive position among its peers.
See Your True Competitors
The companies behind the question marks could be hiring your best people. Don't operate with incomplete data. Unlock your full competitive view with Salary.com for Business to precisely benchmark salaries, benefits, and more against your true competitors.

What Is the Cost of Living Near Los Angeles?

Understanding the cost of living near Los Angeles is key to truly evaluating a salary offer or your current compensation at Cal Trans.
Los Angeles' Cost of Living Index is approximately 173.3 (73.3% more expensive than US average; 23.9% more than CA average). Driven by extremely expensive housing, high transportation costs, and above-average goods/services. When planning your budget based on a salary from Cal Trans, consider these typical monthly expenses:
Expense Category Estimated Monthly Cost Key Considerations / Notes
Housing (1-BR Apt Rent) $2,500 - $3,800+ A significant portion of Cal Trans salary. Location choices impact this heavily.
Utilities (Basic) $150 - $250 Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water etc.
Public Transportation $100 (Metro TAP card varies) Essential for most commuters; car ownership is costly.
Groceries (Single Person) $450 - $700 Can be higher with more dining out or specialty stores.
Personal & Leisure $500 - $1,000+ Dining out, entertainment, shopping. Highly variable.
Healthcare (Individual) $350 - $700+ Varies significantly by plan & employer contribution.
Subtotal (Excluding Taxes) $4,050 - $6,450+ This subtotal does not include income taxes (federal, state, local), which can significantly impact your take-home pay.

Most Common Questions About Cal Trans

FAQ 1: How much does a Cal Trans employee make?
Cal Trans pays its employees an average of $36 per hour. The average salary at Cal Trans range from $32 to $41 per hour. It's important to remember that these are overall averages, actual salaries vary significantly based on specific job titles, years of experience, skills, and location.
FAQ 2: Which similar company tend to pay more or less than Cal Trans?
The salary at Cal Trans is higher than the similar company. The average annual salary at Cal Trans is $75,403, or an hourly wage of $36, in comparison to ILLINOIS HWY. DEPARTMENT which pays $66,707 per year or $32 per hour.
FAQ 3: Do employees with advanced degrees (Master's, PhD) earn more at Cal Trans?
In many roles at Cal Trans, particularly those requiring specialized knowledge or research capabilities (e.g., certain engineering, scientific, or financial roles), an advanced degree like a Master's or PhD can lead to a higher starting salary and faster career progression, thus higher earnings. However, for some roles, direct experience and skills might be valued as much or more than an advanced degree. The impact varies by field and specific job requirements.
FAQ 4: How does the cost of living near Los Angeles affect the perceived value of a Cal Trans salary?
Los Angeles' Cost of Living Index is approximately 173.3 (73.3% more expensive than US average; 23.9% more than CA average). This significantly impacts the purchasing power of a salary from Cal Trans based there. Our "Cost of Living Insights for Los Angeles" module details this impact, helping you assess the 'real feel' value of your compensation.
FAQ 5: What kind of benefits does Cal Trans typically offer employees?
Cal Trans generally offers a range of employee benefits designed to support their workforce's health, financial well-being, and work-life balance. Comprehensive health insurance (medical, dental, vision), a 401(k) retirement savings plan (often with a company match), paid time off (PTO), and potentially disability and life insurance are included. For a more detailed list of benefits, please see our "Employee Benefits at Cal Trans" section on this page.