Growing Your California Career
Finding a job with California state government is just the first step. Understanding long-term opportunities, salary progression and benefits over time will help you to confidently launch and grow your civil service career.
Below, you’ll find three sample career ladders. Think of each example as a roadmap spanning 10 years of professional growth.
Note: When planning for promotions in California state government, keep in mind that (in most cases) you will need to take the next civil service examination to advance to the next level. To learn more about civil service exams, check out the California exams and assessments page.
Take a look and reflect on what your own ladder might look like. Next, plan on how to get there.
Sample Career Pathways
Environmental Science
Environmental Scientist (0762, Range A/B), Years 0-3
– Conduct lab analysis and site inspections
– Gather data and prepare compliance documents
– Develop regulatory and technical knowledge
Salary:$4,418-$7,350 (monthly)
Growth Pathways:Movement across environmental agencies through similar class specifications
Retirement : California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS)Environmental Scientist (0762, Range C), Years 4-6
– Manage small projects
– Draft technical reports and coordinate with state and local stakeholders
– Begin building specializations (water quality, toxic substances, climate policy, etc.)
Salary:$6,796-$9,321 (monthly)
Growth Pathways:Move laterally to other departments to gain alternate specialized experience, advance in-series
Retirement:Become vested in the pension system with 5 years of CalPERS service credit
Senior Environmental Scientist (Specialist, 0765), Years 6-8
– Serve as subject matter expert
– Lead larger programs and functions
– Conduct advanced scientific investigations
– Produce planning documents and legislative proposals.
Salary:$7,556-$10,221
Growth Pathways:Move into policy, permitting or research-focused roles
Retirement:Continue CalPERS service credit growth, increasing future pension value
Senior Environmental Scientist (Supervisor), Years 9-10+
– Oversee large programs
– Direct teams and manage personnel
– Represent the agency and programs to external stakeholders
– Serving in a leadership capacity.
Salary:$10,538-$13,100
Growth Pathways:Environmental Program Manager II, Career Executive Assignments
Retirement:Enter the first vesting threshold for retiree health benefits, of 50% the state contribution amount at 10 years.
Learn more herePublic Administration
– Collect data and conduct research
– Draft memos and support program operations
– Develop knowledge of agency processes and policies
– Contribute to program deliverables
Salary:$3,861-$6,464 (monthly)
Growth Pathways:Lateral movement across departments, in-series advancement to Analyst II
Retirement:Begin earning California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS) service credit
Analyst II (5393), Years 3-5
– Draft reports and evaluate programs
– Analyze operational data
– Begin increasing independence and project ownership
– Make recommendations to internal stakeholders
Salary:$6,031-$7,775 (monthly)
Growth Pathways:Transfer into a new agency or unit to broaden policy knowledge, advance in-series to gain additional responsibility and expertise
Retirement:Become vested in the pension system with 5 years of CalPERS service credit
Analyst III (5402), Years 6-8
– Manage projects and collaborate on planning, evaluation and regulatory work
– Consult and advise management
– Influence and deliver agency-wide-level assignments.
Salary:$6,623-$8,290 (monthly)
Growth Pathways:Advance in-series, pivot to alternate functional areas
Retirement:Continue CalPERS service credit growth, increasing future pension value
Analyst IV (5403), Years 9-10+
– Lead high-level projects
– Manage teams and improve agency programs and processes
– Serve as a subject matter expert at the agency level
– Contribute to mission-focused innovation
Salary:$7,276-$9,107
Growth Pathways:Enter departmental leadership roles or career executive assignments
Retirement:Enter the first vesting threshold for retiree health benefits, of 50% the state contribution amount at 10 years.
Learn more hereData & Technology
– Format and validate data
– Perform basic statistical analysis
– Build basic dashboards
– Contribute to program data evaluation
Salary:$4,339-$6,922
Growth Pathway:Lateral move to other departments, advancement in-series, pivot into more tech-focused roles
Retirement:Begin earning California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS) service credit
Research Data Analyst II (5731), Years 3-5
– Conduct more advanced statistical analysis using more complex dashboards
– Implement projects and models
– Lead projects and operate more independently
Salary:$6,647-$8,573
Growth Pathways:Advance in-series, pivot into technical support roles
Retirement:Become vested in the pension system with 5 years of CalPERS service credit
IT Specialist I (1402), Years 6-8
– Deploy new data systems and cloud-based tools
– Train and consult with users
– Plan, develop and implement technical solutions across program areas
Salary:$6,513-$10,852
Growth Pathways:Advance in-series, expand knowledge in lateral roles
Retirement:Continue CalPERS service credit growth, increasing future pension value
IT Specialist II (1414), Years 9-10+
– Ensure security of data systems
– Evaluate risk and support system architecture
– Innovate more complex solutions
– Advise leadership and assist development of agency technology policies
Salary:$8,625-$11,905
Growth Pathways:Advance into IT Manager roles, build additional expertise across agencies
Retirement:Enter the first vesting threshold for retiree health benefits, of 50% the state contribution amount at 10 years.
Learn more here