Adjunct Professor Jobs in California

Adjunct professor jobs in California are among the most active in the country, concentrated across community colleges, California State University campuses, and University of California institutions, with openings at every level from first-time instructors through experienced senior lecturers. The largest hiring hubs are Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Diego, where institutions like the Los Angeles Community College District, California State University system, and the University of California regularly post adjunct openings. Online education, business, and STEM disciplines see the most consistent demand statewide. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.

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Overview

Open roles14+
Top citySan Francisco, CA
Cities hiring4
Work type100% On-site
Top industryEducation

Showing 5 of 14+ Adjunct Professor jobs

Saint Mary's College of California
Adjunct Professor of Anatomy & Physiology
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Saint Mary's College of California
Added 3w ago
Adjunct Professor of Anatomy & Physiology
Saint Mary's College of California
Moraga, California
Teaching & Instruction
Higher Education
On-Site
Doctorate
501-1,000

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University of San Francisco
Adjunct Professor
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University of San Francisco
Added 1mo ago
Adjunct Professor
University of San Francisco
San Francisco, California
Teaching & Instruction
Higher Education
On-Site
Bachelor's
1,001-5,000

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University of the Pacific
Trial Advocacy Adjunct Professor
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University of the Pacific
Added 1mo ago
Trial Advocacy Adjunct Professor
University of the Pacific
Sacramento, California
Teaching & Instruction
Higher Education
On-Site
Doctorate
501-1,000

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University of San Francisco
Adjuncts / Lecturer Faculty
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University of San Francisco
Added 1mo ago
Adjuncts / Lecturer Faculty
University of San Francisco
San Francisco, California
Teaching & Instruction
Higher Education
$2,044/unit - $2,101/unit
On-Site
Master's
1,001-5,000

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University of San Francisco
Adjunct Faculty Member in General Education
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University of San Francisco
Added 1mo ago
Adjunct Faculty Member in General Education
University of San Francisco
San Francisco, California
Teaching & Instruction
Higher Education
On-Site
Doctorate
1,001-5,000

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See All 14 Adjunct Professor Jobs in California

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Adjunct Professor Jobs by City in California

Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.

San Francisco
9 jobs
Los Angeles
3 jobs
Moraga
1 jobs
Sacramento
1 jobs

Adjunct Professor Job Market in California

A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.

Who's Hiring

  • University of California, San Francisco
    University of California, San Francisco6
  • Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science
    Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science3
  • University of San Francisco
    University of San Francisco3
  • Saint Mary's College of California
    Saint Mary's College of California1
  • University of the Pacific
    University of the Pacific1

Top Industries Hiring

  • Education14
  • Healthcare & Medical Services9

What California Employers Look For

The qualifications that appear most often in adjunct professor jobs across California.

  • Master's degree or higher in the teaching discipline or a closely related field
  • Prior college-level teaching experience or documented expertise in the subject area
  • Ability to meet California community college or CSU minimum qualifications for the discipline
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills suited to diverse student populations
  • Familiarity with learning management systems such as Canvas or Blackboard
  • Flexibility to teach evening, weekend, or hybrid course sections as assigned

Adjunct Professor Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions

How do you become a adjunct professor in California?

To become an adjunct professor in California, you need at minimum a master's degree in your teaching discipline or a field directly related to it. California community colleges apply statewide minimum qualifications set by the California Community Colleges Chancellor's Office, which define the exact degree and coursework required per discipline. University of California and CSU campuses set their own department-level standards, typically requiring an advanced degree and demonstrated expertise. No statewide license is required, but meeting published minimum qualifications is mandatory before a college can hire you.

Which companies hire adjunct professors in California?

Employers hiring adjunct professors in California right now include University of California, San Francisco, Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science, and University of San Francisco, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of June 2026. California's large public higher-education systems, including the 116-campus community college system and the 23-campus CSU network, account for a significant share of adjunct hiring statewide.

Which California cities have the most adjunct professor jobs?

San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Moraga have the most adjunct professor openings in California. Los Angeles leads because it is home to the largest community college district in the country along with multiple CSU and UC campuses, while San Francisco and San Diego benefit from dense concentrations of research universities, private colleges, and professional schools that rely heavily on adjunct instructors.

Are there remote adjunct professor jobs in California?

Yes, and more than many academic roles allow. About 0% of adjunct professor openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of June 2026, reflecting the growth of online course delivery across California's community college and CSU systems. Fully online sections are most common in business, writing, and general education courses, while laboratory, clinical, and studio disciplines almost always require in-person instruction.

How can I get hired as a adjunct professor in California with little or no experience?

The most realistic entry path is applying to teach in your area of professional expertise at a California community college, where practical industry experience can substitute for classroom teaching history under Chancellor's Office minimum qualifications. Community college districts like the Los Angeles CCD, San Diego CCD, and Foothill-De Anza College District regularly bring on first-time instructors in career-technical education fields including business, technology, health sciences, and the arts. Completing a community college instructor preparation certificate and assembling a strong course syllabus portfolio gives candidates a measurable edge during hiring committees.

Where can I find and apply to adjunct professor jobs in California?

You can find and apply to adjunct professor jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings across institutions and disciplines. Search the listings for roles that match your subject area and teaching format, then apply directly to the ones that fit.

See All 14 Adjunct Professor Jobs in California

Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.

Find Adjunct Professor Jobs