Adjunct Professor Jobs in California

Adjunct Professor jobs in California are concentrated in community colleges, California State University campuses, and University of California system schools, with demand for instructors across liberal arts, STEM, healthcare education, and business disciplines at every experience level. The most active hiring metros are Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Diego, where institutions such as the Los Angeles Community College District, California State University system, and UC San Diego maintain large and recurring adjunct pools. In-demand specialties include nursing and allied health instruction, computer science, and early childhood education. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.

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Overview

Open roles66
Top employerUC San Diego
Top citySan Diego, CA
Cities hiring8
Work type67% Hybrid
Top credentialDoctoral degree

Showing 5 of 66+ Adjunct Professor jobs

UC San Diego
Assistant, Associate or Full Professor (HS Clin, Clin X, In-Residence, Adjunct) Pediatric Orthopaedic Surgery Faculty
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UC San Diego
Added 1d ago
Assistant, Associate or Full Professor (HS Clin, Clin X, In-Residence, Adjunct) Pediatric Orthopaedic Surgery Faculty
UC San Diego
San Diego, California
Higher Education
Research & Academia
Teaching & Instruction
$172k - $500k/yr
10,000+

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UC San Diego
Assistant, Associate, or Full Professor (In-Residence, Adjunct) Otolaryngology Research
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UC San Diego
Added 3d ago
Assistant, Associate, or Full Professor (In-Residence, Adjunct) Otolaryngology Research
UC San Diego
San Diego, California
Biotech & Life Sciences
Clinical Support
Laboratory Science
$107k - $650k/yr
Doctoral degree in neuroscience
10,000+

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California Science and Technology University
Adjunct Professor for Business Analytics
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California Science and Technology University
Added 6d ago
Adjunct Professor for Business Analytics
California Science and Technology University
Milpitas, California
Business Analysis
Business Analyst
Data Analytics
Master of Science

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University of California Los Angeles
Adjunct Professor Position in General Internal Medicine & Health Services Research 2026-2027
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University of California Los Angeles
Added 1w ago
Adjunct Professor Position in General Internal Medicine & Health Services Research 2026-2027
University of California Los Angeles
Los Angeles, California
Higher Education
Research & Academia
Teaching & Instruction
$122k - $220k/yr
1,001-5,000

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West Coast University
Adjunct Assistant Professor, PA
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West Coast University
Added 1w ago
Adjunct Assistant Professor, PA
West Coast University
Los Angeles, California
Higher Education
K-12 Teaching
Teaching & Instruction
$46.55 - $67.51/hr
Remote (US)
Master's degree
1,001-5,000

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Adjunct Professor Jobs by City in California

Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.

Los Angeles
7 jobs
Davis
4 jobs
Sacramento
2 jobs
Folsom
1 job
La Jolla
1 job
Milpitas
1 job
Stockton
1 job

Adjunct Professor Job Market in California

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

Who's Hiring

  • UC San Diego
    UC San Diego50
  • University of Southern California
    University of Southern California5
  • UC Davis
    UC Davis4
  • Los Rios Community College District
    Los Rios Community College District2
  • West Coast University
    West Coast University1

What California Employers Look For

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

  • Master's degree or higher in the subject area being taught
  • Demonstrated college-level teaching experience in the relevant discipline
  • Strong subject-matter expertise supported by professional or research credentials
  • Ability to develop and deliver curriculum aligned with California community college standards
  • Commitment to serving California's diverse undergraduate and continuing-education student populations
  • Familiarity with learning management systems and hybrid or online course delivery tools

Adjunct Professor Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions

How do you become a adjunct professor in California?

Becoming an adjunct professor in California requires at minimum a master's degree in the discipline you want to teach, though doctoral credentials are expected at four-year institutions. California community colleges follow hiring criteria set by the California Community Colleges Chancellor's Office, which typically mandates the master's degree or its equivalent in documented professional experience for vocational and technical fields. Applications go directly to individual district human resources offices, which maintain adjunct pools and call instructors as enrollment demands arise.

Which companies hire adjunct professors in California?

Employers hiring adjunct professors in California right now include UC San Diego, University of Southern California, and UC Davis, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. California's 116-college community college system and the CSU and UC networks collectively represent the largest and most consistent source of adjunct openings in the state.

Which California cities have the most adjunct professor jobs?

San Diego, Los Angeles, and Davis lead California for adjunct professor openings. Los Angeles anchors the list because of the Los Angeles Community College District's ten campuses and the concentration of private universities in the region, while San Francisco and San Diego reflect the Bay Area's large research university presence and San Diego's extensive community college and military-affiliated education infrastructure that generates steady part-time faculty demand.

Are there remote adjunct professor jobs in California?

Yes, and more than many fields. About 100% of adjunct professor openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of September 2026, reflecting the broad adoption of online instruction across community colleges and four-year institutions following the expansion of distance education programs. Fully remote positions are most common in general education subjects such as English composition, introductory psychology, and business writing, while lab-based science and studio art courses continue to require on-site presence.

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

The most realistic entry path is applying to California community college adjunct pools before completing your graduate degree, since many districts accept applicants who are close to finishing a master's program and will place them on a waitlist. Large districts such as the Los Angeles Community College District and Foothill-De Anza Community College District regularly onboard first-time instructors into basic skills and introductory courses. Gaining experience as a teaching assistant, tutoring center staff member, or workforce training facilitator through a California adult school or regional occupational program strengthens an application significantly.

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 community colleges, CSU and UC campuses, and private institutions. Search the listings for roles that match your subject area and experience, then apply directly to the employers posting them.

See All 66 Adjunct Professor Jobs in California

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