Admissions Counselor Jobs in California
Admissions Counselor jobs in California are among the most active in the country, concentrated across higher education, for-profit college networks, and healthcare training institutes, with openings at every level from entry-level recruiter to senior director of enrollment. The largest hiring hubs are Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Diego, where institutions like the University of California system, California State University system, and DeVry University maintain consistent counselor headcount. The most in-demand specialties are undergraduate recruitment, financial aid advising, and international student enrollment. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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College Admissions Counselor (Former Admissions Officer) | Full-Time | San Diego, CA
You’ve spent years deciding who gets in. Now help students become the ones who do.
Hammer Prep is a boutique test prep, tutoring, and college counseling company with a strong base of great families and more demand than we can serve. We’re hiring a full-time college counselor to be number 2 on our counseling team, working alongside our head counselor. You’ll have your own caseload and your own approach. We handle sales and billing. You counsel.
We only add to the team when it’s a great fit, so we’re selective.
What you’ll do
- Guide students and families through the full admissions process, from junior year through decision day
- Edit and give feedback on application essays. We do this in-house, and it’s a core part of the job.
- Meet with students after school and into the evening
- Take part in occasional public speaking events, like workshops and family info sessions
- Optional: pick up paid tutoring hours if you enjoy it
What we’re looking for
- 2+ years working inside a college admissions office, with real experience making admissions decisions and selecting students
- Excellent writing and editing skills, especially with personal essays
- Warmth and credibility with high school students and their parents
- San Diego-based preferred, but we’ll consider anyone whose experience and fit are strong
The schedule
This isn’t a 9 to 5. During admissions season you’ll put in long hours, work at least one weekend day every week, and often both Saturday and Sunday. Outside of admissions season, the pace is more normal.
Compensation
- Base salary: $50,000 to $65,000, depending on experience
- Performance bonus based on direct referrals (families who ask to work with you) and the number of students you guide through the admissions process. As the practice grows, so does your bonus.
- Health insurance
- 401(k)
Pay: $50,000.00 - $65,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Health insurance
Application Question(s):
- Tell us about your previous admissions experience.
Education:
- Bachelor's (Required)
Experience:
- college admissions: 2 years (Preferred)
Work Location: Hybrid remote in San Diego, CA 92121
College Admissions Counselor (Former Admissions Officer) | Full-Time | San Diego, CA
You’ve spent years deciding who gets in. Now help students become the ones who do.
Hammer Prep is a boutique test prep, tutoring, and college counseling company with a strong base of great families and more demand than we can serve. We’re hiring a full-time college counselor to be number 2 on our counseling team, working alongside our head counselor. You’ll have your own caseload and your own approach. We handle sales and billing. You counsel.
We only add to the team when it’s a great fit, so we’re selective.
What you’ll do
- Guide students and families through the full admissions process, from junior year through decision day
- Edit and give feedback on application essays. We do this in-house, and it’s a core part of the job.
- Meet with students after school and into the evening
- Take part in occasional public speaking events, like workshops and family info sessions
- Optional: pick up paid tutoring hours if you enjoy it
What we’re looking for
- 2+ years working inside a college admissions office, with real experience making admissions decisions and selecting students
- Excellent writing and editing skills, especially with personal essays
- Warmth and credibility with high school students and their parents
- San Diego-based preferred, but we’ll consider anyone whose experience and fit are strong
The schedule
This isn’t a 9 to 5. During admissions season you’ll put in long hours, work at least one weekend day every week, and often both Saturday and Sunday. Outside of admissions season, the pace is more normal.
Compensation
- Base salary: $50,000 to $65,000, depending on experience
- Performance bonus based on direct referrals (families who ask to work with you) and the number of students you guide through the admissions process. As the practice grows, so does your bonus.
- Health insurance
- 401(k)
Pay: $50,000.00 - $65,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Health insurance
Application Question(s):
- Tell us about your previous admissions experience.
Education:
- Bachelor's (Required)
Experience:
- college admissions: 2 years (Preferred)
Work Location: Hybrid remote in San Diego, CA 92121
See All 14 Admissions Counselor Jobs in California
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Find Admissions Counselor JobsAdmissions Counselor Jobs by City in California
Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Admissions Counselor Job Market in California
A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
What California Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in admissions counselor jobs across California.
- Bachelor's degree in education, counseling, communications, or a related field required
- One to three years of admissions, recruitment, or student advising experience preferred
- Strong knowledge of California community college and university transfer pathways
- Proficiency with CRM platforms such as Slate, Salesforce, or Ellucian Banner
- Ability to travel to high schools and college fairs across California
- Bilingual Spanish-English communication skills valued in many California markets
Admissions Counselor Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a admissions counselor in California?
Admissions counselors in California do not require a state-issued license, but a bachelor's degree is the standard entry requirement at nearly all colleges and universities. Most California institutions expect familiarity with the UC and CSU application systems and financial aid processes. Earning a master's degree in higher education administration or student affairs strengthens candidacy for competitive roles at research universities and selective private colleges in the state.
Which companies hire admissions counselors in California?
Employers hiring admissions counselors in California right now include Keck Medicine of USC, ALLIANT, and Empowerly, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. California's large public university systems, private liberal arts colleges, and vocational training networks generate consistent year-round openings, with hiring volume typically peaking in the fall recruitment cycle.
Which California cities have the most admissions counselor jobs?
Los Angeles, San Diego, and Indio have the most admissions counselor openings in California. Los Angeles leads because of its dense concentration of four-year universities, community colleges, and for-profit institutions, while San Francisco draws demand from private colleges and graduate programs in the Bay Area, and San Diego's large military-affiliated and research university presence sustains steady counselor hiring.
Are there remote admissions counselor jobs in California?
Yes, but they are less common than in purely desk-based fields, since admissions counseling regularly involves campus tours, in-person interviews, and local school outreach. About 67% of admissions counselor openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of November 2026. Virtual roles, when available, tend to cover online enrollment advising and digital recruitment outreach rather than on-campus recruitment functions.
How can I get hired as a admissions counselor in California with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is applying to admissions assistant or enrollment coordinator roles at California community colleges or CSU campuses, which commonly hire candidates with a bachelor's degree and no prior admissions experience. Lateral moves from financial aid advising, academic tutoring, or student services work are widely accepted. Gaining experience with Slate or Banner CRM systems and volunteering as a campus tour guide or orientation leader strengthens applications considerably at California institutions.
Where can I find and apply to admissions counselor jobs in California?
You can find and apply to admissions counselor jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings across the state. Search the available roles, find the ones that fit your background and location, and apply directly to each employer.
See All 14 Admissions Counselor Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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