Clinical Social Worker Jobs in California

Clinical Social Worker jobs in California are among the most active in the country, concentrated in healthcare systems, county behavioral health departments, school districts, and community mental health centers, with openings at every level from associate clinical social worker through licensed clinical social worker supervisor. The largest hiring volumes are in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Diego, where employers such as Kaiser Permanente, Dignity Health, and the County of Los Angeles Department of Mental Health maintain ongoing clinical social worker needs. The most in-demand specialties are child and family services, substance use disorder treatment, and integrated behavioral health. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.

Find Clinical Social Worker Jobs

Overview

Open roles54+
Top cityPalo Alto, CA
Cities hiring27
Work type87% On-site
Top industryHealthcare

Showing 5 of 54+ Clinical Social Worker jobs

San Joaquin County
Clinical Social Worker III
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San Joaquin County
New 3h ago
Clinical Social Worker III
San Joaquin County
French Camp, California
Allied Health
Healthcare Administration
Mental & Behavioral Health
$8,056 - $9,792/mo
On-Site
Master's
5,001-10,000

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LifeStance Health
Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)
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LifeStance Health
Added 2d ago
Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)
LifeStance Health
Chula Vista, California
Nursing
Allied Health
Mental & Behavioral Health
Social Work & Counseling
$107k - $122k/yr
Hybrid
None
5,001-10,000

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Stanford Medicine Children's Health
Licensed Clinical Social Worker or Social Work Clinician
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Stanford Medicine Children's Health
Added 2d ago
Licensed Clinical Social Worker or Social Work Clinician
Stanford Medicine Children's Health
Palo Alto, California
Nursing
Allied Health
Healthcare Administration
Social Work & Counseling
$52 - $61/hr
On-Site
Master's
5,001-10,000

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Stanford Medicine Children's Health
Licensed Clinical Social Worker or Social Work Clinician
We won't show you this job again
Stanford Medicine Children's Health
Added 2d ago
Licensed Clinical Social Worker or Social Work Clinician
Stanford Medicine Children's Health
Palo Alto, California
Nursing
Allied Health
Healthcare Administration
Mental & Behavioral Health
Social Work & Counseling
Patient Services & Wellbeing
$52 - $61/hr
On-Site
Master's
5,001-10,000

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AIDS Healthcare Foundation
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
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AIDS Healthcare Foundation
Added 3d ago
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
AIDS Healthcare Foundation
Los Angeles, California
Nursing
Allied Health
Healthcare Administration
Mental & Behavioral Health
Social Work & Counseling
Patient Services & Wellbeing
$90k - $100k/yr
On-Site
Master's
1,001-5,000

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See All 54 Clinical Social Worker Jobs in California

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

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Clinical Social Worker Jobs by City in California

Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.

Palo Alto
10 jobs
San Francisco
10 jobs
Los Angeles
7 jobs
Oakland
3 jobs
North Highlands
2 jobs
Berkeley
1 jobs
Chula Vista
1 jobs
Del Mar
1 jobs
Duarte
1 jobs

Clinical Social Worker Job Market in California

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

Who's Hiring

  • Stanford Medicine Children's Health
    Stanford Medicine Children's Health11
  • University of California - San Francisco
    University of California - San Francisco9
  • LifeStance Health
    LifeStance Health6
  • JWCH Institute
    JWCH Institute3
  • Livingston Community Health
    Livingston Community Health3

Top Industries Hiring

  • Healthcare & Medical Services38
  • Education11
  • Non-Profit & Social Services4
  • Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals1
  • Science & Research1

What California Employers Look For

The qualifications that appear most often in clinical social worker jobs across California.

  • Active California LCSW license issued by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences
  • Master of Social Work degree from a CSWE-accredited program
  • Registered associate clinical social worker number while working toward licensure
  • Experience delivering individual, group, or family therapy in a clinical setting
  • Proficiency with electronic health records and clinical documentation standards
  • Knowledge of Medi-Cal billing requirements and California Welfare and Institutions Code

Clinical Social Worker Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions

How do you become a clinical social worker in California?

You earn a Master of Social Work from a CSWE-accredited program, then register as an Associate Clinical Social Worker with the California Board of Behavioral Sciences before accumulating supervised hours toward the Licensed Clinical Social Worker credential. The BBS requires passing the ASWB Clinical exam and completing California-specific law and ethics coursework. Most candidates complete supervised hours at community mental health agencies, county departments, or hospital systems before sitting for licensure.

Which companies hire clinical social workers in California?

Employers hiring clinical social workers in California right now include Stanford Medicine Children's Health, University of California - San Francisco, and LifeStance Health, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of June 2026. California's large county behavioral health systems and integrated health networks generate especially consistent openings across inpatient, outpatient, and community-based settings.

Which California cities have the most clinical social worker jobs?

Palo Alto, San Francisco, and Los Angeles have the most clinical social worker openings in California. Los Angeles dominates due to its concentration of county mental health programs, hospital systems, and nonprofit agencies, while San Francisco and San Diego support strong demand through major academic medical centers, Veterans Affairs facilities, and robust community health infrastructure.

Are there remote clinical social worker jobs in California?

Yes, but they're less common than in purely desk-based fields because clinical social work often involves in-person assessment, crisis intervention, and on-site care coordination. About 13% of clinical social worker openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of June 2026, and telehealth therapy roles account for most of those listings.

How can I get hired as a clinical social worker in California with little or no experience?

The most realistic entry path is registering as an Associate Clinical Social Worker with the California Board of Behavioral Sciences and applying to supervised positions at county departments such as the Los Angeles Department of Children and Family Services or Alameda County Behavioral Health. Large California health systems like Kaiser Permanente and Sutter Health run new-graduate social work residency and fellowship programs. Case manager, mental health rehabilitation specialist, and social services assistant roles at these organizations are common lateral entry points that also count toward LCSW supervised hours.

Where can I find and apply to clinical social worker jobs in California?

You can find and apply to clinical social worker jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings across healthcare systems, county agencies, school districts, and community mental health providers. Find roles that fit your license status, specialty, and location, then apply directly.

See All 54 Clinical Social Worker Jobs in California

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

Find Clinical Social Worker Jobs