Mental Health Worker Jobs in California

Mental Health Worker jobs in California are concentrated in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Diego, where community health centers, county behavioral health departments, and large health systems like Kaiser Permanente, Dignity Health, and Telecare Corporation maintain steady hiring pipelines. Demand runs from entry-level residential counselors to senior case managers and crisis intervention specialists, with the most consistent openings in community mental health, substance use treatment, and crisis stabilization. California is one of the most active markets for this role, driven by ongoing investment in county behavioral health services and Medi-Cal expansion. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.

Find Mental Health Worker Jobs

Overview

Open roles86
Top employerTelecare Corporation
Top citySan Leandro, CA
Cities hiring50
Work type92% On-site
Top industryHealthcare

Showing 5 of 86+ Mental Health Worker jobs

Mental Health Worker - Inpatient NBMU
We won't show you this job again
Added 3d ago
Mental Health Worker - Inpatient NBMU
UC San Diego Health
San Diego, California
Healthcare Administration
Nursing
Patient Services & Wellbeing
$26.66 - $35.18/hr
CPI Certification
10,000+

Have you applied for this role?

Overnight Mental Health Worker
We won't show you this job again
Added 3d ago
Overnight Mental Health Worker
STARS Behavioral Health Group
Sylmar, California
Compliance & Risk
Cybersecurity Operations
Security & Protective Services
$20 - $21/hr
High school diploma or GED
1,001-5,000

Have you applied for this role?

Mental Health Worker
We won't show you this job again
Added 3d ago
Mental Health Worker
STARS Behavioral Health Group
Sylmar, California
Healthcare Administration
Mental & Behavioral Health
Patient Services & Wellbeing
$20 - $21/hr
High school diploma or GED
1,001-5,000

Have you applied for this role?

Mental Health Worker
We won't show you this job again
Added 4d ago
Mental Health Worker
Liberty Healthcare Corporation
Redwood City, California
Healthcare Administration
Mental & Behavioral Health
Patient Services & Wellbeing
Bachelor's degree in social work
1,001-5,000

Have you applied for this role?

Mental Health Worker
We won't show you this job again
Added 4d ago
Mental Health Worker
McAlister Institute
Lemon Grove, California
Healthcare Administration
Mental & Behavioral Health
Patient Services & Wellbeing
$25 - $42/hr
On-Site
Master's degree in social work
201-500

Have you applied for this role?

See All 86 Mental Health Worker Jobs in California

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

Find Mental Health Worker Jobs

Mental Health Worker Jobs by City in California

Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.

San Leandro
8 jobs
Los Angeles
5 jobs
Anaheim
4 jobs
San Diego
4 jobs
Santa Clarita
4 jobs
Van Nuys
3 jobs
Sacramento
3 jobs
Placerville
3 jobs
Ceres
2 jobs

Mental Health Worker Job Market in California

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

Who's Hiring

  • Telecare Corporation20
  • Exodus Recovery6
  • STARS Behavioral Health6
  • Sutter Health5
  • McAlister Institute4

Top Industries Hiring

  • Healthcare & Medical Services

What California Employers Look For

The qualifications that appear most often in mental health worker jobs across California.

  • Active registration as a Mental Health Rehabilitation Specialist or qualifying California credential
  • Bachelor's degree in psychology, social work, counseling, or a related human services field
  • Experience providing direct care in a community mental health or residential treatment setting
  • Knowledge of California welfare and mental health codes and Medi-Cal documentation requirements
  • CPR and first aid certification current and valid at time of hire
  • Ability to pass a California Department of Justice background check and live scan fingerprinting

Mental Health Worker Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions

How do you become a mental health worker in California?

Most California mental health worker positions require at minimum a bachelor's degree in psychology, social work, or a related field, though many county and nonprofit employers will consider an associate degree combined with direct-care experience. California does not issue a single statewide license for this specific title, but many employers require registration as a Mental Health Rehabilitation Specialist under California Department of Health Care Services guidelines, and some roles lead toward licensure as an associate social worker or marriage and family therapist trainee through the California Board of Behavioral Sciences.

Which companies hire mental health workers in California?

California mental health worker roles are posted by Telecare Corporation, Exodus Recovery, and STARS Behavioral Health and others right now, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of October 2026. California's large county behavioral health systems, Medi-Cal managed care plans, and nonprofit community health organizations account for a significant share of openings across the state.

Which California cities have the most mental health worker jobs?

San Leandro, Los Angeles, and Anaheim consistently post the highest volume of mental health worker openings in California. Los Angeles drives the largest share through its county Department of Mental Health and dense network of community health centers, while San Francisco and San Diego reflect strong public health infrastructure, established nonprofit sectors, and proximity to major academic medical centers that anchor hiring in those regions.

Are there remote mental health worker jobs in California?

Yes, but they're rare. Mental health worker roles typically involve in-person care, crisis support, or residential supervision that cannot be performed remotely. About 8% of mental health worker openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of October 2026, and those positions tend to be concentrated in care coordination, case management documentation, and telehealth support roles rather than direct clinical or residential care.

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

The most realistic entry path is applying for a psychiatric technician aide, residential counselor, or peer support specialist position, which California county behavioral health departments and large nonprofit providers such as Telecare Corporation and Volunteers of America use as structured entry roles. Many California counties offer new-hire training cohorts tied to Medi-Cal workforce development funding. Completing a California Board of Behavioral Sciences-registered internship or earning a peer support certification through the California Mental Health Services Authority gives candidates a concrete credential that sets them apart from other applicants without prior clinical experience.

Where can I find and apply to mental health worker jobs in California?

You can find and apply to mental health worker jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings across community health, residential, crisis, and outpatient settings. Search the listings for roles that match your credentials and experience level and apply directly to the ones that fit.

See All 86 Mental Health Worker Jobs in California

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

Find Mental Health Worker Jobs