Professor Jobs in California

Professor jobs in California are among the most competitive and active in the country, concentrated in public higher education, private research universities, and community college systems, with openings at every level from visiting instructor through tenured full professor. The largest hiring markets are Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Diego, home to anchor institutions like the University of California system, California State University system, and Stanford University, which hire professors across disciplines year-round. The most in-demand specialties right now are computer science, nursing and health sciences, and business, reflecting California's technology economy and persistent healthcare workforce pipeline. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.

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Overview

Open roles363+
Top cityLos Angeles, CA
Cities hiring36
Work type99% On-site
Top industryEducation

Showing 5 of 363+ Professor jobs

California State University, Los Angeles
Lecturer
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California State University, Los Angeles
Added 2mo ago
Lecturer
California State University, Los Angeles
Los Angeles, California
Teaching & Instruction
Higher Education
$5,507 - $15k/mo
On-Site
Master's
1,001-5,000

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California State University San Marcos
Lecturer
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California State University San Marcos
Added 3mo ago
Lecturer
California State University San Marcos
San Marcos, California
Teaching & Instruction
Higher Education
Remote (US)
Master's

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California State University, Chico
Lecturer
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California State University, Chico
Added 3mo ago
Lecturer
California State University, Chico
Chico, California
Teaching & Instruction
On-Site
Master's

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University of California Berkeley
Lecturer
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University of California Berkeley
Added 9mo ago
Lecturer
University of California Berkeley
Berkeley, California
Teaching & Instruction
Higher Education
$71k - $117k/yr
On-Site
Doctorate
10,001+

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University of California Berkeley
Lecturer
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University of California Berkeley
Added 10mo ago
Lecturer
University of California Berkeley
Berkeley, California
Teaching & Instruction
Higher Education
$71k - $200k/yr
On-Site
Bachelor's
10,001+

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Professor Jobs by City in California

Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.

Los Angeles
55 jobs
Turlock
55 jobs
San Francisco
45 jobs
Merced
32 jobs
Stockton
32 jobs
Sacramento
17 jobs
Long Beach
16 jobs
La Verne
14 jobs
Pomona
14 jobs

Professor Job Market in California

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

Who's Hiring

  • California State University, Stanislaus
    California State University, Stanislaus53
  • University of the Pacific
    University of the Pacific51
  • California State University, Los Angeles
    California State University, Los Angeles44
  • University of California, San Francisco
    University of California, San Francisco39
  • University of California Merced
    University of California Merced32

Top Industries Hiring

  • Education327
  • Healthcare & Medical Services55
  • Electronics & Hardware11
  • Chemicals & Materials3
  • Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals2

What California Employers Look For

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

  • Terminal degree (Ph.D., M.F.A., or equivalent) required in the relevant discipline
  • Demonstrated record of scholarly research, publication, or creative achievement in the field
  • Prior college or university teaching experience, including as instructor of record
  • Commitment to teaching diverse student populations consistent with California community standards
  • Ability to contribute to curriculum development, program review, and departmental service
  • Familiarity with California community college or CSU/UC accreditation and curriculum approval processes

Professor Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions

How do you become a professor in California?

Most professor positions in California require a terminal degree in your field, typically a Ph.D. or M.F.A., plus prior teaching or research experience. California community colleges, which make up the largest segment of public higher education hiring in the state, do not require a state teaching license for faculty, but they do evaluate candidates through formal hiring committees and often require a master's degree plus two years of professional experience for career and technical education roles.

Which companies hire professors in California?

Employers hiring professors in California right now include California State University, Stanislaus, University of the Pacific, and California State University, Los Angeles, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of June 2026. California's combination of the UC system, CSU campuses, and over a hundred independent community college districts makes it one of the broadest professor hiring markets in any state.

Which California cities have the most professor jobs?

Los Angeles, Turlock, and San Francisco have the most professor openings in California right now. Los Angeles leads because of the density of UC, CSU, and private campuses in the region, while San Francisco and San Diego benefit from major research universities and a strong demand for health sciences and technology faculty tied to each city's dominant industries.

Are there remote professor jobs in California?

Yes, but they're less common than in fully desk-based fields, since most professor roles involve scheduled in-person instruction, lab supervision, or campus committee work. About 1% of professor openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of June 2026, and the positions most likely to offer that flexibility are in online program divisions, continuing education, and certain business or computer science courses taught asynchronously.

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

The most realistic entry path is an adjunct or part-time lecturer position at a California community college or CSU campus, which typically requires only a master's degree and allows you to build a teaching record. Many UC campuses also hire postdoctoral scholars and visiting assistant professors who are completing their dissertations. Gaining experience as a teaching assistant during graduate school, assembling a strong teaching portfolio, and applying for temporary or one-year positions at institutions across the CSU system gives candidates the most direct route to a full-time role.

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

You can find and apply to professor jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings at California institutions. Search the available roles, find the ones that fit your discipline and experience level, and apply directly through each listing.

See All 363+ Professor Jobs in California

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

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