Social Work Jobs in California

Social Work jobs in California are in high demand, with one of the most active hiring markets in the country concentrated in healthcare systems, child welfare agencies, school districts, and community mental health organizations at every level from entry-level case aides through licensed clinical supervisors. Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Diego generate the greatest volume of openings, where large employers such as Kaiser Permanente, Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services, and Dignity Health maintain consistent hiring pipelines. The most sought-after specialties in California are clinical social work, child protective services, and behavioral health case management. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.

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Overview

Open roles43
Top employerCalifornia State University
Top citySan Francisco, CA
Cities hiring31
Work type60% On-site
Top industryEducation

Showing 5 of 43+ Social Work jobs

California State University
Grant Support Fiscal Business Manager/ Social Work (UEC)
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California State University
Added 2d ago
Grant Support Fiscal Business Manager/ Social Work (UEC)
California State University
San Bernardino, California
Account Management
Customer Service
Customer Service & Support
Sales
Associate's degree in accounting
5,001-10,000

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California State University
Assistant Professor Position School of Social Work
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California State University
Added 3d ago
Assistant Professor Position School of Social Work
California State University
Chico, California
Community & Nonprofit Services
Mental & Behavioral Health
Social Work & Counseling
Master's degree in social work
5,001-10,000

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Caloptima
Supervisor Social Work (PACE)
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Caloptima
Added 3d ago
Supervisor Social Work (PACE)
Caloptima
Orange, California
Customer Service
Customer Success
Customer Support
Master's degree in social work
501-1,000

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YMCA of San Diego County
Social Work Case Manager
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YMCA of San Diego County
Added 4d ago
Social Work Case Manager
YMCA of San Diego County
Escondido, California
Business Development
Customer Success
Program Management
Project Management
$26.04 - $31.24/hr
Bachelor's degree in psychology

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Catholic Charities
Social Work Supervisor (Per Diem)
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Catholic Charities
Added 6d ago
Social Work Supervisor (Per Diem)
Catholic Charities
San Jose, California
Healthcare Administration
Patient Services & Wellbeing
Physical Therapy
Hybrid
11-50

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See All 43 Social Work Jobs in California

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Social Work Jobs by City in California

Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.

San Francisco
4 jobs
Chico
3 jobs
Los Angeles
3 jobs
San Jose
2 jobs
Palo Alto
2 jobs
Sacramento
2 jobs
San Marcos
2 jobs
Brea
1 job
Carson
1 job

Social Work Job Market in California

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

Who's Hiring

California State University
California State University6 open roles
Home & Health Care Management
Home & Health Care Management3 open roles
University of California - San Francisco
University of California - San Francisco3 open roles

Top Industries Hiring

  • Education

What California Employers Look For

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

  • Active California LCSW, LMSW, or ASW registration issued by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences
  • Master of Social Work degree from a CSWE-accredited program required for licensed clinical positions
  • Experience conducting psychosocial assessments, treatment planning, and case management with diverse populations
  • Knowledge of California Welfare and Institutions Code and mandated reporter obligations
  • Proficiency with electronic health records systems used in California healthcare and county agency settings
  • Bilingual Spanish-English communication skills strongly preferred across Southern California and Central Valley roles

Social Work Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions

How do you become a social work in California?

To work as a social worker in California, you need a degree from a CSWE-accredited program and registration or licensure through the California Board of Behavioral Sciences. Entry-level roles use the Associate Social Worker registration, while clinical positions require passing the California Law and Ethics Exam and the ASWB Clinical Exam to earn LCSW licensure. A Bachelor of Social Work qualifies you for some non-clinical county and nonprofit roles, but an MSW is required for most licensed positions.

How much do social works make in California?

Social works in California earn a median of about $89,660 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $54,220 for the lowest 10% to over $134,880 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.

Which companies hire social works in California?

Employers hiring social works in California right now include California State University, Home & Health Care Management, and University of California - San Francisco, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. California's mix of large county human services departments, integrated health systems, and community-based nonprofits creates consistent openings well beyond the largest metro areas.

Which California cities have the most social work jobs?

San Francisco, Chico, and Los Angeles are the California cities with the most social work openings right now. Los Angeles dominates due to the sheer scale of its county child welfare and behavioral health infrastructure, while San Francisco and San Diego draw demand from major health systems, veteran services, and large community mental health networks operating in those metros.

Are there remote social work jobs in California?

Yes, but they're less common than in desk-based fields because many social work roles require in-person client contact, home visits, or court appearances. About 40% of social work openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of September 2026, reflecting a meaningful but limited share of the market. The roles most likely to offer remote or hybrid schedules are care coordination, utilization review, and telehealth clinical counseling positions within larger health systems.

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

The most realistic entry path is applying for social work associate or social services aide roles at California county departments of social services, which regularly hire candidates still completing their MSW fieldwork hours. Los Angeles County DCFS, the County of San Diego Health and Human Services Agency, and large nonprofits such as Volunteers of America run structured internship-to-hire pipelines. Completing your California Board of Behavioral Sciences Associate Social Worker registration early and logging supervised hours in a county or community mental health setting gives candidates a clear advantage over those who wait until after graduation.

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

You can find and apply to social work jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from employers actively hiring in the state. Search the listings to find roles that match your license level, specialty, and preferred location, then apply directly to the ones that fit.

See All 43 Social Work Jobs in California

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

Find Social Work Jobs