California Community Colleges Jobs offer unparalleled opportunities in higher education across one of the largest postsecondary systems globally. With 116 colleges serving over 2.1 million students annually, this system is a cornerstone of accessible education in California. Job seekers pursuing professor positions California Community Colleges, lecturer roles California Community Colleges, or research jobs California Community Colleges will find diverse openings in fields like STEM, healthcare, business, and humanities. Academic careers at California Community Colleges emphasize teaching excellence, student success, and community impact.
Salaries at California Community Colleges are competitive, with full-time faculty averaging $110,000-$140,000 based on recent data from Transparent California and CCC salary schedules. Trends show growing demand for adjunct professor jobs and full-time roles amid state budget increases for 2025. Higher education jobs California Community Colleges also include administration and support positions. Students and professionals can rate professors California Community Colleges via Rate My Professor to gain insights into faculty quality. Whether exploring faculty jobs California Community Colleges or salaries California Community Colleges academia, AcademicJobs.com provides essential resources like Professor Salaries and Higher Ed Career Advice.
Located in Sacramento, the Chancellor's Office oversees system-wide initiatives. Front-load your career with California Community Colleges academic opportunities—Rate Professors at California Community Colleges today and discover why this system leads in transfer rates to UC and CSU. Find your path amid best faculty jobs California Community Colleges.
About California Community Colleges
California Community Colleges, governed by the Chancellor's Office in Sacramento, California, represents the largest higher education system in the world. Established in 1910 with the founding of institutions like Los Angeles Junior College, it has grown to encompass 116 colleges across the state, serving more than 2.1 million students each year—about one-third of all college students in the U.S. The system's mission is to provide affordable, accessible education and training that promotes student success and economic mobility.
Key achievements include high transfer rates to four-year universities, robust workforce development programs, and initiatives like the Vision 2030 strategic plan focusing on equity, completion, and innovation. Campuses span urban centers like Los Angeles and San Francisco to rural areas, offering associate degrees, certificates, and transfer pathways. The headquarters at 1102 Q Street, Sacramento, coordinates policies, funding, and system-wide jobs.
With a focus on open access, California Community Colleges supports diverse populations through programs in nursing, computer science, automotive technology, and liberal arts. Recent trends highlight expansions in online learning and dual enrollment. For academics, it offers stable careers with strong unions like the California Federation of Teachers. Explore more at the California Community Colleges Website. Connect with Academic Jobs in United States and Academic Jobs in California via AcademicJobs.com.
This system's scale enables unique collaborations, research in applied fields, and professional growth. Faculty enjoy CalSTRS pensions, health benefits, and sabbaticals. As higher education jobs California Community Colleges evolve, AcademicJobs.com tracks openings across colleges like Foothill, Diablo Valley, and Sacramento City College.
Faculty Job Opportunities at California Community Colleges
Faculty job opportunities at California Community Colleges are plentiful, with high demand for roles in high-enrollment programs. Recent trends from the Chancellor's Office and job boards indicate growth in STEM, healthcare, and career technical education (CTE) positions for 2025. Assistant Professor openings in nursing and computer science often exceed 500 annually system-wide, while lecturer roles California Community Colleges fill adjunct needs in English, math, and history. Research jobs California Community Colleges focus on grants for workforce innovation.
Salary ranges start at $70,000 for entry-level instructors, rising to $130,000+ for tenured professors, per 2024 Transparent California data. Departments like Allied Health at colleges such as Santa Monica College or Engineering at Sierra College seek PhD-qualified candidates. Tenure-track positions offer stability, with contracts emphasizing 15-18 teaching units per semester. Adjunct professor jobs pay $70-$120 per unit hour, appealing for flexible academic careers at California Community Colleges.
Job trends show increased hiring post-COVID for online faculty and equity-minded educators. Check Community College Jobs, Lecturer Jobs, and Professor Jobs on AcademicJobs.com, filtered for California Community Colleges. Benefits include 24 vacation days, medical coverage, and professional development funds. System-wide postings appear via individual college HR sites, aggregated here.
Assistant Professor - Nursing 📈
High-demand role across 50+ colleges. Requires MSN; salary $85,000-$125,000.
View Nursing JobsLecturer - Computer Science 💻
Adjunct/full-time in tech hubs like Silicon Valley colleges. $75,000-$115,000.
Explore CS PositionsResearch Fellow - CTE 🔬
Grant-funded roles in workforce training. $80,000-$110,000.
Research OpportunitiesWhy Work at California Community Colleges
Academic careers at California Community Colleges stand out for their impact on diverse, first-generation students and strong support systems. Faculty enjoy work-life balance with lighter teaching loads compared to universities, plus opportunities for curriculum development and program leadership. Unique benefits include CalSTRS retirement (up to 2% at 60), comprehensive health plans, and union protections via AFT and CFT locals.
Research from the Public Policy Institute of California highlights CCCs' role in upward mobility, with 80% of transfers succeeding at four-year schools. Career prospects include advancement to department chairs or deans, plus system-wide mobility. Located in dynamic Sacramento, faculty access cultural hubs and nature. Trends for 2025 emphasize DEI initiatives and tech integration, making it ideal for innovative educators.
Compared to universities, CCCs offer higher teaching fulfillment and less publish-or-perish pressure. Explore Higher Ed Career Advice and University Salaries for insights. AcademicJobs.com positions California Community Colleges as a top choice for sustainable, rewarding faculty jobs California Community Colleges.
Salary Guide for Faculty at California Community Colleges 📊
Faculty salaries at California Community Colleges are structured on step-and-column schedules, influenced by experience, education, and college location. Per 2024 data from the Chancellor's Office and Transparent California, entry-level instructors earn $70,000-$90,000, while full professors reach $140,000-$170,000 at top steps. Average full-time salary is $121,000, up 5% from prior years due to state funding boosts. Adjuncts earn $70-$130 per instructional hour, varying by district (e.g., higher in Bay Area).
Factors include PhD premiums (5-10%), overload pay ($100+/hour), summer session stipends, and longevity bonuses. Coastal colleges like San Diego pay 10-15% more than inland due to COLA adjustments. For 2025, expect 3-4% raises amid budget surplus. Compare via Professor Salaries. Highest paid professors California Community Colleges often in nursing ($150k+) or admin tracks.
Equity adjustments and part-time equity initiatives boost adjunct earnings. Detailed schedules available on college sites; AcademicJobs.com aggregates trends for salaries California Community Colleges academia.
| Position | Entry Level | Average | Top End |
|---|---|---|---|
| Instructor | $70,000 | $95,000 | $120,000 |
| Counselor | $75,000 | $105,000 | $135,000 |
| Associate Professor | $90,000 | $115,000 | $145,000 |
| Professor | $110,000 | $135,000 | $170,000 |
| Adjunct (per unit) | $70/hr | $95/hr | $130/hr |
Rate My Professor: Top Educators at California Community Colleges
Discover top educators at California Community Colleges through Rate My Professor on AcademicJobs.com. Student feedback highlights excellence in teaching, with ratings guiding course selection across 116 colleges. Professor ratings California Community Colleges average 4.2/5, praising clarity and support.
Dr. Maria Gonzalez
Biology, Sacramento City College
"Engaging lectures, real-world applications."
Prof. James Lee
Computer Science, Foothill College
"Hands-on projects, career-focused."
Dr. Elena Patel
Nursing, Diablo Valley College
"Supportive, prepares for NCLEX."
Prof. Robert Kim
English, Santa Monica College
"Inspiring discussions, fair grading."
Dr. Lisa Chen
Math, Sierra College
"Clear explanations, office hours gold."
Prof. Ahmed Rivera
Business, Los Angeles City College
"Practical case studies, networking tips."
Career Progression at California Community Colleges
Career paths at California Community Colleges typically start with adjunct roles, progressing to full-time instructor after 2-3 years, then tenure review in 4-6 semesters. Tenure grants job security, with promotions to associate/full professor based on evaluations, service, and professional growth. Salaries advance via steps (up to 30+), adding $3,000-$5,000 annually.
System strengths include FLEX programs for development, sabbaticals every 6 years, and leadership academies. Research funding via Title V grants supports publication. Link to Higher Ed Career Advice and Administration Jobs. University-specific factors like district size influence pace—larger colleges offer faster tracks.
Research and Innovation at California Community Colleges
Research at California Community Colleges emphasizes applied projects, with $50M+ in annual grants for basic skills, STEM, and green tech. Trends for 2025 include AI integration and climate resilience centers at colleges like Pasadena City. Opportunities via NSF ATE grants and CCC Maker programs. Collaborations with UC/CSU enhance funding. Explore Research Jobs and Research Assistant Jobs.
Resources for California Community Colleges Academics
- Professional development via CCC Registry and FLEX units (paid time).
- Unions: California Federation of Teachers for advocacy and negotiations.
- Benefits: CalSTRS pension, dental/vision, life insurance, 18 sick days.
- Equity resources: UndocuSupport and PRIDE centers training.
- Career tools: AcademicJobs.com Free Resume Template and Cover Letter Template.
Student Life and Perspectives at California Community Colleges
Students thrive with associate degrees for transfer (80% success rate) and CTE certificates yielding 90% job placement. Guidance includes counseling, EOPS support, and transfer centers. Select professors via Rate My Professor—top-rated guide popular courses. Resources like Basic Needs Centers address food/housing. Career outcomes strong in tech/healthcare; visit Scholarships.