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Focus Group Moderator Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Focus Group Moderator information

See California salary details

$13

$30

$52

How much do focus group moderator jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 3, 2026, the average hourly pay for focus group moderator in California is $30.52, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $20.87 and $35.82 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a focus group moderator?

A Focus Group Moderator is responsible for leading discussions with a group of participants to gather opinions, feedback, or insights on a specific topic, product, or service. They ask open-ended questions, encourage engagement, and ensure the discussion stays on track while remaining unbiased. Moderators analyze the responses and provide valuable insights to help businesses, organizations, or researchers make informed decisions. Effective moderators possess strong communication skills, active listening abilities, and the ability to manage group dynamics.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a focus group moderator?

To thrive as a Focus Group Moderator, you need strong research abilities, keen observational skills, and experience with qualitative methods, often combined with a relevant degree in social sciences, marketing, or communications. Familiarity with virtual meeting platforms, digital recording tools, and data analysis software is typically required. Exceptional communication, impartial facilitation, and active listening are vital soft skills for engaging participants and extracting meaningful insights. These competencies are crucial for ensuring sessions are productive, unbiased, and yield high-quality feedback for clients or research objectives.

What are some typical challenges faced by focus group moderators, and how can they be managed?

Focus Group Moderators often encounter challenges such as managing dominant participants, encouraging quieter members to share their perspectives, and steering conversations back on topic when discussions stray. Handling sensitive subjects with tact and maintaining neutrality are also common hurdles. Successfully navigating these challenges involves employing active listening techniques, setting clear ground rules, and using probing questions to elicit balanced input. Over time, moderators develop strategies to foster productive, respectful dialogues, ultimately enhancing the quality and reliability of the collected insights.

How do you become a focus group moderator?

To become a focus group moderator, you typically need strong communication and interpersonal skills, experience in market research or related fields, and the ability to facilitate discussions effectively. Some roles may require training or certification in research methods, and familiarity with survey tools or recording equipment is often helpful. Many moderators start as assistants or participants before progressing to lead roles.

How much do focus group moderators make?

Focus group moderators typically earn between $15 and $50 per hour, depending on experience, location, and the complexity of the research. Some may be paid a flat fee per session, which can range from $50 to several hundred dollars. Compensation can also include incentives or gift cards for participants, but moderators' pay varies based on the scope of the project and their skill level.

What do focus group moderators do in focus groups?

Focus group moderators are responsible for guiding discussions, asking questions, and ensuring participants stay on topic during focus group sessions. They facilitate a productive environment, observe participant reactions, and record feedback to help companies understand consumer opinions and preferences. Strong communication skills and the ability to manage group dynamics are essential for this role.

What are the most commonly searched types of Focus Group Moderator jobs in California?

The most popular types of Focus Group Moderator jobs in California are:

What job categories do people searching Focus Group Moderator jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Focus Group Moderator jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Focus Group Moderator jobs?

Cities in California with the most Focus Group Moderator job openings:

Infographic showing various Focus Group Moderator job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 75% Full Time, 20% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 86% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 12% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $63,488 per year, or $30.5 per hour.

PACE Interdisciplinary Operations Manager

syhealth

San Diego, CA • On-site

Full-time

Posted 21 days ago


Job description

Position Summary:

Under the direct supervision of the Senior PACE Program Director, the Interdisciplinary Operations Manager is responsible for standardization and implementation of workflows, training, coaching, and identifying areas of improvement within the IDT Moderator role. This role encompasses training, coaching, ongoing monitoring of key performance indicators, EPIC optimization, and ensuring compliance with all PACE regulatory requirements.

Essential Functions:

  • Collaborate with leadership to develop workflows, training programs, and EPIC optimizations that align with PACE regulations and policies, with a strong focus on enhancing patient satisfaction.
  • Responsible for the interviewing and selection of IDT Moderators.
  • Onboards and trains new IDT Moderators on workflows and role expectations.
  • Support leadership in optimizing training materials as needed.
  • Ensure all team members are effectively fulfilling their assigned IDT Moderator roles.
  • Create and maintain methods of monitoring key IDT compliance areas and overall effectiveness of the IDT Moderators.
  • Monitor and report key performance indicators regularly to leadership.
  • Communicate operational issues and concerns to the Center Manager, with a focus on continual program improvement and enhancement.
  • Ongoingly optimize reporting to increase leadership’s oversight of key areas of the IDT and its services.
  • Collaborate with site leadership to ensure standardization and efficiency of all IDT Moderators.
  • Assist site leadership in the annual evaluation process for all IDT Moderators.

Site Responsibilities:

  • Meets regularly with Site Day Leadership and Technical Managers to review goals, trends, and performance measures for each team member and to facilitate change as needed.
  • Ensure that team members understand the importance of their and others’ roles on the team and remain open to the cooperative dynamic of the team. Emphasizes teamwork and collaboration in all Interdisciplinary and cross-team interactions.
  • Coordinates orientation and in-service programs for staff to meet regulatory requirements and support performance improvement. Ensures the provision of quality service within expected standards and financial targets. Ensures appropriate utilization of organizational resources.
  • Participates in the continued development of the team to improve the team decision- making process, providing support to the team to troubleshoot, advise, teach, coordinate and deliver care and service to participants.
  • Partners and collaborates with the QAPI in support of all regulatory activities and compliance measures. Including but not limited to quality improvement projects and implementation.
  • Supports the PACE Center Manager and Medical Director in monitoring intake, disenrollment, and panel management activities.
  • May be required to fulfill an IDT Moderator role if necessary.

Additional Duties and Responsibilities:

  • Enhances professional growth and development through participation in educational programs, current literature, in-service meetings, and workshops.
  • Encourages creative thinking, problem-solving, and empowerment as part of the facility management group to improve morale and teamwork.
  • Works closely with the Directors and other Managers and Supervisors.
  • Possesses excellent organizational skills and ability to follow up on a multitude of tasks daily.
  • Performs other related duties as assigned or requested.

Job Requirements:

Education Required (Minimum level of education):

  • Bachelor’s degree in healthcare or related field or equivalent relevant experience.

 

Certifications/Licenses Required:

  • None.

Experience Required (Minimum experience):

  • Minimum of 2 years experience of working with an Interdisciplinary Team
  • Minimum of 2 years experience working with the frail elderly population

Verbal and Written Skills Required to Perform the Job:

  • Good oral and written communication skills
  • The verbal ability for an accurate and tactful explanation.

 

Technical Knowledge and Skills Required to Perform the Job:

  • Must possess the skills necessary to provide care for geriatric patients, must thrive in a team environment, must possess great organizational and supervisory skills, and ability to effectively handle difficult and unusual interpersonal situations.
  • Only acts within the scope of his or her authority to practice.
  • Meet a standardized set of competencies for the specific position description established by SD PACE and approved by CMS before working independently.
  • Knowledge of medical terminology and working knowledge of Microsoft Windows, MS-Office.
  • Knowledge of health programs and eligibility, coding, and healthcare compliance and medical records.

Equipment:

  • Personal computer, Electronic Health Record system, or computerized referral system. Fax machine. Telephone devices and voicemail.

Working Conditions  and  Physical  Requirements:    

  • Prolonged periods of sitting, minimum walking, and constant telephone communication.
  • May be required to work evenings, holidays and weekends.
  • Travel to various PACE sites is required.

Universal Requirements:

Pre-employment requirements include I-9, physical, positive background, and reference check results, complete application, new hire orientation, pre- employment PPDs