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Graduate Student Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

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Graduate Student information

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How much do graduate student jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 7, 2026, the average hourly pay for graduate student in California is $16.35, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $14.47 and $18.27 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

How can I get a job as a graduate student?

The qualifications that you need to get a job as a graduate student include enrollment in a master’s or Ph.D. program and fundamental research or teaching skills. Employers usually select graduate degree employees for positions that are relevant to the programs in which they study. A biology graduate student, for example, can work as a teaching assistant for an undergraduate biology class or serve as an assistant on a biology-related research project. However, you may occasionally find work outside of your specialization if there is some crossover. Some employers require applicants to meet grade-point requirements or complete basic coursework before applying.

What are common challenges graduate students face when balancing research, coursework, and teaching responsibilities?

Graduate students often juggle multiple responsibilities simultaneously, such as conducting research, completing coursework, and fulfilling teaching assistant duties. Managing time effectively and setting clear priorities can be challenging, especially during peak periods like exams or grant deadlines. Many students find it helpful to communicate regularly with their advisors and peers, utilize campus resources for academic support, and develop strong organizational habits to stay on track. Building a supportive network and seeking guidance early can alleviate stress and help maintain a healthy work-life balance.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a graduate student?

To thrive as a Graduate Student, you need strong research abilities, subject-matter expertise from an undergraduate degree, and critical thinking skills. Familiarity with academic databases, reference management tools like EndNote or Zotero, and data analysis software such as SPSS or R is often required. Time management, perseverance, and effective communication are essential soft skills for balancing coursework, research, and collaboration. These competencies are vital for successfully navigating demanding academic environments and producing impactful scholarly work.

What is the difference between Graduate Student vs Research Assistant?

AspectGraduate StudentResearch Assistant
Required CredentialsEnrolled in a graduate program, often pursuing a master's or PhDTypically has a relevant degree; may be a current student or recent graduate
Work EnvironmentAcademic institutions, labs, classroomsResearch labs, universities, research centers
Employer & Industry UsageUniversities, colleges, academic researchUniversities, research institutions, government agencies
Common Search & ComparisonOften compared for academic and research rolesSpecialized research roles within academia

The main difference is that a Graduate Student is enrolled in a degree program and may undertake research as part of their coursework, while a Research Assistant is typically employed to assist with research projects, often holding a relevant degree or current student status. Both roles are common in academic settings and involve research activities, but their primary purpose and employment status differ.

What is a graduate student?

Graduate students are individuals who have completed an undergraduate degree and are pursuing advanced studies, typically at the master's or doctoral level. They enroll in graduate programs to gain deeper knowledge in a specific field, conduct research, and develop specialized skills. Graduate students may also take on teaching or research assistantships as part of their academic training. Their studies often culminate in a thesis, dissertation, or comprehensive exams, depending on the program.
What are the most commonly searched types of Graduate Student jobs in California? The most popular types of Graduate Student jobs in California are:
What are popular job titles related to Graduate Student jobs in California? For Graduate Student jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Graduate Student jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Graduate Student jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Graduate Student jobs? Cities in California with the most Graduate Student job openings:
Infographic showing various Graduate Student job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 2% Internship, 56% Full Time, 37% Part Time, and 5% Temporary. Highlights an 96% In-person, 2% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $34,013 per year, or $16.4 per hour.

Graduate Student Assistant - Substance and Addiction Prevention - Hybrid

University Enterprises, Inc.

Sacramento, CA • On-site

$20.50 - $24/hr

Other

Re-posted 28 days ago


Job description

Description
The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) is seeking to hire a Graduate Student Assistant (GSA) to work in a hybrid capacity with both remote work and work completed at the Sacramento County Coroner's office. Working under the close supervision and in a training capacity of the California Department of Public Health, Substance and Addiction Prevention Branch (SAPB), Epidemiology and Evaluation Unit. The GSA will be working with the State Unintentional Drug Overdose Reporting System (SUDORS) team, funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). SUDORS is a critical part of California's fatal drug-related overdose surveillance. The GSA will abstract data from coroner, toxicology, and autopsy reports and enter this data into CDC's secure cloud-based platform for the purpose of understanding the circumstances surrounding unintentional and undetermined overdose deaths.
This position is for Graduate Students only.
Requirements
Conditions of Employment
This is a part-time, temporary, non-benefited, student position. Employment in all positions with University Enterprises, Inc. is dependent upon the mutual consent of University Enterprises, Inc. and the employee. This means that either University Enterprises, Inc. or the employee can, at any time, terminate the employment relationship at will, with or without cause.
Depending on the type of position you are applying for, a pre-employment background check consisting of one or more of the following may be conducted: employment history, professional references, criminal check: educational verification (degree, license, or official transcript) or DMV clearance. Applicants will be required to pass required pre-employment checks to the satisfaction of University Enterprises, Inc. (UEI) and the hiring Agency or Department.
UEI does not allow students to hold more than one UEI Job at a time, or work in more than one account per pay period. UEI employees who are considering leaving their current UEI student assistant position for a different UEI student assistant position should inform their supervisor in writing and provide at least a week's notice.
UEI is not a multi-state employer. UEI only employs candidates who live and work in the state of California. If selected for the position you must reside in California and all work must be performed in the state of California throughout the course of employment.
Prerequisites
Must be a Graduate student attending classes during the regular term (fall, spring, and winter, if applicable) at a college or university.
To view our current affiliation list please paste the following URL into your browser: http://www.calinterns.org/wp-content/uploads/Affiliation_List.pdf
Graduate students must be enrolled in at least: four-semester units or six quarter units. Incoming graduate students are eligible and encouraged to apply.
Graduate students declared major must match the major(s) listed in the job posting.
Majors/Fields of Study
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Biological Science, Criminal Justice, Health Science, Economics, Education, English, Humanities, Interdisciplinary Studies, Liberal Studies, Neurobiology, Physiology and Behavior, Psychology, Nursing, Social Science, Social Work, Sociology, or Public Health.
Work Schedule
Flexible workdays and work hours, Monday - Friday, between 8 AM - 5 PM. The final work schedule will be determined by the supervisor.
Additional Work Schedule
Graduate Assistant employees generally work up to 24 hours per workweek (Sunday - Saturday) during the academic year and up to 40 hours per workweek during breaks; (winter, spring, and summer).
Compensation
$20.50 - $24.00 per hour.
Minimum Qualifications
  • Must be enrolled as a Graduate Student.
  • Must be comfortable working with sensitive death-related data.
  • Must be well organized with the ability to work independently to accomplish assigned tasks accurately and by established deadlines.
  • Experienced with using Microsoft Excel and Word.
  • Must have access to a computer, reliable internet, and a secure work space.
  • Must be able to perform in-person work at the Sacramento coroner's office.

Preferred Qualifications
  • Experience with data abstraction or data entry.
  • Individuals who are, or have been, a dependent child in foster care, a homeless youth or a formerly incarcerated youth as defined by Government Code section 18220 are encouraged to apply and will be given priority. Please note that prior to appointment, individuals claiming preference under one of these categories will be required to furnish documentation establishing their eligibility.

Duties and Responsibilities
  • Participate as a member of the SUDORS team.
  • Attend training on SUDORS data abstraction.
  • Abstract data from death certificates, coroner, toxicology, and autopsy reports.
  • Enter data into CDC's secure cloud-based platform.
  • Conduct quality control activities on previously abstracted data.
  • Assist with other Epidemiology and Evaluation Unit activities as needed.

Physical Requirements
Sit for extended periods; frequently stand and walk; manual dexterity and hand-eye coordination; corrected hearing and vision to normal range; verbal communication; use of office equipment including computer workstations, telephones, calculators, copiers, printers, and scanners with or without reasonable accommodation.
Working Conditions
Work is performed in a hybrid environment.
Students/employees will be required to work according to the current UEI remote workplace policy and sign a UEI Work from Home Agreement. The decision to permit an employee to work from home is at the discretion of the supervisor or employer and may, at any time and with or without cause, unilaterally terminate the option to work from home.
Application Instructions
Please complete all fields of the employment application. Include your educational history in the "Educational Experience" section and any employment history in the "Employment Experience" section of our application.
Applications will be considered on a rolling basis.
Final Application Date: 8/31/2026
This position is for Graduate Students only.

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About University Enterprises

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

As the nation’s leading university system, the CSU has pushed the boundaries of higher education for 60 years. We remain committed to delivering quality education, while fostering a culture of inclusion and understanding for our students and valued faculty and staff.

Industry

Colleges, universities, and professional schools

Company size

1,001 - 5,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Sacramento, CA, US