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Peer Support Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Bilingual Spanish Peer Support Specialist Location: California Employment Type: Full-time Salary: $25/hour Date Posted -05-01-2026 About the Role Peer Support Specialist provides individualized ...

Bilingual Spanish Peer Support Specialist Location: California Employment Type: Full-time Salary: $25/hour Date Posted -05-01-2026 About the Role Peer Support Specialist provides individualized ...

Bilingual Spanish Peer Support Specialist Location: California Employment Type: Full-time Salary: $25/hour Date Posted -05-01-2026 About the Role Peer Support Specialist provides individualized ...

Description Peer Support Specialist Location: Anaheim, California Employment Type: Full-time Salary: $23 About the Program: Opportunity Knocks is a full service partnership (FSP) treating adults ...

Peer Support Specialist Department: Administration Job Status: Part-Time Shift: 12:00 PM - 4:00 PM Days Worked: Fri., Sat. Rate of Pay: $23.00 - $24.00 Hourly Position Type: PRN Status: Accepting ...

Showing results 21-40

Peer Support information

See California salary details

$10

$19

$28

How much do peer support jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 16, 2026, the average hourly pay for peer support in California is $19.46, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $16.59 and $21.35 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a peer support specialist, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Peer Support Specialist, you need lived experience with mental health or substance use recovery, strong interpersonal skills, and usually a peer support certification. Familiarity with electronic documentation systems and knowledge of community resources are commonly required. Empathy, active listening, and nonjudgmental communication set outstanding peer supporters apart. These skills foster trust and empowerment, enabling clients to engage in recovery and access vital support services.

How to get a job as a peer support specialist?

To become a peer support specialist, individuals typically need to have lived experience with mental health or substance use challenges and complete relevant training or certification programs. Many employers prefer candidates with strong communication skills, empathy, and a basic understanding of mental health services, often requiring a high school diploma or equivalent. Certification programs are available through various mental health organizations and can improve job prospects.

What is the difference between Peer Support vs Peer Support?

AspectPeer SupportPeer Support
CredentialsOften requires certification in peer support or mental health first aidSame as Peer Support
Work EnvironmentCommunity centers, mental health clinics, hospitalsSame as Peer Support
Industry UsageHealthcare, mental health, social servicesSame as Peer Support
Search IntentComparing roles within peer support servicesSame as Peer Support

Since the comparison is between the same job title, Peer Support, the roles, credentials, and work environments are identical. The focus is on understanding how peer support workers assist individuals through shared experiences in various settings like healthcare and community services.

What are some common challenges faced by peer support specialists, and how can they effectively manage these challenges?

Peer support specialists often encounter challenges such as maintaining professional boundaries while building trust with clients, managing emotional stress from supporting individuals in crisis, and navigating complex healthcare or social service systems. To effectively manage these challenges, it's important to participate in regular supervision or debriefings, engage in ongoing training, and practice self-care to prevent burnout. Collaboration with clinical staff and open communication within the team also support a healthy work environment and ensure high-quality support for clients.

What is a peer support specialist?

Peer support specialists are individuals with lived experience of mental health challenges, substance use, or other life disruptions who are trained to support others facing similar situations. They use their personal experiences to provide empathy, encouragement, and practical assistance to help others in their recovery journeys. Peer support specialists often work in mental health settings, addiction recovery programs, hospitals, or community organizations. Their role is to offer hope and understanding, foster empowerment, and connect people to resources while promoting wellness and self-advocacy.

What are the duties of a peer support?

A peer support worker provides emotional support, guidance, and encouragement to individuals facing similar challenges, such as mental health or substance use issues. They listen actively, share their experiences, and help clients access resources or services, often working in community or healthcare settings. Strong communication skills and empathy are essential, and some roles may require relevant certifications or training.

What are the most commonly searched types of Peer Support jobs in California?

The most popular types of Peer Support jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Peer Support jobs?

Cities in California with the most Peer Support job openings:

Infographic showing various Peer Support job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 64% Full Time, 29% Part Time, 2% Temporary, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 91% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 7% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $40,485 per year, or $19.5 per hour.

Peer Support Specialist

Clarvida - California

Anaheim, CA

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 4 days ago


Job description

Peer Support Specialist 
Location: Anaheim, California 
Employment Type: Full-time 
Salary: $23 
About the Program:
Opportunity Knocks is a full service partnership (FSP) treating adults struggling with severe mental health disorders along with a current/recent legal history and are at risk of being homeless or currently homeless.
About Your Role:
As a Peer Support Specialist, you are fully integrated team members who provide highly individualized services in the community and promote consumer self-determination and decision-making.  Peer Support Specialists are also peers to the consumers and they have the innate ability to build trust and relationships with consumers.  The insight resulting from this relationship is extremely useful in encouraging continued consumer growth and recovery, as well as a valuable tool that can be brought to the treatment team in gaining insight for the treatment of each individual consumer.
 
Does the following apply to you?
  • High school diploma or general education degree (GED) required with computer or business courses
    • Bachelor’s degree preferred but not required
  • Consumer of Mental Health Services; Persons with a history of being consumers of mental health service or individuals with lived experience (i.e. living with a relative, significant other, or other support person who is a consumer of mental health services)
  • Active Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist Certification 
  • Proof of: valid California driver’s license and auto insurance
Preferred Qualifications:
  • At least one or more year(s) of experience equivalent as a Peer Specialist/Peer Mentor
  • Understand the concepts of self-help, peer support and recovery model
  • Understand the principles of the mental health system and effectively work within the system
  • Knowledge of community resources and connections and experience working with peers
 
What we offer:
 
Full Time Employees:
 
  • Paid vacation days that increase with tenure
  • Separate sick leave that rolls over each year*
  • up to 10 Paid holidays*
  • Medical, Dental, Vision benefit plan options
  • DailyPay- Access to your daily earnings without waiting for payday*
  • Training, Development and Continuing Education Credits for licensure requirements
All Employees:
  • 401K
  • Free licensure supervision
  • Pet Insurance
  • Employee Assistance program
  • Perks @Clarvida - national discounts on shopping, travel, Verizon, and entertainment
  • Mileage reimbursement
  • Cellphone stipend
 
Application Deadline: Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled. 
  
If you're #readytowork we are #readytohire! Now hiring! 
Not the job you’re looking for? 
Clarvida has a variety of positions in various locations; please go to 
 https://www.clarvida.com/working-at-clarvida  
  
To Learn More About Us: 
Clarvida @ http://www.clarvida.com/mission-vision-and-values/   
Clarvida is an equal opportunity employer with a commitment to diversity. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, veteran status or any other protected characteristic. 
  
"We encourage job seekers to be vigilant against fraudulent recruitment activities that are on the rise across the healthcare industry. Communication about legitimate Clarvida job opportunities will only come from an authorized Clarvida.com email address, from a notifications@jobvite.com email, or a personal LinkedIn account that is associated with a Clarvida.com email address." 
  
Keywords 
Peer Support Specialist, Peer Mentor, Recovery Support, Mental Health Services, Behavioral Health, Community-Based Services, California Behavioral Health Jobs, Clarvida Careers