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Adjunct Faculty/Lab Instructor Salary in California

How much does an Adjunct Faculty/Lab Instructor make in California? As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for an Adjunct Faculty/Lab Instructor in California is $65,661 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $32.

However, an Adjunct Faculty/Lab Instructor's salary can vary significantly. Here's a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $83,295
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $57,442 to $74,892
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $49,958
Salary Factors Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Check out Adjunct Faculty/Lab Instructor Job Openings in California

Key Factors That Influence Adjunct Faculty/Lab Instructor Salaries

An Adjunct Faculty/Lab Instructor's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Adjunct Faculty/Lab Instructor Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Adjunct Faculty/Lab Instructor's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $60,911
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $61,168
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $64,379
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $67,969
  • Expert (over 8 years): $68,225
Job RoleYears of ExperienceAverage Salary
Entry Level Adjunct Faculty/Lab Instructor less than 1 year $60,911
Early Career Level Adjunct Faculty/Lab Instructor 1-2 years $61,168
Mid-Level Level Adjunct Faculty/Lab Instructor 2-4 years $64,379
Senior-Level Level Adjunct Faculty/Lab Instructor 5-8 years $67,969
Expert Level Adjunct Faculty/Lab Instructor over 8 years $68,225

How Do Adjunct Faculty/Lab Instructor Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Adjunct Faculty/Lab Instructors. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $65,911.
  • California: $65,661.
  • Massachusetts: $64,786.

Top Paying Cities for Adjunct Faculty/Lab Instructor

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • Los Angeles: $65,774
  • West Hollywood: $65,727
  • Dodgertown: $65,774

Adjunct Faculty/Lab Instructor Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Adjunct Faculty/Lab Instructor roles, the industry you choose can impact your earning potential by as much as 20% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the highest-paying industry, Government, offers compensation 10% above the average. Conversely, Adjunct Faculty/Lab Instructor positions in Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view Adjunct Faculty/Lab Instructor as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industry for an Adjunct Faculty/Lab Instructor

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Government $72,228 $35.0 10%

Adjunct Faculty/Lab Instructor Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Adjunct Faculty/Lab Instructor's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

  • Yearly
  • Monthly
  • Weekly
  • Hourly
  • Table View
Last Updated on August 01, 2026
$57,442
Average $65,661/year
$74,892
$4,787
Average $5,472/month
$6,241
$1,105
Average $1,263/week
$1,440
$28
Average $32/hour
$36
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $74,892 $6,241 $1,440 $36
Average $65,661 $5,472 $1,263 $32
25th Percentile $57,442 $4,787 $1,105 $28

Find Your Next Adjunct Faculty/Lab Instructor Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Adjunct Faculty/Lab Instructor job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

  • Simpson University | Redding, CA

    Adjunct Instructor of Criminal Justice

    Simpson University | Redding, CA

    Job Description. Job Description. Apply Here. https://secure.onehcm.com/ta/Simpson.jobs. ShowJob=721584131. &. TrackId=ZipRecruiter. The School of Adult St... more

    7 Days Ago

  • Simpson University | Redding, CA

    Adjunct Instructor of Music

    Simpson University | Redding, CA

    Job Description. Job Description. Apply Here. https://secure.onehcm.com/ta/Simpson.jobs. ShowJob=755152730. &. TrackId=ZipRecruiter. The Music Department a... more

    7 Days Ago

  • Simpson University | Redding, CA

    Adjunct Instructor of English

    Simpson University | Redding, CA

    Job Description. Job Description. Apply Here. https://secure.onehcm.com/ta/Simpson.jobs. ShowJob=537062530. &. TrackId=ZipRecruiter. Adjunct Instructor of ... more

    7 Days Ago

  • Simpson University | Redding, CA

    Adjunct Instructor of Chemistry

    Simpson University | Redding, CA

    Job Description. Job Description. Apply Here. https://secure.onehcm.com/ta/Simpson.jobs. ShowJob=537044297. &. TrackId=ZipRecruiter. The Science & Mathemat... more

    7 Days Ago

  • Simpson University | Redding, CA

    Adjunct Instructor of Mathematics

    Simpson University | Redding, CA

    Job Description. Job Description. Apply Here. https://secure.onehcm.com/ta/Simpson.jobs. ShowJob=453167054. &. TrackId=ZipRecruiter. Simpson University's S... more

    7 Days Ago

  • Simpson University | Redding, CA

    Adjunct Instructor of Physics

    Simpson University | Redding, CA

    Job Description. Job Description. Apply Here. https://secure.onehcm.com/ta/Simpson.jobs. ShowJob=738335381. &. TrackId=ZipRecruiter. The Science & Mathemat... more

    7 Days Ago

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Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons are derived from both employer job postings and third-party data sources. We also provide multiple percentiles of salary information for your reference, click here to know Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial to Getting Pay Equity Right. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.

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