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California is the world’s largest cannabis market, full of exciting career opportunities for people of all skill levels. In the San Francisco Bay Area, the cannabis industry is thriving, with many startups and companies looking to fill entry-level, mid-level, and executive-level positions. 

Are you interested in finding cannabis jobs in the Bay Area? Our Bay Area job guide covers the most popular and in-demand jobs in San Francisco, San Jose, Oakland, San Rafael, and other major cities in the region. Here’s how you can get hired.

Cultivation Cannabis Jobs in the Bay Area

Cannabis cultivation businesses grow cannabis plants from seeds or clones. Employers are looking to hire individuals who are passionate about the industry and have basic knowledge about the cultivation process. Here are the most popular cultivation jobs.

Trimmer

man trimming cannabis, cannabis jobs Bay Area

Bud trimmers are some of the most popular cannabis jobs in San Francisco, Oakland, and the rest of the Bay Area. A trimmer is an entry-level position responsible for removing sugar leaves and stems from cannabis flowers using pruning shears. They must also weigh the flower.  

Assistant Grower

An assistant grower provides support for the cultivation manager. They must properly water, clean, and follow standard operating procedures when caring for the cannabis plant. They must learn how to identify basic garden problems.

Head Grower

An ideal candidate for the head grower position must understand the life cycle of the cannabis plant and the differences in strains. They must delegate the daily needs of plants while ensuring high yields and harvests.

Processing Cannabis Jobs in the Bay Area

Cannabis processing companies transform raw cannabis plants into various infusions, including concentrates, edibles, tinctures, capsules, and topicals. Entry-level cannabis jobs in San Francisco and the Bay Area may require a high school diploma but not always.

Packager

A packager job requires a person to sort, divide, and weigh products for packaging. They must label products based on company policy. They are responsible for organizing the product and a final quality check.

Extraction Technician

Extraction technicians prepare the raw material for processing in a solventless or solvent-based system. They must understand how to properly use the equipment and may be required to handle potentially flammable and explosive solvents.

Extraction Lab Manager

An extraction lab manager is responsible for overseeing the extraction process and handling the equipment. They must notice equipment issues and troubleshoot them.

Kitchen Assistant

A kitchen assistant prepares infusions and final products based on the kitchen manager’s instructions. They must meet daily production quotas, maintain a clean working area, and know how to operate the kitchen equipment.

Kitchen Manager

A kitchen manager oversees the staff of kitchen assistants. They are responsible for organizing inventory and equipment, quality control, and production efficiency. They must create employee schedules and ensure the daily production quotas are met.

Edibles Chef

An edibles chef formulates chocolate bars, gummies, chews, mints, and other confections. An edibles chef creates standard operating procedures and oversees daily production and product compliance.

Retail Cannabis Jobs in the Bay Area

Cannabis retailers cannabis products through medical and/or recreational dispensaries or delivery. Retailers sell packaged flowers, pre-rolls, topicals, concentrates, edibles, accessories, and more.

Budtender

Budtenders are entry-level positions that require knowledge about the industry and its products. Budtenders greet customers, check them in, and provide expert advice and recommendations on different products and consumption methods.

Budtenders must have excellent communication skills, be friendly, and provide excellent customer service. They must also know how to use a point-of-sale system and an integrated tracking system to track sales and remain compliant with state regulations.

Delivery Driver

A cannabis delivery driver transports orders directly to a customer’s home. They must check IDs, obtain payment, and track all orders. Delivery drivers must remain in strict compliance with all delivery regulations. 

Assistant Manager

An assistant manager is responsible for managing budtenders and security. They must resolve issues relating to POS or tracking systems. They must lead merchandising and sales efforts. They must also provide excellent customer service and have computer and math skills.

Dispensary Manager

A dispensary manager manages the staff, including budtenders, assistant managers, and security. They must create a work schedule and resolve customer issues. They are responsible for POS and tracking and resolving inventory issues.

Top Cannabis Companies in the Bay Area

  • Eaze
  • Kiva Confections
  • Flower Co
  • Flow Kana
  • Pax Labs, Inc
  • Roshi Solutions
  • Green Bits
  • Flowhub
  • Cannabis Now
  • LeafLink
  • Meadow

Top Cannabis Dispensaries in the Bay Area

  • Airfield Supply Co.
  • Berkeley Patients Group
  • The Apothecarium
  • Stiiizy
  • Barbary Coast
  • Golden Gate Cannabis Company
  • MediThrive
  • Bloom Room
  • Grass Roots
  • The Green Door
  • Pure 710SF
  • Dutchman’s Flat
  • Flower to the People

Where to Find Cannabis Jobs in the Bay Area

Are you interested in joining the exciting and fast-growing cannabis industry in the Bay Area? Check out these sources for the best cannabis jobs in the region.

Cannabis Job Boards

We recommend signing up for job alerts to be notified when a job is posted. Early application ensures you have the best chance of getting hired.

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  • Indeed
  • Simply Hired
  • LinkedIn
  • Glassdoor
  • Monster
  • ZipRecruiter

Cannabis Staffing Agencies

Recruiting agencies pair prospective employees with companies that are hiring in the area.

  • Vangst
  • Viridian Staffing
  • FlowerHire
  • THC Staffing Group
  • THC Talent Solutions
  • Cannabiz Team
  • Dark Staffing Solutions

Get Cannabis Certified at Cannabis Training University

Gain the industry skills to impress hiring managers and get the job. Enroll in Cannabis Training University’s online expert training to earn your credentials. Our industry programs give you the skills and knowledge you need to land the perfect career for you!

CTU offers a comprehensive curriculum that includes quizzes, downloadable handouts, HD videos, ebooks, and certification after passing the final exam. We make sure our alumni are prepared to handle the challenges of a professional cannabis career! Enroll today!

Fred Hernandez - Cannabis industry expert writer
Fred Hernandez

Fred Hernandez is a highly accomplished and versatile writer, boasting an extensive background in the cannabis industry. With an in-depth understanding of various sectors including cultivators, processors, retailers, and brands, Fred's expertise spans across the entire cannabis landscape. As a prominent contributor to CTU, he consistently delivers insightful articles exploring the latest developments, news, and regulations shaping the cannabis industry. Whether it's delving into the intricacies of cannabis products, cannabis strain reviews, or providing comprehensive analyses of cannabis laws, or sharing expert insights on cannabis cultivation techniques, Fred's wealth of knowledge positions him as an invaluable writer and educator for all cannabis-related subjects.

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