Looking for your first job, or starting over, in Richmond? The City of Richmond runs its own free job center and a construction training academy, and it sets a minimum wage above the state’s. This guide covers where to start when you have little or no experience.
Know the pay floor: $19.18 an hour
Richmond has its own minimum wage. From January 1, 2026 it is $19.18 an hour for work done inside the city limits, compared with $16.90 for California as a whole. If a job in Richmond offers less, ask about it. Questions go to the city’s Employment and Training Department at 330 25th Street or 510-307-8011.
Start at RichmondWORKS
RichmondWORKS is the city’s career center at 330 25th Street, Richmond, phone 510-307-8014. You can call or walk in. Its services include:
- Job search help and job referrals.
- Resume preparation and career counseling.
- Computers, phones and internet for your search.
- Skills assessment, vocational training and California Training Benefits.
- Typing tests, which many government office jobs ask for. Our typing certificates page has the details.
- Literacy services, help for dislocated workers, and youth programs.
Veterans and military spouses get priority service.
Learn a trade at RichmondBUILD
RichmondBUILD is the city’s training academy for construction and renewable energy. Every student does a carpentry pre-apprenticeship, then picks an elective: extended carpentry, hazardous waste removal, solar energy, energy efficiency, or electrical wiring and theory. The city says the program places 80 percent of its graduates, at an average starting wage of $20.00 an hour.
You sign up through RichmondWORKS. The academy’s own number is 510-621-1780.
Entry-level jobs with the city
The City of Richmond posts its jobs on governmentjobs.com. On October 2, 2026, the openings that suit someone starting out included:
- Lifeguard: $21.67 to $25.09 an hour.
- Police Cadet: $20.23 to $24.56 an hour.
- Administrative Student Intern, open on a continuous basis: $21.25 to $30.18 an hour.
- School Crossing Guard, part time.
- Recreation Program Specialist, part time: $25.09 to $30.49 an hour.
Government applications want your full work history. Volunteer work, school projects and helping in a family business count, so write them down with dates and what you did.
Schools and the refinery
- West Contra Costa Unified, based in Richmond, hires aides, food service, custodial and office staff, many part time. Our EDJOIN guide explains how to apply.
- Chevron’s Richmond refinery hires operator trainees from time to time, and the requirements start with a high school diploma and two years of any work. See How to Become a Refinery Operator.
Make no experience work for you
- Lead with what you can do: show up on time, learn fast, work with the public, lift and stand, speak a second language.
- Ask RichmondWORKS to look over your resume before you send it out.
- Take our Where Are You in Your Job Search? quiz for a next step that fits where you are.
- Watch out for job scams aimed at people new to the job hunt. Read How to Spot a Fake Job Posting.
See what is open now on our Richmond jobs page, or set up a job alert.