Dietitian Pay

Brentwood vs Riverside: Dietitian and Nutritionist Salary (2026)

Compare dietitian and nutritionist salaries between Brentwood, CA and Riverside, CA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Brentwood, CA
$101,390
$48.75/hr
Riverside, CA
$98,996
$47.60/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBrentwood, CARiverside, CA
Median Salary$101,390$98,996
Hourly Rate$48.75$47.60
Entry Level (P10)$62,688$76,283
25th Percentile$81,110$84,658
75th Percentile$117,692$105,240
Top Earner (P90)$141,888$122,488
Total Employed13710
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Brentwood ($101,390) and Riverside ($98,996) dietitian and nutritionist salaries.BrentwoodRiversideMedian Salary$101,390$98,996Entry Level (P10)$62,688$76,283Top Earner (P90)$141,888$122,488US Median $79,380

Verdict

Brentwood, CA offers better overall compensation for dietitians and nutritionists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Riverside.

The salary gap between Brentwood and Riverside is $2,394 (2.42%). Brentwood's median is +27.73% compared to the US national median of $79,380.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Brentwood spans $79,200,Riverside spans $46,205. Brentwood has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Brentwood
P10 (Entry)$62,688
P25$81,110
Median$101,390
P75$117,692
P90 (Top)$141,888
Riverside
P10 (Entry)$76,283
P25$84,658
Median$98,996
P75$105,240
P90 (Top)$122,488

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Riverside ($93,005 effective) pays 3.75% more than Brentwood ($89,646 effective).

Brentwood
Nominal: $101,390
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $89,646
Riverside
Nominal: $98,996
CoL Index: 106.442
Adjusted: $93,005

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Brentwood if…

  • Higher median salary ($101,390/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($141,888)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Choose Riverside if…

  • Larger job market (710 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $93,005)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dietitian and nutritionist salaries in Brentwood grew -1.7% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 30.9% growth in Riverside over the same period.

Brentwood, CA

+-1.7%

$99,278 (2024) → $97,584 (2025)

Riverside, CA

+30.9%

$72,770 (2019) → $95,280 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dietitian and nutritionists more: Brentwood or Riverside?

Brentwood has a higher median dietitian and nutritionist salary at $101,390/year, compared to Riverside at $98,996/year — a difference of $2,394 (2.42%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Brentwood and Riverside?

Brentwood dietitian and nutritionists earn $48.75/hr while Riverside hygienists earn $47.60/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Brentwood to Riverside as a dietitian and nutritionist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Brentwood and Riverside. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Brentwood = $89,646, Riverside = $93,005), job availability (13 vs 710 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level dietitian and nutritionists earn in Brentwood vs Riverside?

Entry-level (10th percentile) dietitian and nutritionists earn $62,688 in Brentwood and $76,283 in Riverside. The Riverside area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

AP

Written by Aisha Patel, MS, RD

Career Analyst

Aisha has 10 years of experience as a nutrition consultant. She specializes in sports nutrition. Aisha works with professional athletes and teams.

Clinically reviewed by Carlos Gomez, RDNData verified by Emily Chen, MS, RDN

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 3.90% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Aisha Patel, MS, RD, a licensed dietitian and nutritionist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov