Dietitian Pay

Carson vs Los Angeles: Dietitian and Nutritionist Salary (2026)

Compare dietitian and nutritionist salaries between Carson, CA and Los Angeles, CA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Carson, CA
$99,618
$47.90/hr
Los Angeles, CA
$99,173
$47.68/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCarson, CALos Angeles, CA
Median Salary$99,618$99,173
Hourly Rate$47.90$47.68
Entry Level (P10)$66,757$76,720
25th Percentile$83,566$84,782
75th Percentile$113,530$107,724
Top Earner (P90)$139,537$121,054
Total Employed213,060
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Carson ($99,618) and Los Angeles ($99,173) dietitian and nutritionist salaries.CarsonLos AngelesMedian Salary$99,618$99,173Entry Level (P10)$66,757$76,720Top Earner (P90)$139,537$121,054US Median $79,380

Verdict

Carson, CA offers better overall compensation for dietitians and nutritionists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Los Angeles.

The salary gap between Carson and Los Angeles is $445 (0.45%). Carson's median is +25.50% compared to the US national median of $79,380.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Carson spans $72,780,Los Angeles spans $44,334. Carson has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Carson
P10 (Entry)$66,757
P25$83,566
Median$99,618
P75$113,530
P90 (Top)$139,537
Los Angeles
P10 (Entry)$76,720
P25$84,782
Median$99,173
P75$107,724
P90 (Top)$121,054

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Carson ($88,080 effective) pays 0.86% more than Los Angeles ($87,326 effective).

Carson
Nominal: $99,618
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $88,080
Los Angeles
Nominal: $99,173
CoL Index: 113.566
Adjusted: $87,326

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Carson if…

  • Higher median salary ($99,618/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($139,537)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $88,080)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Choose Los Angeles if…

  • Larger job market (3,060 employed)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dietitian and nutritionist salaries in Carson grew -1.7% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 24.8% growth in Los Angeles over the same period.

Carson, CA

+-1.7%

$97,543 (2024) → $95,879 (2025)

Los Angeles, CA

+24.8%

$76,460 (2019) → $95,450 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dietitian and nutritionists more: Carson or Los Angeles?

Carson has a higher median dietitian and nutritionist salary at $99,618/year, compared to Los Angeles at $99,173/year — a difference of $445 (0.45%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Carson and Los Angeles?

Carson dietitian and nutritionists earn $47.90/hr while Los Angeles hygienists earn $47.68/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Carson to Los Angeles as a dietitian and nutritionist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Carson and Los Angeles. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Carson = $88,080, Los Angeles = $87,326), job availability (21 vs 3,060 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level dietitian and nutritionists earn in Carson vs Los Angeles?

Entry-level (10th percentile) dietitian and nutritionists earn $66,757 in Carson and $76,720 in Los Angeles. The Los Angeles 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