Dietitian Pay

Chula Vista vs San Francisco: Dietitian and Nutritionist Salary (2026)

Compare dietitian and nutritionist salaries between Chula Vista, CA and San Francisco, CA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Chula Vista, CA
$102,845
$49.45/hr
San Francisco, CA
$121,958
$58.63/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricChula Vista, CASan Francisco, CA
Median Salary$102,845$121,958
Hourly Rate$49.45$58.63
Entry Level (P10)$59,650$70,694
25th Percentile$85,542$98,591
75th Percentile$121,519$140,701
Top Earner (P90)$142,880$150,510
Total Employed511,210
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Chula Vista ($102,845) and San Francisco ($121,958) dietitian and nutritionist salaries.Chula VistaSan FranciscoMedian Salary$102,845$121,958Entry Level (P10)$59,650$70,694Top Earner (P90)$142,880$150,510US Median $79,380

Verdict

San Francisco, CA offers better overall compensation for dietitians and nutritionists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Chula Vista.

The salary gap between Chula Vista and San Francisco is $19,113 (18.58%). San Francisco's median is +53.64% compared to the US national median of $79,380.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Chula Vista spans $83,230,San Francisco spans $79,816. Chula Vista has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Chula Vista
P10 (Entry)$59,650
P25$85,542
Median$102,845
P75$121,519
P90 (Top)$142,880
San Francisco
P10 (Entry)$70,694
P25$98,591
Median$121,958
P75$140,701
P90 (Top)$150,510

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, San Francisco ($105,488 effective) pays 16.01% more than Chula Vista ($90,933 effective).

Chula Vista
Nominal: $102,845
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $90,933
San Francisco
Nominal: $121,958
CoL Index: 115.613
Adjusted: $105,488

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Chula Vista if…

  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Choose San Francisco if…

  • Higher median salary ($121,958/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($150,510)
  • Larger job market (1,210 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $105,488)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dietitian and nutritionist salaries in Chula Vista grew -3.6% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 30.2% growth in San Francisco over the same period.

Chula Vista, CA

+-3.6%

$102,633 (2024) → $98,985 (2025)

San Francisco, CA

+30.2%

$90,140 (2019) → $117,380 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dietitian and nutritionists more: Chula Vista or San Francisco?

San Francisco has a higher median dietitian and nutritionist salary at $121,958/year, compared to Chula Vista at $102,845/year — a difference of $19,113 (18.58%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Chula Vista and San Francisco?

Chula Vista dietitian and nutritionists earn $49.45/hr while San Francisco hygienists earn $58.63/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Chula Vista to San Francisco as a dietitian and nutritionist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Chula Vista and San Francisco. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Chula Vista = $90,933, San Francisco = $105,488), job availability (51 vs 1,210 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level dietitian and nutritionists earn in Chula Vista vs San Francisco?

Entry-level (10th percentile) dietitian and nutritionists earn $59,650 in Chula Vista and $70,694 in San Francisco. The San Francisco 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