Dietitian Pay

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

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

Davis, CA
$98,370
$47.30/hr
Los Angeles, CA
$99,173
$47.68/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricDavis, CALos Angeles, CA
Median Salary$98,370$99,173
Hourly Rate$47.30$47.68
Entry Level (P10)$63,868$76,720
25th Percentile$81,054$84,782
75th Percentile$116,585$107,724
Top Earner (P90)$131,446$121,054
Total Employed143,060
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Davis ($98,370) and Los Angeles ($99,173) dietitian and nutritionist salaries.DavisLos AngelesMedian Salary$98,370$99,173Entry Level (P10)$63,868$76,720Top Earner (P90)$131,446$121,054US Median $79,380

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Davis and Los Angeles is $803 (0.82%). Los Angeles's median is +24.93% compared to the US national median of $79,380.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Davis spans $67,578,Los Angeles spans $44,334. Davis has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Davis
P10 (Entry)$63,868
P25$81,054
Median$98,370
P75$116,585
P90 (Top)$131,446
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, Los Angeles ($87,326 effective) pays 0.40% more than Davis ($86,976 effective).

Davis
Nominal: $98,370
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $86,976
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 Davis if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($131,446)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Choose Los Angeles if…

  • Higher median salary ($99,173/year)
  • Larger job market (3,060 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $87,326)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

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

Davis, CA

+-1.7%

$96,322 (2024) → $94,678 (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: Davis or Los Angeles?

Los Angeles has a higher median dietitian and nutritionist salary at $99,173/year, compared to Davis at $98,370/year — a difference of $803 (0.82%).

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

Davis dietitian and nutritionists earn $47.30/hr while Los Angeles hygienists earn $47.68/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Davis and Los Angeles. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Davis = $86,976, Los Angeles = $87,326), job availability (14 vs 3,060 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) dietitian and nutritionists earn $63,868 in Davis 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