Dietitian Pay

Davis vs San Francisco: Dietitian and Nutritionist Salary (2026)

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

Davis, CA
$98,370
$47.30/hr
San Francisco, CA
$121,958
$58.63/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricDavis, CASan Francisco, CA
Median Salary$98,370$121,958
Hourly Rate$47.30$58.63
Entry Level (P10)$63,868$70,694
25th Percentile$81,054$98,591
75th Percentile$116,585$140,701
Top Earner (P90)$131,446$150,510
Total Employed141,210
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Davis ($98,370) and San Francisco ($121,958) dietitian and nutritionist salaries.DavisSan FranciscoMedian Salary$98,370$121,958Entry Level (P10)$63,868$70,694Top Earner (P90)$131,446$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 Davis.

The salary gap between Davis and San Francisco is $23,588 (23.98%). 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 Davis spans $67,578,San Francisco spans $79,816. San Francisco has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced dietitian and nutritionists.

Davis
P10 (Entry)$63,868
P25$81,054
Median$98,370
P75$116,585
P90 (Top)$131,446
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 21.28% more than Davis ($86,976 effective).

Davis
Nominal: $98,370
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $86,976
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 Davis 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 Davis grew -1.7% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 30.2% growth in San Francisco over the same period.

Davis, CA

+-1.7%

$96,322 (2024) → $94,678 (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: Davis or San Francisco?

San Francisco has a higher median dietitian and nutritionist salary at $121,958/year, compared to Davis at $98,370/year — a difference of $23,588 (23.98%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Davis and San Francisco?

Davis dietitian and nutritionists earn $47.30/hr while San Francisco hygienists earn $58.63/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Davis and San Francisco. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Davis = $86,976, San Francisco = $105,488), job availability (14 vs 1,210 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

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