Dietitian Pay

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

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

Folsom, CA
$107,301
$51.59/hr
Los Angeles, CA
$99,173
$47.68/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricFolsom, CALos Angeles, CA
Median Salary$107,301$99,173
Hourly Rate$51.59$47.68
Entry Level (P10)$65,766$76,720
25th Percentile$85,735$84,782
75th Percentile$124,449$107,724
Top Earner (P90)$143,172$121,054
Total Employed173,060
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Folsom ($107,301) and Los Angeles ($99,173) dietitian and nutritionist salaries.FolsomLos AngelesMedian Salary$107,301$99,173Entry Level (P10)$65,766$76,720Top Earner (P90)$143,172$121,054US Median $79,380

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Folsom and Los Angeles is $8,128 (8.20%). Folsom's median is +35.17% compared to the US national median of $79,380.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Folsom spans $77,406,Los Angeles spans $44,334. Folsom has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Folsom
P10 (Entry)$65,766
P25$85,735
Median$107,301
P75$124,449
P90 (Top)$143,172
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, Folsom ($94,873 effective) pays 8.64% more than Los Angeles ($87,326 effective).

Folsom
Nominal: $107,301
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $94,873
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 Folsom if…

  • Higher median salary ($107,301/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($143,172)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $94,873)
  • 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 Folsom grew 4.1% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 24.8% growth in Los Angeles over the same period.

Folsom, CA

+4.1%

$99,199 (2024) → $103,273 (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: Folsom or Los Angeles?

Folsom has a higher median dietitian and nutritionist salary at $107,301/year, compared to Los Angeles at $99,173/year — a difference of $8,128 (8.20%).

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

Folsom dietitian and nutritionists earn $51.59/hr while Los Angeles hygienists earn $47.68/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Folsom and Los Angeles. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Folsom = $94,873, Los Angeles = $87,326), job availability (17 vs 3,060 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) dietitian and nutritionists earn $65,766 in Folsom 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