Dietitian Pay

Huntington Beach vs Los Angeles: Dietitian and Nutritionist Salary (2026)

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

Huntington Beach, CA
$102,001
$49.04/hr
Los Angeles, CA
$99,173
$47.68/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricHuntington Beach, CALos Angeles, CA
Median Salary$102,001$99,173
Hourly Rate$49.04$47.68
Entry Level (P10)$67,486$76,720
25th Percentile$85,157$84,782
75th Percentile$117,926$107,724
Top Earner (P90)$146,214$121,054
Total Employed503,060
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Huntington Beach ($102,001) and Los Angeles ($99,173) dietitian and nutritionist salaries.Huntington BeachLos AngelesMedian Salary$102,001$99,173Entry Level (P10)$67,486$76,720Top Earner (P90)$146,214$121,054US Median $79,380

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Huntington Beach and Los Angeles is $2,828 (2.85%). Huntington Beach's median is +28.50% compared to the US national median of $79,380.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Huntington Beach spans $78,728,Los Angeles spans $44,334. Huntington Beach has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Huntington Beach
P10 (Entry)$67,486
P25$85,157
Median$102,001
P75$117,926
P90 (Top)$146,214
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, Huntington Beach ($90,187 effective) pays 3.28% more than Los Angeles ($87,326 effective).

Huntington Beach
Nominal: $102,001
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $90,187
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 Huntington Beach if…

  • Higher median salary ($102,001/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($146,214)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $90,187)
  • 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 Huntington Beach grew -1.7% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 24.8% growth in Los Angeles over the same period.

Huntington Beach, CA

+-1.7%

$99,876 (2024) → $98,172 (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: Huntington Beach or Los Angeles?

Huntington Beach has a higher median dietitian and nutritionist salary at $102,001/year, compared to Los Angeles at $99,173/year — a difference of $2,828 (2.85%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Huntington Beach and Los Angeles?

Huntington Beach dietitian and nutritionists earn $49.04/hr while Los Angeles hygienists earn $47.68/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Huntington Beach and Los Angeles. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Huntington Beach = $90,187, Los Angeles = $87,326), job availability (50 vs 3,060 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) dietitian and nutritionists earn $67,486 in Huntington Beach 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