Dietitian Pay

Huntington Beach vs San Francisco: Dietitian and Nutritionist Salary (2026)

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

Huntington Beach, CA
$102,001
$49.04/hr
San Francisco, CA
$121,958
$58.63/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricHuntington Beach, CASan Francisco, CA
Median Salary$102,001$121,958
Hourly Rate$49.04$58.63
Entry Level (P10)$67,486$70,694
25th Percentile$85,157$98,591
75th Percentile$117,926$140,701
Top Earner (P90)$146,214$150,510
Total Employed501,210
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Huntington Beach ($102,001) and San Francisco ($121,958) dietitian and nutritionist salaries.Huntington BeachSan FranciscoMedian Salary$102,001$121,958Entry Level (P10)$67,486$70,694Top Earner (P90)$146,214$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 Huntington Beach.

The salary gap between Huntington Beach and San Francisco is $19,957 (19.57%). 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 Huntington Beach spans $78,728,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.

Huntington Beach
P10 (Entry)$67,486
P25$85,157
Median$102,001
P75$117,926
P90 (Top)$146,214
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 16.97% more than Huntington Beach ($90,187 effective).

Huntington Beach
Nominal: $102,001
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $90,187
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 Huntington Beach 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 Huntington Beach grew -1.7% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 30.2% growth in San Francisco over the same period.

Huntington Beach, CA

+-1.7%

$99,876 (2024) → $98,172 (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: Huntington Beach or San Francisco?

San Francisco has a higher median dietitian and nutritionist salary at $121,958/year, compared to Huntington Beach at $102,001/year — a difference of $19,957 (19.57%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Huntington Beach and San Francisco?

Huntington Beach dietitian and nutritionists earn $49.04/hr while San Francisco hygienists earn $58.63/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Huntington Beach and San Francisco. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Huntington Beach = $90,187, San Francisco = $105,488), job availability (50 vs 1,210 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

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