Dietitian Pay

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

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

Los Angeles, CA
$99,173
$47.68/hr
Torrance, CA
$103,389
$49.71/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricLos Angeles, CATorrance, CA
Median Salary$99,173$103,389
Hourly Rate$47.68$49.71
Entry Level (P10)$76,720$62,177
25th Percentile$84,782$81,835
75th Percentile$107,724$125,126
Top Earner (P90)$121,054$147,478
Total Employed3,06026
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Los Angeles ($99,173) and Torrance ($103,389) dietitian and nutritionist salaries.Los AngelesTorranceMedian Salary$99,173$103,389Entry Level (P10)$76,720$62,177Top Earner (P90)$121,054$147,478US Median $79,380

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Los Angeles and Torrance is $4,216 (4.25%). Torrance's median is +30.25% compared to the US national median of $79,380.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Los Angeles spans $44,334,Torrance spans $85,301. Torrance has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced dietitian and nutritionists.

Los Angeles
P10 (Entry)$76,720
P25$84,782
Median$99,173
P75$107,724
P90 (Top)$121,054
Torrance
P10 (Entry)$62,177
P25$81,835
Median$103,389
P75$125,126
P90 (Top)$147,478

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Torrance ($91,414 effective) pays 4.68% more than Los Angeles ($87,326 effective).

Los Angeles
Nominal: $99,173
CoL Index: 113.566
Adjusted: $87,326
Torrance
Nominal: $103,389
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $91,414

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Los Angeles if…

  • Larger job market (3,060 employed)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Choose Torrance if…

  • Higher median salary ($103,389/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($147,478)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $91,414)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dietitian and nutritionist salaries in Los Angeles grew 24.8% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -1.7% growth in Torrance over the same period.

Los Angeles, CA

+24.8%

$76,460 (2019) → $95,450 (2025)

Torrance, CA

+-1.7%

$101,235 (2024) → $99,508 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dietitian and nutritionists more: Los Angeles or Torrance?

Torrance has a higher median dietitian and nutritionist salary at $103,389/year, compared to Los Angeles at $99,173/year — a difference of $4,216 (4.25%).

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

Los Angeles dietitian and nutritionists earn $47.68/hr while Torrance hygienists earn $49.71/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Los Angeles and Torrance. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Los Angeles = $87,326, Torrance = $91,414), job availability (3,060 vs 26 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) dietitian and nutritionists earn $76,720 in Los Angeles and $62,177 in Torrance. 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