Dietitian Pay

Los Angeles vs Union City: Dietitian and Nutritionist Salary (2026)

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

Los Angeles, CA
$99,173
$47.68/hr
Union City, CA
$101,873
$48.98/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricLos Angeles, CAUnion City, CA
Median Salary$99,173$101,873
Hourly Rate$47.68$48.98
Entry Level (P10)$76,720$63,769
25th Percentile$84,782$85,965
75th Percentile$107,724$116,609
Top Earner (P90)$121,054$133,355
Total Employed3,06011
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Los Angeles ($99,173) and Union City ($101,873) dietitian and nutritionist salaries.Los AngelesUnion CityMedian Salary$99,173$101,873Entry Level (P10)$76,720$63,769Top Earner (P90)$121,054$133,355US Median $79,380

Verdict

Union City, 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 Union City is $2,700 (2.72%). Union City's median is +28.34% 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,Union City spans $69,586. Union City 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
Union City
P10 (Entry)$63,769
P25$85,965
Median$101,873
P75$116,609
P90 (Top)$133,355

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Union City ($90,073 effective) pays 3.15% more than Los Angeles ($87,326 effective).

Los Angeles
Nominal: $99,173
CoL Index: 113.566
Adjusted: $87,326
Union City
Nominal: $101,873
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $90,073

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 Union City if…

  • Higher median salary ($101,873/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($133,355)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $90,073)
  • 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 Union City over the same period.

Los Angeles, CA

+24.8%

$76,460 (2019) → $95,450 (2025)

Union City, CA

+-1.7%

$99,751 (2024) → $98,049 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Union City has a higher median dietitian and nutritionist salary at $101,873/year, compared to Los Angeles at $99,173/year — a difference of $2,700 (2.72%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Los Angeles and Union City?

Los Angeles dietitian and nutritionists earn $47.68/hr while Union City hygienists earn $48.98/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Los Angeles and Union City. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Los Angeles = $87,326, Union City = $90,073), job availability (3,060 vs 11 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) dietitian and nutritionists earn $76,720 in Los Angeles and $63,769 in Union City. 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