Dietitian Pay

Los Angeles vs West Sacramento: Dietitian and Nutritionist Salary (2026)

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

Los Angeles, CA
$99,173
$47.68/hr
West Sacramento, CA
$100,069
$48.11/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricLos Angeles, CAWest Sacramento, CA
Median Salary$99,173$100,069
Hourly Rate$47.68$48.11
Entry Level (P10)$76,720$67,366
25th Percentile$84,782$84,481
75th Percentile$107,724$118,397
Top Earner (P90)$121,054$137,414
Total Employed3,0609
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Los Angeles ($99,173) and West Sacramento ($100,069) dietitian and nutritionist salaries.Los AngelesWest SacramentoMedian Salary$99,173$100,069Entry Level (P10)$76,720$67,366Top Earner (P90)$121,054$137,414US Median $79,380

Verdict

West Sacramento, 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 West Sacramento is $896 (0.90%). West Sacramento's median is +26.06% 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,West Sacramento spans $70,048. West Sacramento 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
West Sacramento
P10 (Entry)$67,366
P25$84,481
Median$100,069
P75$118,397
P90 (Top)$137,414

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, West Sacramento ($88,478 effective) pays 1.32% more than Los Angeles ($87,326 effective).

Los Angeles
Nominal: $99,173
CoL Index: 113.566
Adjusted: $87,326
West Sacramento
Nominal: $100,069
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $88,478

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 West Sacramento if…

  • Higher median salary ($100,069/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($137,414)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $88,478)
  • 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 West Sacramento over the same period.

Los Angeles, CA

+24.8%

$76,460 (2019) → $95,450 (2025)

West Sacramento, CA

+-1.7%

$97,985 (2024) → $96,313 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

West Sacramento has a higher median dietitian and nutritionist salary at $100,069/year, compared to Los Angeles at $99,173/year — a difference of $896 (0.90%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Los Angeles and West Sacramento?

Los Angeles dietitian and nutritionists earn $47.68/hr while West Sacramento hygienists earn $48.11/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Los Angeles and West Sacramento. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Los Angeles = $87,326, West Sacramento = $88,478), job availability (3,060 vs 9 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) dietitian and nutritionists earn $76,720 in Los Angeles and $67,366 in West Sacramento. 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