Dietitian Pay

Moreno Valley vs Riverside: Dietitian and Nutritionist Salary (2026)

Compare dietitian and nutritionist salaries between Moreno Valley, CA and Riverside, CA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Moreno Valley, CA
$102,589
$49.32/hr
Riverside, CA
$98,996
$47.60/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricMoreno Valley, CARiverside, CA
Median Salary$102,589$98,996
Hourly Rate$49.32$47.60
Entry Level (P10)$63,897$76,283
25th Percentile$82,772$84,658
75th Percentile$124,839$105,240
Top Earner (P90)$144,780$122,488
Total Employed53710
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Moreno Valley ($102,589) and Riverside ($98,996) dietitian and nutritionist salaries.Moreno ValleyRiversideMedian Salary$102,589$98,996Entry Level (P10)$63,897$76,283Top Earner (P90)$144,780$122,488US Median $79,380

Verdict

Moreno Valley, CA offers better overall compensation for dietitians and nutritionists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Riverside.

The salary gap between Moreno Valley and Riverside is $3,593 (3.63%). Moreno Valley's median is +29.24% compared to the US national median of $79,380.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Moreno Valley spans $80,883,Riverside spans $46,205. Moreno Valley has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Moreno Valley
P10 (Entry)$63,897
P25$82,772
Median$102,589
P75$124,839
P90 (Top)$144,780
Riverside
P10 (Entry)$76,283
P25$84,658
Median$98,996
P75$105,240
P90 (Top)$122,488

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Riverside ($93,005 effective) pays 2.53% more than Moreno Valley ($90,706 effective).

Moreno Valley
Nominal: $102,589
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $90,706
Riverside
Nominal: $98,996
CoL Index: 106.442
Adjusted: $93,005

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Moreno Valley if…

  • Higher median salary ($102,589/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($144,780)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Choose Riverside if…

  • Larger job market (710 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $93,005)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dietitian and nutritionist salaries in Moreno Valley grew -1.7% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 30.9% growth in Riverside over the same period.

Moreno Valley, CA

+-1.7%

$100,451 (2024) → $98,738 (2025)

Riverside, CA

+30.9%

$72,770 (2019) → $95,280 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dietitian and nutritionists more: Moreno Valley or Riverside?

Moreno Valley has a higher median dietitian and nutritionist salary at $102,589/year, compared to Riverside at $98,996/year — a difference of $3,593 (3.63%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Moreno Valley and Riverside?

Moreno Valley dietitian and nutritionists earn $49.32/hr while Riverside hygienists earn $47.60/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Moreno Valley to Riverside as a dietitian and nutritionist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Moreno Valley and Riverside. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Moreno Valley = $90,706, Riverside = $93,005), job availability (53 vs 710 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level dietitian and nutritionists earn in Moreno Valley vs Riverside?

Entry-level (10th percentile) dietitian and nutritionists earn $63,897 in Moreno Valley and $76,283 in Riverside. The Riverside 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