Dietitian Pay

Rancho Cucamonga vs San Francisco: Dietitian and Nutritionist Salary (2026)

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

Rancho Cucamonga, CA
$103,036
$49.54/hr
San Francisco, CA
$121,958
$58.63/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricRancho Cucamonga, CASan Francisco, CA
Median Salary$103,036$121,958
Hourly Rate$49.54$58.63
Entry Level (P10)$61,719$70,694
25th Percentile$87,255$98,591
75th Percentile$120,382$140,701
Top Earner (P90)$139,306$150,510
Total Employed461,210
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Rancho Cucamonga ($103,036) and San Francisco ($121,958) dietitian and nutritionist salaries.Rancho CucamongaSan FranciscoMedian Salary$103,036$121,958Entry Level (P10)$61,719$70,694Top Earner (P90)$139,306$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 Rancho Cucamonga.

The salary gap between Rancho Cucamonga and San Francisco is $18,922 (18.36%). 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 Rancho Cucamonga spans $77,587,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.

Rancho Cucamonga
P10 (Entry)$61,719
P25$87,255
Median$103,036
P75$120,382
P90 (Top)$139,306
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 15.79% more than Rancho Cucamonga ($91,102 effective).

Rancho Cucamonga
Nominal: $103,036
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $91,102
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 Rancho Cucamonga 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 Rancho Cucamonga grew -1.7% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 30.2% growth in San Francisco over the same period.

Rancho Cucamonga, CA

+-1.7%

$100,889 (2024) → $99,168 (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: Rancho Cucamonga or San Francisco?

San Francisco has a higher median dietitian and nutritionist salary at $121,958/year, compared to Rancho Cucamonga at $103,036/year — a difference of $18,922 (18.36%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Rancho Cucamonga and San Francisco?

Rancho Cucamonga dietitian and nutritionists earn $49.54/hr while San Francisco hygienists earn $58.63/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Rancho Cucamonga to San Francisco as a dietitian and nutritionist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Rancho Cucamonga and San Francisco. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Rancho Cucamonga = $91,102, San Francisco = $105,488), job availability (46 vs 1,210 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level dietitian and nutritionists earn in Rancho Cucamonga vs San Francisco?

Entry-level (10th percentile) dietitian and nutritionists earn $61,719 in Rancho Cucamonga 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