Dietitian Pay

Riverside vs Upland: Dietitian and Nutritionist Salary (2026)

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

Riverside, CA
$98,996
$47.60/hr
Upland, CA
$98,299
$47.26/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricRiverside, CAUpland, CA
Median Salary$98,996$98,299
Hourly Rate$47.60$47.26
Entry Level (P10)$76,283$63,406
25th Percentile$84,658$80,911
75th Percentile$105,240$116,377
Top Earner (P90)$122,488$135,108
Total Employed71018
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Riverside ($98,996) and Upland ($98,299) dietitian and nutritionist salaries.RiversideUplandMedian Salary$98,996$98,299Entry Level (P10)$76,283$63,406Top Earner (P90)$122,488$135,108US Median $79,380

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Riverside and Upland is $697 (0.71%). Riverside's median is +24.71% compared to the US national median of $79,380.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Riverside spans $46,205,Upland spans $71,702. Upland has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced dietitian and nutritionists.

Riverside
P10 (Entry)$76,283
P25$84,658
Median$98,996
P75$105,240
P90 (Top)$122,488
Upland
P10 (Entry)$63,406
P25$80,911
Median$98,299
P75$116,377
P90 (Top)$135,108

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Riverside ($93,005 effective) pays 7.01% more than Upland ($86,913 effective).

Riverside
Nominal: $98,996
CoL Index: 106.442
Adjusted: $93,005
Upland
Nominal: $98,299
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $86,913

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Riverside if…

  • Higher median salary ($98,996/year)
  • Larger job market (710 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $93,005)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Choose Upland if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($135,108)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dietitian and nutritionist salaries in Riverside grew 30.9% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -1.7% growth in Upland over the same period.

Riverside, CA

+30.9%

$72,770 (2019) → $95,280 (2025)

Upland, CA

+-1.7%

$96,251 (2024) → $94,609 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dietitian and nutritionists more: Riverside or Upland?

Riverside has a higher median dietitian and nutritionist salary at $98,996/year, compared to Upland at $98,299/year — a difference of $697 (0.71%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Riverside and Upland?

Riverside dietitian and nutritionists earn $47.60/hr while Upland hygienists earn $47.26/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Riverside and Upland. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Riverside = $93,005, Upland = $86,913), job availability (710 vs 18 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) dietitian and nutritionists earn $76,283 in Riverside and $63,406 in Upland. 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