Dietitian Pay

San Francisco vs Torrance: Dietitian and Nutritionist Salary (2026)

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

San Francisco, CA
$121,958
$58.63/hr
Torrance, CA
$103,389
$49.71/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricSan Francisco, CATorrance, CA
Median Salary$121,958$103,389
Hourly Rate$58.63$49.71
Entry Level (P10)$70,694$62,177
25th Percentile$98,591$81,835
75th Percentile$140,701$125,126
Top Earner (P90)$150,510$147,478
Total Employed1,21026
Side-by-side bar chart comparing San Francisco ($121,958) and Torrance ($103,389) dietitian and nutritionist salaries.San FranciscoTorranceMedian Salary$121,958$103,389Entry Level (P10)$70,694$62,177Top Earner (P90)$150,510$147,478US Median $79,380

Verdict

San Francisco, CA offers better overall compensation for dietitians and nutritionists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Torrance.

The salary gap between San Francisco and Torrance is $18,569 (17.96%). 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 San Francisco spans $79,816,Torrance spans $85,301. Torrance has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced dietitian and nutritionists.

San Francisco
P10 (Entry)$70,694
P25$98,591
Median$121,958
P75$140,701
P90 (Top)$150,510
Torrance
P10 (Entry)$62,177
P25$81,835
Median$103,389
P75$125,126
P90 (Top)$147,478

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, San Francisco ($105,488 effective) pays 15.40% more than Torrance ($91,414 effective).

San Francisco
Nominal: $121,958
CoL Index: 115.613
Adjusted: $105,488
Torrance
Nominal: $103,389
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $91,414

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

Which City Is Right for You?

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

Choose Torrance if…

  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dietitian and nutritionist salaries in San Francisco grew 30.2% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -1.7% growth in Torrance over the same period.

San Francisco, CA

+30.2%

$90,140 (2019) → $117,380 (2025)

Torrance, CA

+-1.7%

$101,235 (2024) → $99,508 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dietitian and nutritionists more: San Francisco or Torrance?

San Francisco has a higher median dietitian and nutritionist salary at $121,958/year, compared to Torrance at $103,389/year — a difference of $18,569 (17.96%).

What is the hourly rate difference between San Francisco and Torrance?

San Francisco dietitian and nutritionists earn $58.63/hr while Torrance hygienists earn $49.71/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing San Francisco and Torrance. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: San Francisco = $105,488, Torrance = $91,414), job availability (1,210 vs 26 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) dietitian and nutritionists earn $70,694 in San Francisco and $62,177 in Torrance. 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