Dietitian Pay

San Francisco vs West Sacramento: Dietitian and Nutritionist Salary (2026)

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

San Francisco, CA
$121,958
$58.63/hr
West Sacramento, CA
$100,069
$48.11/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricSan Francisco, CAWest Sacramento, CA
Median Salary$121,958$100,069
Hourly Rate$58.63$48.11
Entry Level (P10)$70,694$67,366
25th Percentile$98,591$84,481
75th Percentile$140,701$118,397
Top Earner (P90)$150,510$137,414
Total Employed1,2109
Side-by-side bar chart comparing San Francisco ($121,958) and West Sacramento ($100,069) dietitian and nutritionist salaries.San FranciscoWest SacramentoMedian Salary$121,958$100,069Entry Level (P10)$70,694$67,366Top Earner (P90)$150,510$137,414US Median $79,380

Verdict

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

The salary gap between San Francisco and West Sacramento is $21,889 (21.87%). 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,West Sacramento spans $70,048. San Francisco has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

San Francisco
P10 (Entry)$70,694
P25$98,591
Median$121,958
P75$140,701
P90 (Top)$150,510
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, San Francisco ($105,488 effective) pays 19.22% more than West Sacramento ($88,478 effective).

San Francisco
Nominal: $121,958
CoL Index: 115.613
Adjusted: $105,488
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 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 West Sacramento 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 West Sacramento over the same period.

San Francisco, CA

+30.2%

$90,140 (2019) → $117,380 (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: San Francisco or West Sacramento?

San Francisco has a higher median dietitian and nutritionist salary at $121,958/year, compared to West Sacramento at $100,069/year — a difference of $21,889 (21.87%).

What is the hourly rate difference between San Francisco and West Sacramento?

San Francisco dietitian and nutritionists earn $58.63/hr while West Sacramento hygienists earn $48.11/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing San Francisco and West Sacramento. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: San Francisco = $105,488, West Sacramento = $88,478), job availability (1,210 vs 9 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) dietitian and nutritionists earn $70,694 in San Francisco and $67,366 in West Sacramento. 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