Dietitian and Nutritionist Hourly Pay in San Francisco, CA: $58.63 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dietitian and nutritionist working in San Francisco, CA runs $58.63 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $121,958 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1031). Weighted against San Francisco's regional price level (BEA RPP 115.6, 16% above national), each hour of work buys what $50.71 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $73,171 per year.
Official BLS data · View source

Dietitians and nutritionists in San Francisco, California, earn a median hourly rate of $58.63, significantly surpassing the national hourly median of $38.16. This robust compensation reflects the city's higher cost of living and demand for skilled practitioners. With hourly wages ranging from $33.99 for entry-level positions to $72.37 for top earners, this profession offers a viable income for those seeking part-time work or per-diem positions. Many dietitians find opportunities in diverse settings such as hospital clinical nutrition consult rounds, outpatient clinics, school district kitchens, and private practice, making flexible arrangements feasible. Being able to navigate these hourly pay structures allows professionals to tailor their work schedules according to personal and financial needs, positioning them favorably within the growing market for dietitian and nutritionist hourly pay in San Francisco.
Dietitian and Nutritionist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $33.99 | $271.89 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $47.40 | $379.19 |
| Median (P50) | $58.63 | $469.05 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $67.64 | $541.11 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $72.37 | $578.93 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in San Francisco
Based on $58.63/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $58.63/hr, a dietitian and nutritionist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in San Francisco, CA can expect to earn approximately $121,952 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $70,357. With a cost-of-living index of 115.61 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in San Francisco.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in San Francisco
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,345.23 | $10,163 | $121,952 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,407.14 | $6,098 | $73,171 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $938.09 | $4,065 | $48,781 |
Compare DN Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dietitian and Nutritionist (San Francisco) | $58.63 |
| Registered Nurse (National Avg) | $42.80 |
| Health Education Specialist (National Avg) | $31.83 |
| Dental Hygienist (National Avg) | $42.45 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist (National Avg) | $43.60 |
Dietitian and Nutritionists in San Francisco, CA earn a median of $121,958 per year (2026 est.), which is 53.64% higher than the national median of $79,380 and 20.00% above the California state average of $101,632.
Dietitian and Nutritionist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $58.63/hr = $73,171/year (purchasing power: $63,290).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $121,952/year (purchasing power: $105,483).
CoL index: 115.613 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$43.34/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$56.43/hr
2026 Current Est.
$58.63/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+40.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dietitians and Nutritionists in San Francisco (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.90% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $43.34/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $46.02/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $46.04/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $49.36/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $49.89/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $48.95/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $56.43/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $58.63/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $60.92/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dietitians and nutritionists in San Francisco grew 30.2% from $43.34/hr (2019) to $56.43/hr (2025). At a 3.90% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $60.92/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem dietitians and nutritionists can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the San Francisco metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 3.90% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Dietitian and Nutritionist in San Francisco
When considering the financial landscape of dietitian and nutritionist careers in San Francisco, part-time employees working 24 hours per week can expect a substantial income. For instance, a dietitian working three days a week could earn around $45,619 annually, a competitive figure compared to full-time positions. Per diem dietitian and nutritionist pay in San Francisco tends to range between $50 and $80 per hour, depending on experience and specializations; those involved in sports nutrition consulting can increase their earnings to $80-$150 per hour. Different employer types, including healthcare facilities, corporate wellness programs, and public health initiatives, emphasize varying pay rates. Higher hourly rates are often associated with private practice and cash-pay models, which are becoming more prevalent as dietitians and nutritionists transition to self-employment. Many practitioners face trade-offs between lower hourly wages in traditional roles that offer benefits, and higher freelance rates without those perks. For those seeking to negotiate their hourly rates, understanding local market demands and maintaining professional credibility through credentials such as those from the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND) and the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) can be essential for gaining an advantageous position.
More salary data for San Francisco, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for dietitians and nutritionists in San Francisco in 2026?
How much do part-time dietitians and nutritionists make in San Francisco?
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 3.90% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for dietitians and nutritionists in San Francisco. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.90%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for dietitian and nutritionists (SOC 29-1031).
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