Dietitian and Nutritionist Hourly Pay in San Luis Obispo, CA: $48.63 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dietitian and nutritionist working in San Luis Obispo, CA runs $48.63 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $101,147 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1031). Weighted against San Luis Obispo's regional price level (BEA RPP 108.6, 9% above national), each hour of work buys what $44.78 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $60,684 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In San Luis Obispo, dietitians and nutritionists earn a median hourly rate of $48.63, which is significantly higher than the national median hourly rate of $38.16. This attractive pay scale opens numerous opportunities for professionals in both part-time and per-diem roles across various settings, such as outpatient clinics, long-term care facilities, and even virtual telehealth practices. For individuals working part-time, such as those clocking in three days a week, the total hours accumulated can yield a respectable annual income, especially with San Luis Obispo's favorable hourly rates in comparison to the national standards. The hourly range within the region can span from $37.46 at entry-level positions to $61.35 for seasoned practitioners, offering solid earning potential for those entering the field or advancing in their careers, as noted in the official BLS projections based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026.
Dietitian and Nutritionist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $37.46 | $299.65 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $39.34 | $314.69 |
| Median (P50) | $48.63 | $389.00 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $51.50 | $412.03 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $61.35 | $490.82 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in San Luis Obispo
Based on $48.63/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $48.63/hr, a dietitian and nutritionist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in San Luis Obispo, CA can expect to earn approximately $101,140 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $58,350. With a cost-of-living index of 108.60 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in San Luis Obispo.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in San Luis Obispo
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,945.01 | $8,428 | $101,140 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,167.00 | $5,057 | $60,684 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $778.00 | $3,371 | $40,456 |
Compare DN Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dietitian and Nutritionist (San Luis Obispo) | $48.63 |
| 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 Luis Obispo, CA earn a median of $101,147 per year (2026 est.), which is 27.42% higher than the national median of $79,380 and 0.50% below the California state average of $101,655.
Dietitian and Nutritionist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $48.63/hr = $60,684/year (purchasing power: $55,881).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $101,140/year (purchasing power: $93,135).
CoL index: 108.596 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$36.33/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$46.80/hr
2026 Current Est.
$48.63/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+39.1%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dietitians and Nutritionists in San Luis Obispo (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.90% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $36.33/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $37.55/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $37.27/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $40.67/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $45.00/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $42.34/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $46.80/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $48.63/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $50.52/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dietitians and nutritionists in San Luis Obispo grew 28.8% from $36.33/hr (2019) to $46.80/hr (2025). At a 3.90% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $50.52/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 Luis Obispo 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 Luis Obispo
Considering a 3-day workweek, a dietitian and nutritionist could anticipate taking home approximately $61,296 annually, compared to a full-time counterpart's earnings which would be significantly more. For those in the per-diem or agency roles, a quick shift to independent contracting can enhance earnings; per diem dietitian and nutritionist pay in San Luis Obispo often ranges from $50 to $80 per hour, while specialized sports nutrition consultants can command fees as high as $150 per hour. Different employers offer varying pay scales; for instance, clinical positions in hospitals might provide steady salaries with benefits, whereas private practice or cash-pay models could lead to higher hourly compensation but generally lack health insurance. Some professionals might prefer lower hourly wages that come with comprehensive benefits over higher rates without them. Knowing local market standards, a dietitian in San Luis Obispo should confidently negotiate based on their experience, expertise, and the specific employer's needs.
More salary data for San Luis Obispo, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for dietitians and nutritionists in San Luis Obispo in 2026?
How much do part-time dietitians and nutritionists make in San Luis Obispo?
Are dietitians and nutritionists in San Luis Obispo paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time dietitian and nutritionist make per year in San Luis Obispo?
Do dietitians and nutritionists earn more per hour working part-time in San Luis Obispo?
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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 Luis Obispo. 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