Dietitian and Nutritionist Salary in California: $105,073 (2026)

Quick Answer:Across California's 157 metropolitan areas, the average median dietitian and nutritionist pay sits at $105,073/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-1031. Because California sits at BEA RPP 113.1 (13% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $92,903 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Sunnyvale ($125,796), Santa Clara ($124,970), San Jose ($122,910).

Dietitian and Nutritionist Salary in California - 2025 BLS Data Infographic — California dietitian and nutritionist salary overview (2026)

$105,073

Avg Median Salary

$50.52

Avg Hourly Rate

11,229

Metro Employed

157

Cities

In California, the projected average median salary for dietitians and nutritionists in 2026 is $105,073, which is significantly higher than the national median of $79,380, marking a 32.4% advantage for professionals in the state. The salaries vary considerably across cities, with Sunnyvale offering the highest average at $130,702 and Redding at the lower end with $94,050. This salary gap can be attributed to factors such as the cost of living and demand for healthcare services in different regions. California has specific state licensing requirements and scope of practice laws that influence the profession. Dietitians must be licensed, and their scope of practice can vary based on local health regulations and the healthcare landscape. The demand for dietitians and nutritionists is expected to grow, with a projected annual growth rate of 3.90%, indicating a strong job market for the profession. Key metropolitan areas, including Santa Clara ($129,844), San Jose ($127,703), Oakland ($124,734), and Fremont ($121,982), reflect the overall positive employment outlook, underscoring the necessity for dietitians and nutritionists as health awareness continues to rise across the state.

California Dietitian and Nutritionist Salary Range

Entry Level (10th %ile)

$72,833

avg across 157 cities

Median

$105,073

state average

Top Earners (90th %ile)

$134,598

avg across 157 cities

Overall salary range in California: $47,555 (lowest entry-level) to $182,343 (highest top earner)

California vs National Average

California

$105,073

National Median

$79,380

California dietitians and nutritionists earn 32.37% more than the national median (+$25,693/year difference).

California Dietitian and Nutritionist Salary Distribution (2026)

Dietitian and Nutritionist salaries in California range from $72,833 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $134,598 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $105,073. The California median is $25,693 above the US national median of $79,380. The average hourly rate is $50.52/hr. Approximately 11,229 dietitian and nutritionists are employed across 157 cities.

2019 BLS Actual

$79,018

2025 BLS Actual

$101,129

2026 Current Est.

$105,073

2019–2027 Growth

+38.2%

Salary Trajectory for Dietitians and Nutritionists in California (2019–2027)

2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.90% projection.

BLS Actual Estimated Projected

Year	Annual Salary	Status
2019	$79,018	Actual
2020	$82,770	Actual
2021	$82,405	Actual
2022	$81,745	Actual
2023	$87,146	Actual
2024	$97,134	Actual
2025	$101,129	Actual
2026(current)	$105,073	Estimated
2027	$109,171	Projected

Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the California metropolitan area, the median dietitian and nutritionist salary grew 28.0% from $79,018 (2019) to $101,129 (2025). At a 3.90% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $109,171 by 2027 — a total increase of $30,153 (38.16%) from 2019.

Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the California 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.

Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in California

Sunnyvale

26 employed · $62.84/hr

$130,702

+24.39% vs avg

Santa Clara

32 employed · $62.42/hr

$129,844

+23.58% vs avg

San Jose

610 employed · $61.39/hr

$127,703

+21.54% vs avg

Oakland

78 employed · $59.97/hr

$124,734

+18.71% vs avg

Fremont

43 employed · $58.64/hr

$121,982

+16.09% vs avg

Lowest Paying Cities in California

City	Median Salary	vs State Avg	Hourly
Redding	$94,050	-10.49%	$45.22
Bakersfield	$94,300	-10.25%	$45.33
Lodi	$95,303	-9.30%	$45.82
Brea	$96,439	-8.22%	$46.36
Stockton	$96,637	-8.03%	$46.46

Best Value Cities for Dietitians and Nutritionists in California

When adjusted for local cost of living, these California cities offer the most purchasing power for dietitians and nutritionists.

City	Nominal Salary	CoL Index	Adjusted Salary
San Jose	$127,703	110.423	$115,649
Sunnyvale	$130,702	113.1	$115,563
Santa Clara	$129,844	113.1	$114,805
Oakland	$124,734	113.1	$110,286
Fremont	$121,982	113.1	$107,853

Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.

Salary by Experience Level in California

Experience Level	Estimated Annual	Est. Hourly	Description
Entry Level (0-2 years)	$72,833	$35.02	10th percentile, new graduates
Mid Career (3-7 years)	$105,073	$50.52	50th percentile, median salary
Experienced (7+ years)	$134,598	$64.71	90th percentile, top earners

Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across California metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.

All 157 Cities in California

#	City	Median Salary	Hourly	Entry (P10)	Top (P90)	Employed
1	Sunnyvale	$130,702	$62.84	$82,490	$182,343	26
2	Santa Clara	$129,844	$62.42	$80,580	$174,534	32
3	San Jose	$127,703	$61.39	$93,416	$161,398	610
4	Oakland	$124,734	$59.97	$76,337	$178,947	78
5	Fremont	$121,982	$58.64	$70,750	$177,355	43
6	San Francisco	$121,958	$58.63	$70,694	$150,510	1,210
7	Vallejo	$115,776	$55.66	$82,050	$153,969	100
8	Santa Cruz	$107,807	$51.83	$78,725	$131,870	40
9	Santa Ana	$107,697	$51.77	$63,561	$151,120	69
10	Folsom	$107,301	$51.59	$65,766	$143,172	17
11	Sacramento	$106,581	$51.24	$79,619	$144,421	550
12	Roseville	$106,141	$51.03	$70,613	$148,684	35
13	Santa Maria	$106,040	$50.98	$82,019	$131,423	100
14	Fontana	$105,704	$50.82	$62,475	$148,378	32
15	Salinas	$105,604	$50.77	$79,307	$130,052	60
16	Irvine	$105,587	$50.77	$66,872	$151,106	72
17	Pomona	$105,072	$50.52	$65,892	$142,677	36
18	Simi Valley	$105,015	$50.49	$66,080	$146,112	23
19	Napa	$104,991	$50.47	$82,029	$164,546	40
20	Escondido	$104,990	$50.47	$66,131	$142,120	31
21	Fairfield	$104,801	$50.38	$65,603	$141,470	25
22	Fullerton	$104,415	$50.20	$64,433	$144,308	25
23	Daly City	$104,325	$50.15	$64,233	$140,113	20
24	El Monte	$104,292	$50.14	$64,579	$143,881	20
25	Vista	$104,235	$50.11	$64,451	$143,411	24
26	Concord	$104,210	$50.10	$64,397	$143,598	29
27	Clovis	$104,054	$50.03	$64,052	$138,916	19
28	Garden Grove	$103,947	$49.98	$63,400	$142,693	37
29	Temecula	$103,923	$49.97	$63,763	$138,742	25
30	Santa Clarita	$103,853	$49.93	$66,192	$149,200	41
31	Lancaster	$103,717	$49.86	$63,311	$148,624	40
32	Inglewood	$103,717	$49.86	$63,311	$148,624	21
33	Santa Rosa	$103,609	$49.81	$76,647	$138,031	110
34	Corona	$103,586	$49.80	$62,920	$147,827	24
35	Richmond	$103,570	$49.79	$62,572	$141,398	25
36	Rialto	$103,520	$49.77	$62,879	$141,228	17
37	Torrance	$103,389	$49.71	$62,177	$147,478	26
38	Elk Grove	$103,191	$49.61	$62,058	$139,837	25
39	Oceanside	$103,166	$49.60	$62,004	$139,685	28
40	Whittier	$103,136	$49.58	$66,632	$137,335	22
41	San Rafael	$103,128	$49.58	$66,508	$137,242	11
42	Rancho Cucamonga	$103,036	$49.54	$61,719	$139,306	46
43	Hayward	$102,978	$49.51	$61,594	$145,783	23
44	Woodland	$102,951	$49.50	$66,104	$140,466	15
45	Buena Park	$102,936	$49.49	$66,173	$136,920	20
46	Encinitas	$102,927	$49.49	$66,155	$136,630	16
47	Downey	$102,920	$49.48	$61,159	$145,853	22
48	Dublin	$102,863	$49.46	$66,008	$136,675	14
49	Chula Vista	$102,845	$49.45	$59,650	$142,880	51
50	Redlands	$102,831	$49.44	$65,935	$140,318	16
51	Chino	$102,775	$49.41	$65,701	$136,114	17
52	Westminster	$102,743	$49.39	$65,313	$140,017	21
53	Santa Monica	$102,734	$49.39	$65,610	$135,978	20
54	San Diego	$102,726	$49.38	$77,083	$126,727	620
55	San Mateo	$102,724	$49.38	$61,042	$144,903	21
56	Tulare	$102,694	$49.37	$65,518	$135,842	17
57	San Buenaventura	$102,657	$49.35	$68,643	$144,944	19
58	Petaluma	$102,619	$49.33	$68,846	$140,095	12
59	Moreno Valley	$102,589	$49.32	$63,897	$144,780	53
60	Mission Viejo	$102,589	$49.32	$65,385	$135,753	23
61	Pleasanton	$102,573	$49.31	$65,349	$139,178	16
62	Pasadena	$102,428	$49.25	$65,610	$143,884	35
63	Santee	$102,356	$49.21	$64,857	$134,970	9
64	Glendale	$102,264	$49.17	$67,763	$143,587	36
65	Mountain View	$102,211	$49.14	$64,529	$134,484	13
66	Pittsburg	$102,202	$49.13	$64,093	$138,185	19
67	Novato	$102,170	$49.12	$64,334	$134,087	11
68	Costa Mesa	$102,132	$49.10	$64,958	$143,135	23
69	Berkeley	$102,026	$49.05	$67,234	$136,159	23
70	Huntington Beach	$102,001	$49.04	$67,486	$146,214	50
71	Jurupa Valley	$101,910	$49.00	$67,286	$142,109	24
72	Hemet	$101,881	$48.98	$63,787	$133,382	14
73	Union City	$101,873	$48.98	$63,769	$133,355	11
74	Carlsbad	$101,867	$48.98	$66,784	$142,098	23
75	West Covina	$101,861	$48.97	$67,177	$141,874	25
76	Chino Hills	$101,832	$48.96	$63,574	$136,659	21
77	Gilroy	$101,688	$48.88	$63,354	$142,907	10
78	Modesto	$101,645	$48.86	$80,273	$127,402	100
79	San Marcos	$101,631	$48.86	$62,811	$142,713	17
80	Tustin	$101,543	$48.82	$62,613	$135,960	18
81	San Ramon	$101,534	$48.81	$63,011	$135,674	19
82	Eastvale	$101,438	$48.77	$62,795	$135,349	10
83	Murrieta	$101,434	$48.77	$66,335	$140,485	25
84	Vacaville	$101,434	$48.77	$66,335	$144,525	15
85	Brentwood	$101,390	$48.75	$62,688	$141,888	13
86	Hesperia	$101,341	$48.72	$62,580	$141,723	14
87	Lake Elsinore	$101,334	$48.72	$62,562	$141,437	18
88	Citrus Heights	$101,205	$48.66	$62,276	$134,828	19
89	San Luis Obispo	$101,147	$48.63	$77,904	$127,620	70
90	El Cajon	$101,113	$48.61	$62,332	$139,661	18
91	San Clemente	$101,083	$48.59	$61,903	$140,586	10
92	Bellflower	$101,044	$48.58	$61,917	$140,709	11
93	Palmdale	$100,999	$48.55	$65,277	$142,767	29
94	La Mirada	$100,998	$48.55	$67,068	$130,344	10
95	Apple Valley	$100,979	$48.55	$61,775	$133,817	19
96	Menifee	$100,949	$48.53	$65,271	$139,105	20
97	Anaheim	$100,938	$48.53	$60,912	$143,417	51
98	Yucaipa	$100,907	$48.51	$61,614	$140,243	14
99	Norwalk	$100,900	$48.51	$65,062	$138,675	22
100	Yuba City	$100,859	$48.49	$61,508	$133,674	10
101	Rancho Cordova	$100,810	$48.47	$61,400	$139,657	20
102	Montebello	$100,713	$48.42	$61,187	$139,588	16
103	Compton	$100,673	$48.40	$60,994	$132,799	25
104	Visalia	$100,658	$48.40	$65,135	$123,277	60
105	Porterville	$100,601	$48.37	$60,938	$132,816	11
106	Lompoc	$100,588	$48.36	$66,212	$129,002	8
107	Hawthorne	$100,432	$48.28	$60,565	$132,255	13
108	Antioch	$100,400	$48.27	$63,970	$140,723	17
109	Burbank	$100,391	$48.26	$60,777	$137,222	22
110	Ontario	$100,330	$48.24	$61,748	$137,924	42
111	Alhambra	$100,158	$48.16	$67,977	$137,712	13
112	Livermore	$100,158	$48.16	$64,643	$137,712	21
113	Orange	$100,128	$48.14	$63,483	$136,340	21
114	South Gate	$100,125	$48.14	$67,493	$137,603	25
115	Victorville	$100,103	$48.13	$63,430	$135,996	30
116	West Sacramento	$100,069	$48.11	$67,366	$137,414	9
117	Poway	$100,043	$48.10	$64,943	$127,481	8
118	San Leandro	$99,908	$48.03	$67,308	$140,262	23
119	Indio	$99,796	$47.98	$66,747	$136,497	23
120	Lake Forest	$99,796	$47.98	$66,747	$136,497	14
121	Carson	$99,618	$47.90	$66,757	$139,537	21
122	Rocklin	$99,603	$47.89	$66,720	$139,483	10
123	Long Beach	$99,502	$47.84	$57,948	$145,055	89
124	Newport Beach	$99,433	$47.80	$66,340	$135,284	12
125	Redwood City	$99,425	$47.80	$66,220	$134,939	13
126	Turlock	$99,401	$47.79	$66,166	$138,549	17
127	Manteca	$99,369	$47.77	$66,195	$135,069	13
128	Perris	$99,361	$47.77	$65,770	$135,042	12
129	Madera	$99,281	$47.73	$65,996	$134,520	8
130	Los Angeles	$99,173	$47.68	$76,720	$121,054	3,060
131	San Bernardino	$99,119	$47.65	$57,489	$144,064	33
132	Baldwin Park	$99,103	$47.65	$65,498	$133,931	19
133	Palo Alto	$99,103	$47.65	$65,599	$137,799	15
134	Lakewood	$99,063	$47.63	$65,510	$134,052	19
135	Riverside	$98,996	$47.60	$76,283	$122,488	710
136	Hanford	$98,862	$47.53	$64,959	$133,067	10
137	Beaumont	$98,774	$47.48	$64,459	$133,091	9
138	Merced	$98,757	$47.48	$61,944	$133,037	20
139	Tracy	$98,750	$47.47	$64,810	$132,758	14
140	Alameda	$98,717	$47.46	$64,738	$136,253	12
141	Laguna Niguel	$98,693	$47.45	$64,279	$136,424	16
142	Milpitas	$98,645	$47.43	$64,576	$136,010	16
143	Camarillo	$98,435	$47.33	$64,111	$131,973	13
144	Oakley	$98,395	$47.31	$61,160	$131,734	8
145	Davis	$98,370	$47.30	$63,868	$131,446	14
146	Upland	$98,299	$47.26	$63,406	$135,108	18
147	La Habra	$98,153	$47.19	$63,387	$134,313	16
148	Lynwood	$98,113	$47.17	$63,399	$130,913	16
149	Chico	$97,562	$46.90	$74,559	$120,389	40
150	Oxnard	$97,521	$46.88	$72,148	$114,487	150
151	Thousand Oaks	$97,127	$46.69	$64,725	$136,343	32
152	Fresno	$97,115	$46.69	$50,153	$115,433	240
153	Stockton	$96,637	$46.46	$67,753	$126,051	150
154	Brea	$96,439	$46.36	$64,639	$128,576	10
155	Lodi	$95,303	$45.82	$63,194	$128,994	14
156	Bakersfield	$94,300	$45.33	$47,555	$116,472	110
157	Redding	$94,050	$45.22	$47,565	$118,467	50

More California Salary Data

Hourly Rates

Explore dietitian and nutritionist hourly pay in California cities.

Sunnyvale →Santa Clara →San Jose →

Entry Level

Starting salaries for new dietitians and nutritionists.

Sunnyvale →Santa Clara →San Jose →

Senior / Experienced

Top earner salaries for experienced dietitians and nutritionists.

Sunnyvale →Santa Clara →San Jose →

Compare Cities in California

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Explore More Dietitian and Nutritionist Salary Data

National OverviewMedian salary & full US data Entry-Level SalariesStarting pay & new grad earnings Hourly Pay RatesPer-hour rates & part-time income Highest Paying StatesTop states ranked by salary

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do dietitians and nutritionists make in California in 2026?

The average median dietitian and nutritionist salary in California is $105,073/year across 157 metro areas, based on estimated 2026 (projected from 2025 BLS data). Salaries range from $94,050 in Redding to $130,702 in Sunnyvale. This makes California one of the higher-paying states, at 32.37% above the national median of $79,380. The state employs approximately 11,229 dietitians and nutritionists.

What is the highest paying city for dietitians and nutritionists in California?

Sunnyvale offers the highest dietitian and nutritionist salary in California at $130,702/year ($62.84/hr), based on estimated 2026 (projected from 2025 BLS data). The top 3 highest-paying cities are Sunnyvale ($130,702), Santa Clara ($129,844), San Jose ($127,703). Higher pay in these metros is typically driven by cost of living, demand for nutrition services, and competition among employers for licensed dietitians and nutritionists.

How does California dietitian and nutritionist pay compare to the national average?

California's average dietitian and nutritionist salary of $105,073 is 32.37% above the national median of $79,380 in 2026. The state employs approximately 11,229 dietitians and nutritionists across 157 metropolitan areas. When comparing salaries, consider cost-of-living differences — a lower nominal salary in an affordable area may provide better purchasing power than a higher salary in an expensive metro.

What is the entry-level dietitian and nutritionist salary in California?

Entry-level dietitians and nutritionists (10th percentile) in California earn approximately $72,833/year on average, based on estimated 2026 (projected from 2025 BLS data). Starting salaries range from $47,555 in lower-paying areas to $93,416 in the highest-paying metros. New graduates should expect salaries at the lower end and can typically reach the area median within 3–5 years of clinical experience.

How many dietitians and nutritionists are employed in California?

California employs approximately 11,229 dietitians and nutritionists across 157 metropolitan areas, based on the latest BLS data. This makes California one of the larger employers of dietitians and nutritionists nationally. Demand continues to grow as the nutrition field expands and the population ages.

Which California city offers the best value for dietitians and nutritionists?

When adjusted for cost of living, San Jose offers the highest purchasing power for dietitians and nutritionists in California, with an adjusted salary of $115,649 (nominal: $127,703, CoL index: 110.423). This means your dollar goes 9% less far compared to the national average, making it important to negotiate higher base pay.

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

Statewide salary 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 each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 dietitian and nutritionist compensation across California. State averages are employment-weighted across 157 metro areas — larger metro areas with more dietitians and nutritionistscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (2019–2025). 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

Last verified: June 10, 2026

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