Dietitian and Nutritionist Salary in Santa Cruz, CA: $107,807 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dietitian and nutritionist in Santa Cruz, CA earns a median $107,807/year (≈ $51.83/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1031). Once you factor in Santa Cruz's price level (10% above national, BEA RPP 109.9), that paycheck buys what $98,099 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.1% above the California state average.
Official BLS data · View source
For those considering a career as a dietitian or nutritionist in Santa Cruz, CA, the financial prospects are promising. The 2026 median annual salary is projected to be $107,807, which reflects a significant increase compared to the national figure of $79,380. Salaries in this profession span a range from $78,725 at the 10th percentile to $131,870 at the 90th percentile, highlighting potential for growth in earnings depending on various factors. This data, derived from official BLS OEWS surveys, indicates a thriving job market in the region, with a notable demand for qualified professionals whose roles are diversified between private practice and hospital employment.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $78,725 | $37.85 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $94,455 | $45.41 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $107,807 | $51.83 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $130,914 | $62.94 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $131,870 | $63.40 |
Median Salary Position
35.81% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Santa Cruz
In Santa Cruz, CA, the dietitian and nutritionist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $53,145 (2026 est.). At $107,807, the local median is 35.81% above the national median of $79,380.
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At 40 hours/week in Santa Cruz: You'd be above the median
How Santa Cruz Dietitian and Nutritionist Pay Compares
Santa Cruz median: $107,807/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Santa Cruz Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $101,609 | +6.10% more |
| National Average | $79,380 | +35.81% more |
Dietitian and Nutritionists in Santa Cruz, CA earn a median of $107,807 per year (2026 est.), which is 35.81% higher than the national median of $79,380 and 6.10% above the California state average of $101,609.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Santa Cruz has a cost of living 9.90% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Santa Cruz, CA has a cost-of-living index of 109.896 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $107,807 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $98,099 — a 9% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$89,290
2025 BLS Actual
$103,760
2026 Current Est.
$107,807
2019–2027 Growth
+25.4%
Salary Trajectory for Dietitians and Nutritionists in Santa Cruz (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.90% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $89,290 | Actual |
| 2020 | $83,820 | Actual |
| 2021 | $82,940 | Actual |
| 2022 | $86,220 | Actual |
| 2023 | $94,720 | Actual |
| 2024 | $97,460 | Actual |
| 2025 | $103,760 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $107,807 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $112,011 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Santa Cruz metropolitan area, the median dietitian and nutritionist salary grew 16.2% from $89,290 (2019) to $103,760 (2025). At a 3.90% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $112,011 by 2027 — a total increase of $22,721 (25.45%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Santa Cruz 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $78,725 – $94,455 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $94,455 – $107,807 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $107,807 – $130,914 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $130,914 – $131,870 |
DN salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dietitian and nutritionist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dietitian and Nutritionist Job Market in Santa Cruz
With 40 dietitians and nutritionists currently employed in Santa Cruz, the local job market showcases solid opportunities despite the city's relatively high cost of living, with a CoL index of 109.896. This higher-than-average index can influence the take-home pay and purchasing power of these professionals. Among employers, private practice in cash-pay settings can yield the highest salaries, especially for those specializing in areas like sports nutrition or behavioral approaches such as intuitive eating. Additionally, long-term care facilities and outpatient clinics are competitive in terms of pay. The wide salary range is driven by specialty areas, the business model chosen, and varying employer settings—from public health clinics to corporate wellness programs. For those looking to maximize their earnings, honing specialized skills and exploring cash-pay options may provide the best paths forward in the Santa Cruz market.
More salary data for Santa Cruz, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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
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. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $103,760 for dietitians and nutritionistsin the Santa Cruz metropolitan area. A 3.90% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
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