Dietitians and Nutritionists salary in California
Dietitians and Nutritionists in California earn a median of $98,850 a year ($47.52 an hour), based on BLS data for 8,720 workers.
Pay ranges from $72,780 for the lowest-paid 10% to $130,850 for the top 10%. That is 29% higher than the national median of $76,400. California ranks 1st of 51 states for dietitians and nutritionists pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.48 dietitians and nutritionists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $98,780, close to the median.
Pay range for dietitians and nutritionists in California
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $72,780 | $34.99 |
| 25th percentile | $83,270 | $40.03 |
| Median | $98,850 | $47.52 |
| 75th percentile | $110,660 | $53.20 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $130,850 | $62.91 |
| Average (mean) | $98,780 | $47.49 |
Half of dietitians and nutritionists earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $8,237.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,118.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,801.92 |
| Weekly | $1,900.96 |
| Hourly | $47.52 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $98,850 salary, see how much house you can afford in California at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Dietitians and Nutritionists salary in cities in California
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $122,910 | 610 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $117,380 | 1,210 |
| Vallejo, CA | $111,430 | 100 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | $103,760 | 40 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $102,580 | 550 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | $102,060 | 100 |
| Salinas, CA | $101,640 | 60 |
| Napa, CA | $101,050 | 40 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $99,720 | 110 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $98,870 | 620 |
| Modesto, CA | $97,830 | 100 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA | $97,350 | 70 |
| Visalia, CA | $96,880 | 60 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $95,450 | 3,060 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $95,280 | 710 |
| Chico, CA | $93,900 | 40 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $93,860 | 150 |
| Fresno, CA | $93,470 | 240 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | $93,010 | 150 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $90,760 | 110 |
| Redding, CA | $90,520 | 50 |
Highest-paying states for dietitians and nutritionists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $98,850 |
| West Virginia | $89,440 |
| Alaska | $87,980 |
| New Jersey | $84,450 |
| Washington | $84,220 |
| Oregon | $84,180 |
| New York | $82,480 |
| District of Columbia | $82,150 |
| Hawaii | $81,920 |
| Connecticut | $80,600 |
Related jobs in California
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $140,270 | $67.44 |
| Pharmacist | $164,610 | $79.14 |
| Physical Therapist | $124,190 | $59.71 |
| Physicians, All Other | $281,590 | $135.38 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $168,520 | $81.02 |
| Dental Hygienist | $124,930 | $60.06 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $104,820 | $50.40 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $118,970 | $57.20 |
| Dentists, General | $165,950 | $79.79 |
| Occupational Therapist | $124,510 | $59.86 |
| Physician Assistant | $165,650 | $79.64 |
| Veterinarian | $163,920 | $78.81 |
| Optometrist | $136,300 | $65.53 |
| Pediatricians, General | $214,140 | $102.95 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in California
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 29-1031. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a dietitians and nutritionists make in California?
The median salary for dietitians and nutritionists in California is $98,850 a year, or $47.52 an hour. Pay ranges from $72,780 for the lowest-paid 10% to $130,850 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid dietitians and nutritionists make in California?
The top 10% of dietitians and nutritionists in California earn at least $130,850 a year. The top 25% earn $110,660 or more.
What is the starting pay for dietitians and nutritionists in California?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $72,780 a year, and a quarter of dietitians and nutritionists earn $83,270 or less.
How many dietitians and nutritionists work in California?
About 8,720 dietitians and nutritionists are employed in California, not counting the self-employed.