Salary distribution
Where San Diego dietitians and nutritionists fall on the wage curve.
Shaded band = interquartile range (where most full-time workers fall)
The middle 50% of workers earn between $78,430 and $105,510, with a median of $96,300.
Typical entry
Education
Bachelor's degree
Experience
Internship/residency
On-the-job training
Internship/residency
Top skills (O*NET)
- 4.4 / 5
Biology
Knowledge
- 4.3 / 5
Medicine and Dentistry
Knowledge
- 4.1 / 5
English Language
Knowledge
- 4.1 / 5
Therapy and Counseling
Knowledge
- 4.0 / 5
Speaking
Basic skill
- 4.0 / 5
Reading Comprehension
Basic skill
- 4.0 / 5
Critical Thinking
Cross-functional
- 4.0 / 5
Judgment and Decision Making
Technical
Common tasks (O*NET)
- 01
Assess nutritional needs, diet restrictions, and current health plans to develop and implement dietary-care plans and provide nutritional counseling.
- 02
Evaluate laboratory tests in preparing nutrition recommendations.
- 03
Counsel individuals and groups on basic rules of good nutrition, healthy eating habits, and nutrition monitoring to improve their quality of life.
- 04
Advise patients and their families on nutritional principles, dietary plans, diet modifications, and food selection and preparation.
- 05
Incorporate patient cultural, ethnic, or religious preferences and needs in the development of nutrition plans.
- 06
Consult with physicians and health care personnel to determine nutritional needs and diet restrictions of patient or client.
- 07
Record and evaluate patient and family health and food history, including symptoms, environmental toxic exposure, allergies, medication factors, and preventive health-care measures.
- 08
Develop recipes and menus to address special nutrition needs, such as low glycemic, low histamine, or gluten- or allergen-free.
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Explore coursesOther metros in California
How the San Diego metro compares to other major California metro areas for dietitians and nutritionists.
- San Jose$106,520
- San Francisco$101,820
- Sacramento$100,580
- Los Angeles$92,930
- Riverside$89,390
Frequently asked questions
- What is the median salary for Dietitians and Nutritionists in San Diego, California?
- According to BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, the median annual wage for Dietitians and Nutritionists in the San Diego metropolitan area is $96,300.
- Does San Diego pay more than the California state average for Dietitians and Nutritionists?
- The San Diego metro median is +2.8% versus the California state median of $93,640.
- How does San Diego compare to the national median for Dietitians and Nutritionists?
- The San Diego metro median is +30.9% versus the BLS national figure of $73,584.
- What is the salary range for Dietitians and Nutritionists in San Diego?
- BLS reports the 10th-percentile annual wage at $64,770 and the 90th-percentile at $125,440 for the San Diego metro area.
- What education is required for Dietitians and Nutritionists?
- BLS lists the typical entry-level education as Bachelor's degree. Many employers also weigh prior experience and credentials.
Information on this page is for general educational purposes only. It is not career, financial, or tax advice. BLS metro estimates reflect the San Diego CBSA boundary for the reference year shown and may not match individual offers, employer-specific ranges, or current market conditions. Confirm with a licensed professional before making career or compensation decisions.