Dietitian and Nutritionist Salary in Fresno, CA: $97,115 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dietitian and nutritionist in Fresno, CA earns a median $97,115/year (≈ $46.69/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1031). Once you factor in Fresno's price level (2% above national, BEA RPP 102.2), that paycheck buys what $95,064 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.5% below the California state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the dietitian and nutritionist salary in Fresno is projected to reach a median of $97,115, significantly exceeding the national median of $79,380. This notable compensation reflects a local job market that has adapted to the master's-required transition for registered dietitian nutritionists which became effective in 2024, adding value to the profession. Salary ranges indicate a diverse earning potential, stretching from $50,153 at the lower end (P10) up to $115,433 (P90) for those at the top of the field. This data draws upon 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, underscoring the growing career opportunities for dietitians and nutritionists in Fresno, particularly as they adapt to evolving educational requirements and consumer preferences in nutrition services.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $50,153 | $24.12 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $78,715 | $37.84 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $97,115 | $46.69 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $105,708 | $50.82 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $115,433 | $55.50 |
Median Salary Position
22.34% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Fresno
In Fresno, CA, the dietitian and nutritionist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $65,280 (2026 est.). At $97,115, the local median is 22.34% above the national median of $79,380.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Fresno: You'd be above the median
How Fresno Dietitian and Nutritionist Pay Compares
Fresno median: $97,115/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Fresno Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $101,691 | -4.50% less |
| National Average | $79,380 | +22.34% more |
Dietitian and Nutritionists in Fresno, CA earn a median of $97,115 per year (2026 est.), which is 22.34% higher than the national median of $79,380 and 4.50% below the California state average of $101,691.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Fresno has a cost of living 2.16% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Fresno, CA has a cost-of-living index of 102.158 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $97,115 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $95,064 — a 2.11% reduction.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$73,210
2025 BLS Actual
$93,470
2026 Current Est.
$97,115
2019–2027 Growth
+37.8%
Salary Trajectory for Dietitians and Nutritionists in Fresno (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.90% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $73,210 | Actual |
| 2020 | $77,690 | Actual |
| 2021 | $77,200 | Actual |
| 2022 | $79,470 | Actual |
| 2023 | $80,530 | Actual |
| 2024 | $86,580 | Actual |
| 2025 | $93,470 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $97,115 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $100,903 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Fresno metropolitan area, the median dietitian and nutritionist salary grew 27.7% from $73,210 (2019) to $93,470 (2025). At a 3.90% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $100,903 by 2027 — a total increase of $27,693 (37.83%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Fresno 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) | $50,153 – $78,715 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $78,715 – $97,115 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $97,115 – $105,708 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $105,708 – $115,433 |
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 Fresno
With 240 dietitians and nutritionists currently employed in Fresno, the job market remains robust, though it is essential to consider the local cost of living, indexed at 102.158. This index indicates that while salaries may be competitive, purchasing power can be impacted. In Fresno, the highest-paying positions are typically found within hospital clinical nutrition departments and specialized outpatient centers. Factors contributing to the broad salary spectrum include clientele specialization, such as renal or oncology care, as well as strategies like private practice ownership in cash-pay settings, and engaging with corporate wellness programs. To maximize earning potential in Fresno, professionals should focus on gaining specific certifications, branching into business ownership, or aligning with high-demand areas of specialty within dietetics, which can elevate their overall compensation.
More salary data for Fresno, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do dietitians and nutritionists make in Fresno, CA in 2026?
Is Fresno, CA a good place to work as a dietitian and nutritionist?
Can dietitians and nutritionists make $100K in Fresno?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted dietitian and nutritionist salary in Fresno?
How much does a dietitian and nutritionist make per hour in Fresno?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in California
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 $93,470 for dietitians and nutritionistsin the Fresno 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