Dietitians and Nutritionists Salary in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA
The median pay for a dietitians and nutritionists in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA is $97,460/year ($46.86/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $54K at the entry level to $122K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 109.9), so that salary is closer to $88,681 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $4,214/month — about 68.9% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $97K get you in Santa Cruz-Watsonville?
About dietitians and nutritionists
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA
Entry-level dietitians and nutritionists (10th percentile) start around $54K. Mid-career wages sit at $97K.Top earners bring in $122K or more - a $68K spread from bottom to top.
Dietitians and Nutritionists pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | $94K | +27% | 9,630 |
| Oregon | $85K | +15% | 630 |
| Hawaii | $82K | +11% | 300 |
| Washington | $81K | +10% | 1,370 |
| Alaska | $81K | +10% | 110 |
| Massachusetts | $81K | +9% | 2,390 |
| Connecticut | $80K | +8% | 840 |
| New York | $79K | +7% | 5,500 |
| Maryland | $78K | +6% | 1,160 |
| New Jersey | $78K | +6% | 2,450 |
| District of Columbia | $77K | +4% | 260 |
| Rhode Island | $77K | +4% | 310 |
| Vermont | $76K | +3% | 160 |
| Minnesota | $76K | +2% | 1,330 |
| Virginia | $75K | +2% | 1,440 |
Track dietitians and nutritionists salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Santa Cruz-Watsonville numbers change.
Related careers in Healthcare
Frequently asked questions
How much do dietitians and nutritionists make in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA?
The median is $97,460 a year - that works out to about $46.86 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $53,930, and experienced dietitians and nutritionists can clear $121,740. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $97K enough to live in Santa Cruz-Watsonville?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $5,979/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $4,214/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 70.5% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb - housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a dietitians and nutritionists salary go in Santa Cruz-Watsonville?
Santa Cruz-Watsonville has a Regional Price Parity of 109.9 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median dietitians and nutritionists salary is worth about $88,681 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do dietitians and nutritionists get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.