Per diemPosted today
Clinical Dietitian I
CommonSpirit Health · Oxnard, CA
$39.18–$58.28/ hour
New this week
Registered Dietitian jobs in Merced, CA
The median registered dietitian pay in California is $45.02 per hour ($93,640 a year), with the typical range running from $37.62 to $50.84. That is 27% above the U.S. median of $35.50 per hour. The CMS hospital directory lists 1 hospital in Merced. The free report below lists employers near Merced and what they pay.
- $45.02median pay per hour, California
- $38–$51typical range per hour
- 98cost of living index (U.S. = 100)
Registered Dietitian pay in Merced, CA
Nationally the median is $35.50 per hour. BLS counts about 9,630 dietitians and nutritionists employed in California.
| Level | Per hour | Per year | Compared with U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lowest 10% | $30.93 | $64,330 | 13% below U.S. median |
| Lower quartile | $37.62 | $78,250 | 6% above U.S. median |
| Median | $45.02 | $93,640 | 27% above U.S. median |
| Upper quartile | $50.84 | $105,750 | 43% above U.S. median |
| Top 10% | $61.28 | $127,460 | 73% above U.S. median |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024, Dietitians and Nutritionists (SOC 29-1031), all industries. This is what employers report paying, not an offer for a specific role.
What your pay buys in Merced
- Overall prices in Merced run 2% below the U.S. average (index 98.3, U.S. = 100).
- Housing is the biggest driver: 21% below the U.S. average (index 78.6).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024. Prices are for the metro area, not for a single neighborhood.
Get the Merced Registered Dietitian pay report
Named employers near Merced, what they pay and the roles open now. Free for candidates, email only.
Get my free pay reportEstimate your Merced paycheck
Estimated weekly gross$1,621
- Per year: $81,036
- Per month: $6,753
Gross pay before taxes and benefits, from BLS pay levels for California. For take-home pay use the take-home pay calculator.
Travel assignment per diem in Merced
| Item | Federal rate |
|---|---|
| Lodging per night | $110 |
| Meals and incidentals per day | $68 |
| Per week (7 nights, 7 days) | $1,246 |
| 13-week assignment | $16,198 |
Travel registered dietitian assignments commonly pay housing and meals stipends. The GSA per diem is the federal benchmark for what those stipends can be tax-free (this is the standard rate that applies here). Whether a stipend is tax-free for you depends on keeping a valid tax home, so confirm with your recruiter and a tax professional. Compare with your offer in the travel pay calculator.
Source: U.S. General Services Administration per diem rates, fiscal year 2026 (average across months).
Open Registered Dietitian roles in California
Nearest open roles with published pay. Your free report adds roles in Merced as they open.
PermanentPosted yesterday
Clinical Dietitian - Oncology
Montage Health · Monterey, CA
$47.73–$63.84/ hour
Top 25% payNew this week
For youUpdated weekly
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PermanentPosted yesterday
Clinical Dietitian
Central Maine Healthcare Corporation · Anaheim, CA
$42.00–$42.00/ hour
New this week
PermanentPosted 2 days ago
Clin Registered Dietitian I - PD - Days - Nutrition Services @ MV
El Camino Health · Mountain View, CA
$54.06–$71.87/ hour
Top 25% payNew this week
PermanentPosted 2 days ago
Clinical Dietitian
CommonSpirit Health · San Bernardino, CA
$39.18–$58.28/ hour
New this week
PermanentPosted 2 days ago
Clinical Dietitian
Central Maine Healthcare Corporation · Lynwood, CA
$33.60–$45.22/ hour
New this week
Hospitals in Merced
CMS lists 1 hospital in Merced, 0 of the 1 rated ones with 4 or 5 stars. Hospitals are a major employer of registered dietitians.
| Hospital | Type | Ownership | CMS rating | Emergency |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mercy Medical Center Merced, CA | Acute care | Nonprofit | 3 of 5 | Yes |
Source: CMS Hospital General Information, public data. A directory of hospitals, not a list of our clients.
Registered Dietitian pay in nearby cities
| City | Distance | Median pay | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| Turlock, CA | 25 mi | $47.83/hr | 72,888 |
| Madera, CA | 32 mi | $41.63/hr | 69,094 |
| Modesto, CA | 37 mi | $47.83/hr | 220,592 |
| Fresno, CA | 52 mi | $41.63/hr | 550,105 |
| Manteca, CA | 53 mi | $43.06/hr | 94,292 |
| Clovis, CA | 55 mi | $41.63/hr | 127,993 |
Registered Dietitian jobs in California · Registered Dietitian jobs nationwide
License and tax basics in California
RD credential from the CDR. Credentials are issued state by state, so confirm what California requires for your role with the California licensing board and with your recruiter before you commit to a start date.
California taxes wage income. Use your own rates in the take-home pay calculator.
Other healthcare roles in Merced
Merced city guide: hospitals, employers and licensing
Common questions
How much do registered dietitians make in Merced, CA?
Registered Dietitians in California have a median pay of $45.02 per hour, about $93,640 a year. The middle half earn between $37.62 and $50.84 per hour (BLS, May 2024).
Where do registered dietitians work in Merced?
CMS lists 1 hospital in Merced, led by Mercy Medical Center. Ask for the free report to see current openings and pay.
Do I need a California license to work in Merced as a registered dietitian?
RD credential from the CDR. Credentials are issued state by state, so confirm what California requires for your role with the California licensing board and with your recruiter before you commit to a start date. Confirm with the board before you accept a role.
What is the per diem for a travel assignment in Merced?
The federal per diem benchmark in Merced is $110 a night for lodging and $68 a day for meals and incidentals, about $1,246 a week (GSA, fiscal year 2026). Your actual stipend depends on the assignment and your tax home.
Does Valorem Health place registered dietitians in Merced?
Yes. We place healthcare staff in Merced and across California. Tell us your profession and we email the roles open near Merced.
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What do employers near Merced pay registered dietitians? Get the report.
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- 1Pay for your role at other hospitals
The hourly pay at named employers near you, so you see who pays most.
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The pay range and median across current postings, and how many were posted this month.
- 3Roles open for you right now
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Valorem Health Shift ReportFrom your recruiting team · [email protected]
Your Dietitian pay reportMerced, CA · pay published by employers and employer-reported wage offers in federal filings
1Pay for your role at other employers
- Montage HealthMonterey, CA · 2 postings$59.70/ hr$48–$73
- CommonSpirit HealthSTOCKTON, CA · 8 postings$49.30/ hr$39–$64
- Emanate HealthWest Covina, CA · 3 postings$42.76/ hr$34–$62
- Laguna Beach Community Clinic, Inc.Laguna Beach, CA · 2 wage offers$42.31/ hr$33–$47
Median pay per hour, with the range each employer published or reported in federal filings.
2What they are offering now
Low$35Median$47.65High$60
31 Dietitian postings with published pay in California, 25 of them posted in the last 30 days. Month-by-month history by employer comes with your full report.
3Open now: 31 Dietitian roles
- Clinical Dietitian IPer diem$39.18–$58.28/ hour
- Clinical Dietitian - OncologyPermanent$47.73–$63.84/ hour
+ 29 more in your report. Each one has pay, shift and start date.
I'm interestedOne click. A recruiter writes only after you reply.