Dietitian Pay

Addison vs Chicago: Dietitian and Nutritionist Salary (2026)

Compare dietitian and nutritionist salaries between Addison, IL and Chicago, IL. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Addison, IL
$65,228
$31.36/hr
Chicago, IL
$76,429
$36.74/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAddison, ILChicago, IL
Median Salary$65,228$76,429
Hourly Rate$31.36$36.74
Entry Level (P10)$42,826$50,953
25th Percentile$53,903$66,891
75th Percentile$75,466$84,814
Top Earner (P90)$85,993$95,359
Total Employed62,030
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Addison ($65,228) and Chicago ($76,429) dietitian and nutritionist salaries.AddisonChicagoMedian Salary$65,228$76,429Entry Level (P10)$42,826$50,953Top Earner (P90)$85,993$95,359US Median $79,380

Verdict

Chicago, IL offers better overall compensation for dietitians and nutritionists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Addison.

The salary gap between Addison and Chicago is $11,201 (17.17%). Chicago's median is -3.72% compared to the US national median of $79,380.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Addison spans $43,167,Chicago spans $44,406. Chicago has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced dietitian and nutritionists.

Addison
P10 (Entry)$42,826
P25$53,903
Median$65,228
P75$75,466
P90 (Top)$85,993
Chicago
P10 (Entry)$50,953
P25$66,891
Median$76,429
P75$84,814
P90 (Top)$95,359

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Chicago ($73,777 effective) pays 9.83% more than Addison ($67,176 effective).

Addison
Nominal: $65,228
CoL Index: 97.1
Adjusted: $67,176
Chicago
Nominal: $76,429
CoL Index: 103.595
Adjusted: $73,777

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Addison if…

  • You prefer the Illinois area and lifestyle

Choose Chicago if…

  • Higher median salary ($76,429/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($95,359)
  • Larger job market (2,030 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $73,777)
  • You prefer the Illinois area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dietitian and nutritionist salaries in Addison grew -3.8% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 21.4% growth in Chicago over the same period.

Addison, IL

+-3.8%

$65,274 (2024) → $62,780 (2025)

Chicago, IL

+21.4%

$60,600 (2019) → $73,560 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dietitian and nutritionists more: Addison or Chicago?

Chicago has a higher median dietitian and nutritionist salary at $76,429/year, compared to Addison at $65,228/year — a difference of $11,201 (17.17%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Addison and Chicago?

Addison dietitian and nutritionists earn $31.36/hr while Chicago hygienists earn $36.74/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Addison to Chicago as a dietitian and nutritionist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Addison and Chicago. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Addison = $67,176, Chicago = $73,777), job availability (6 vs 2,030 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level dietitian and nutritionists earn in Addison vs Chicago?

Entry-level (10th percentile) dietitian and nutritionists earn $42,826 in Addison and $50,953 in Chicago. The Chicago area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

AP

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.

Clinically reviewed by Carlos Gomez, RDNData verified by Emily Chen, MS, RDN

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 3.90% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

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