Dietitian Pay

Alabaster vs Birmingham: Dietitian and Nutritionist Salary (2026)

Compare dietitian and nutritionist salaries between Alabaster, AL and Birmingham, AL. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Alabaster, AL
$66,339
$31.90/hr
Birmingham, AL
$67,764
$32.57/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAlabaster, ALBirmingham, AL
Median Salary$66,339$67,764
Hourly Rate$31.90$32.57
Entry Level (P10)$46,531$55,327
25th Percentile$57,227$64,574
75th Percentile$75,163$80,865
Top Earner (P90)$88,940$90,861
Total Employed8250
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Alabaster ($66,339) and Birmingham ($67,764) dietitian and nutritionist salaries.AlabasterBirminghamMedian Salary$66,339$67,764Entry Level (P10)$46,531$55,327Top Earner (P90)$88,940$90,861US Median $79,380

Verdict

Birmingham, AL offers better overall compensation for dietitians and nutritionists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Alabaster.

The salary gap between Alabaster and Birmingham is $1,425 (2.15%). Birmingham's median is -14.63% compared to the US national median of $79,380.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Alabaster spans $42,409,Birmingham spans $35,534. Alabaster has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Alabaster
P10 (Entry)$46,531
P25$57,227
Median$66,339
P75$75,163
P90 (Top)$88,940
Birmingham
P10 (Entry)$55,327
P25$64,574
Median$67,764
P75$80,865
P90 (Top)$90,861

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Alabaster ($75,471 effective) pays 2.07% more than Birmingham ($73,943 effective).

Alabaster
Nominal: $66,339
CoL Index: 87.9
Adjusted: $75,471
Birmingham
Nominal: $67,764
CoL Index: 91.644
Adjusted: $73,943

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Alabaster if…

  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $75,471)
  • You prefer the Alabama area and lifestyle

Choose Birmingham if…

  • Higher median salary ($67,764/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($90,861)
  • Larger job market (250 employed)
  • You prefer the Alabama area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dietitian and nutritionist salaries in Alabaster grew 29.3% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 25.3% growth in Birmingham over the same period.

Alabaster, AL

+29.3%

$49,399 (2024) → $63,849 (2025)

Birmingham, AL

+25.3%

$52,040 (2019) → $65,220 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dietitian and nutritionists more: Alabaster or Birmingham?

Birmingham has a higher median dietitian and nutritionist salary at $67,764/year, compared to Alabaster at $66,339/year — a difference of $1,425 (2.15%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Alabaster and Birmingham?

Alabaster dietitian and nutritionists earn $31.90/hr while Birmingham hygienists earn $32.57/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Alabaster to Birmingham as a dietitian and nutritionist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Alabaster and Birmingham. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Alabaster = $75,471, Birmingham = $73,943), job availability (8 vs 250 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level dietitian and nutritionists earn in Alabaster vs Birmingham?

Entry-level (10th percentile) dietitian and nutritionists earn $46,531 in Alabaster and $55,327 in Birmingham. The Birmingham area offers higher starting salaries.
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