Dietitian Pay

Alamogordo vs Albuquerque: Dietitian and Nutritionist Salary (2026)

Compare dietitian and nutritionist salaries between Alamogordo, NM and Albuquerque, NM. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Alamogordo, NM
$72,905
$35.05/hr
Albuquerque, NM
$78,538
$37.76/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAlamogordo, NMAlbuquerque, NM
Median Salary$72,905$78,538
Hourly Rate$35.05$37.76
Entry Level (P10)$45,922$56,200
25th Percentile$61,632$69,675
75th Percentile$85,690$81,821
Top Earner (P90)$98,320$94,352
Total Employed8250
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Alamogordo ($72,905) and Albuquerque ($78,538) dietitian and nutritionist salaries.AlamogordoAlbuquerqueMedian Salary$72,905$78,538Entry Level (P10)$45,922$56,200Top Earner (P90)$98,320$94,352US Median $79,380

Verdict

Albuquerque, NM offers better overall compensation for dietitians and nutritionists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Alamogordo.

The salary gap between Alamogordo and Albuquerque is $5,633 (7.73%). Albuquerque's median is -1.06% compared to the US national median of $79,380.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Alamogordo spans $52,398,Albuquerque spans $38,152. Alamogordo has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Alamogordo
P10 (Entry)$45,922
P25$61,632
Median$72,905
P75$85,690
P90 (Top)$98,320
Albuquerque
P10 (Entry)$56,200
P25$69,675
Median$78,538
P75$81,821
P90 (Top)$94,352

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Albuquerque ($82,199 effective) pays 6.43% more than Alamogordo ($77,230 effective).

Alamogordo
Nominal: $72,905
CoL Index: 94.4
Adjusted: $77,230
Albuquerque
Nominal: $78,538
CoL Index: 95.546
Adjusted: $82,199

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Alamogordo if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($98,320)
  • You prefer the New Mexico area and lifestyle

Choose Albuquerque if…

  • Higher median salary ($78,538/year)
  • Larger job market (250 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $82,199)
  • You prefer the New Mexico area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dietitian and nutritionist salaries in Alamogordo grew 15.8% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 26.0% growth in Albuquerque over the same period.

Alamogordo, NM

+15.8%

$60,616 (2024) → $70,168 (2025)

Albuquerque, NM

+26.0%

$60,000 (2019) → $75,590 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dietitian and nutritionists more: Alamogordo or Albuquerque?

Albuquerque has a higher median dietitian and nutritionist salary at $78,538/year, compared to Alamogordo at $72,905/year — a difference of $5,633 (7.73%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Alamogordo and Albuquerque?

Alamogordo dietitian and nutritionists earn $35.05/hr while Albuquerque hygienists earn $37.76/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Alamogordo to Albuquerque as a dietitian and nutritionist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Alamogordo and Albuquerque. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Alamogordo = $77,230, Albuquerque = $82,199), job availability (8 vs 250 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level dietitian and nutritionists earn in Alamogordo vs Albuquerque?

Entry-level (10th percentile) dietitian and nutritionists earn $45,922 in Alamogordo and $56,200 in Albuquerque. The Albuquerque 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