Dietitian Pay

Allentown vs Philadelphia: Dietitian and Nutritionist Salary (2026)

Compare dietitian and nutritionist salaries between Allentown, PA and Philadelphia, PA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Allentown, PA
$68,522
$32.95/hr
Philadelphia, PA
$77,780
$37.39/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAllentown, PAPhiladelphia, PA
Median Salary$68,522$77,780
Hourly Rate$32.95$37.39
Entry Level (P10)$43,534$50,184
25th Percentile$53,675$64,657
75th Percentile$82,216$92,523
Top Earner (P90)$93,261$102,061
Total Employed3102,150
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Allentown ($68,522) and Philadelphia ($77,780) dietitian and nutritionist salaries.AllentownPhiladelphiaMedian Salary$68,522$77,780Entry Level (P10)$43,534$50,184Top Earner (P90)$93,261$102,061US Median $79,380

Verdict

Philadelphia, PA offers better overall compensation for dietitians and nutritionists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Allentown.

The salary gap between Allentown and Philadelphia is $9,258 (13.51%). Philadelphia's median is -2.02% compared to the US national median of $79,380.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Allentown spans $49,727,Philadelphia spans $51,877. Philadelphia has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced dietitian and nutritionists.

Allentown
P10 (Entry)$43,534
P25$53,675
Median$68,522
P75$82,216
P90 (Top)$93,261
Philadelphia
P10 (Entry)$50,184
P25$64,657
Median$77,780
P75$92,523
P90 (Top)$102,061

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Philadelphia ($75,843 effective) pays 10.65% more than Allentown ($68,544 effective).

Allentown
Nominal: $68,522
CoL Index: 99.968
Adjusted: $68,544
Philadelphia
Nominal: $77,780
CoL Index: 102.554
Adjusted: $75,843

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Allentown if…

  • You prefer the Pennsylvania area and lifestyle

Choose Philadelphia if…

  • Higher median salary ($77,780/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($102,061)
  • Larger job market (2,150 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $75,843)
  • You prefer the Pennsylvania area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dietitian and nutritionist salaries in Allentown grew 7.9% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 12.1% growth in Philadelphia over the same period.

Allentown, PA

+7.9%

$61,120 (2019) → $65,950 (2025)

Philadelphia, PA

+12.1%

$66,770 (2019) → $74,860 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dietitian and nutritionists more: Allentown or Philadelphia?

Philadelphia has a higher median dietitian and nutritionist salary at $77,780/year, compared to Allentown at $68,522/year — a difference of $9,258 (13.51%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Allentown and Philadelphia?

Allentown dietitian and nutritionists earn $32.95/hr while Philadelphia hygienists earn $37.39/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Allentown to Philadelphia as a dietitian and nutritionist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Allentown and Philadelphia. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Allentown = $68,544, Philadelphia = $75,843), job availability (310 vs 2,150 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level dietitian and nutritionists earn in Allentown vs Philadelphia?

Entry-level (10th percentile) dietitian and nutritionists earn $43,534 in Allentown and $50,184 in Philadelphia. The Philadelphia 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