Dietitian Pay

Anderson vs Fort Wayne: Dietitian and Nutritionist Salary (2026)

Compare dietitian and nutritionist salaries between Anderson, IN and Fort Wayne, IN. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Anderson, IN
$68,307
$32.84/hr
Fort Wayne, IN
$78,922
$37.94/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAnderson, INFort Wayne, IN
Median Salary$68,307$78,922
Hourly Rate$32.84$37.94
Entry Level (P10)$45,485$54,496
25th Percentile$57,084$65,945
75th Percentile$81,729$82,569
Top Earner (P90)$95,318$101,718
Total Employed11170
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Anderson ($68,307) and Fort Wayne ($78,922) dietitian and nutritionist salaries.AndersonFort WayneMedian Salary$68,307$78,922Entry Level (P10)$45,485$54,496Top Earner (P90)$95,318$101,718US Median $79,380

Verdict

Fort Wayne, IN offers better overall compensation for dietitians and nutritionists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Anderson.

The salary gap between Anderson and Fort Wayne is $10,615 (15.54%). Fort Wayne's median is -0.58% compared to the US national median of $79,380.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Anderson spans $49,833,Fort Wayne spans $47,222. Anderson has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Anderson
P10 (Entry)$45,485
P25$57,084
Median$68,307
P75$81,729
P90 (Top)$95,318
Fort Wayne
P10 (Entry)$54,496
P25$65,945
Median$78,922
P75$82,569
P90 (Top)$101,718

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Fort Wayne ($85,255 effective) pays 13.95% more than Anderson ($74,816 effective).

Anderson
Nominal: $68,307
CoL Index: 91.3
Adjusted: $74,816
Fort Wayne
Nominal: $78,922
CoL Index: 92.572
Adjusted: $85,255

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Anderson if…

  • You prefer the Indiana area and lifestyle

Choose Fort Wayne if…

  • Higher median salary ($78,922/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($101,718)
  • Larger job market (170 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $85,255)
  • You prefer the Indiana area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dietitian and nutritionist salaries in Anderson grew 18.8% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 38.4% growth in Fort Wayne over the same period.

Anderson, IN

+18.8%

$55,329 (2024) → $65,743 (2025)

Fort Wayne, IN

+38.4%

$54,900 (2019) → $75,960 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dietitian and nutritionists more: Anderson or Fort Wayne?

Fort Wayne has a higher median dietitian and nutritionist salary at $78,922/year, compared to Anderson at $68,307/year — a difference of $10,615 (15.54%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Anderson and Fort Wayne?

Anderson dietitian and nutritionists earn $32.84/hr while Fort Wayne hygienists earn $37.94/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Anderson to Fort Wayne as a dietitian and nutritionist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Anderson and Fort Wayne. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Anderson = $74,816, Fort Wayne = $85,255), job availability (11 vs 170 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level dietitian and nutritionists earn in Anderson vs Fort Wayne?

Entry-level (10th percentile) dietitian and nutritionists earn $45,485 in Anderson and $54,496 in Fort Wayne. The Fort Wayne 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