Dietitian Pay

Atlanta vs Albany: Dietitian and Nutritionist Salary (2026)

Compare dietitian and nutritionist salaries between Atlanta, GA and Albany, GA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Atlanta, GA
$80,741
$38.82/hr
Albany, GA
$74,673
$35.90/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAtlanta, GAAlbany, GA
Median Salary$80,741$74,673
Hourly Rate$38.82$35.90
Entry Level (P10)$55,961$50,724
25th Percentile$67,608$63,660
75th Percentile$88,367$86,746
Top Earner (P90)$101,219$105,936
Total Employed1,05050
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Atlanta ($80,741) and Albany ($74,673) dietitian and nutritionist salaries.AtlantaAlbanyMedian Salary$80,741$74,673Entry Level (P10)$55,961$50,724Top Earner (P90)$101,219$105,936US Median $79,380

Verdict

Atlanta, GA offers better overall compensation for dietitians and nutritionists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Albany.

The salary gap between Atlanta and Albany is $6,068 (8.13%). Atlanta's median is +1.71% compared to the US national median of $79,380.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Atlanta spans $45,258,Albany spans $55,212. Albany has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced dietitian and nutritionists.

Atlanta
P10 (Entry)$55,961
P25$67,608
Median$80,741
P75$88,367
P90 (Top)$101,219
Albany
P10 (Entry)$50,724
P25$63,660
Median$74,673
P75$86,746
P90 (Top)$105,936

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Albany ($85,176 effective) pays 5.55% more than Atlanta ($80,694 effective).

Atlanta
Nominal: $80,741
CoL Index: 100.058
Adjusted: $80,694
Albany
Nominal: $74,673
CoL Index: 87.669
Adjusted: $85,176

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Atlanta if…

  • Higher median salary ($80,741/year)
  • Larger job market (1,050 employed)
  • You prefer the Georgia area and lifestyle

Choose Albany if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($105,936)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $85,176)
  • You prefer the Georgia area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dietitian and nutritionist salaries in Atlanta grew 44.2% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 19.3% growth in Albany over the same period.

Atlanta, GA

+44.2%

$53,880 (2019) → $77,710 (2025)

Albany, GA

+19.3%

$60,250 (2019) → $71,870 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dietitian and nutritionists more: Atlanta or Albany?

Atlanta has a higher median dietitian and nutritionist salary at $80,741/year, compared to Albany at $74,673/year — a difference of $6,068 (8.13%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Atlanta and Albany?

Atlanta dietitian and nutritionists earn $38.82/hr while Albany hygienists earn $35.90/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Atlanta to Albany as a dietitian and nutritionist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Atlanta and Albany. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Atlanta = $80,694, Albany = $85,176), job availability (1,050 vs 50 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level dietitian and nutritionists earn in Atlanta vs Albany?

Entry-level (10th percentile) dietitian and nutritionists earn $55,961 in Atlanta and $50,724 in Albany. The Atlanta 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