Dietitian Pay

Auburn vs Huntsville: Dietitian and Nutritionist Salary (2026)

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

Auburn, AL
$64,179
$30.86/hr
Huntsville, AL
$71,691
$34.46/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAuburn, ALHuntsville, AL
Median Salary$64,179$71,691
Hourly Rate$30.86$34.46
Entry Level (P10)$32,251$52,521
25th Percentile$60,366$63,660
75th Percentile$77,915$79,868
Top Earner (P90)$92,170$83,660
Total Employed3090
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Auburn ($64,179) and Huntsville ($71,691) dietitian and nutritionist salaries.AuburnHuntsvilleMedian Salary$64,179$71,691Entry Level (P10)$32,251$52,521Top Earner (P90)$92,170$83,660US Median $79,380

Verdict

Huntsville, AL offers better overall compensation for dietitians and nutritionists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Auburn.

The salary gap between Auburn and Huntsville is $7,512 (11.70%). Huntsville's median is -9.69% compared to the US national median of $79,380.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Auburn spans $59,919,Huntsville spans $31,139. Auburn has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Auburn
P10 (Entry)$32,251
P25$60,366
Median$64,179
P75$77,915
P90 (Top)$92,170
Huntsville
P10 (Entry)$52,521
P25$63,660
Median$71,691
P75$79,868
P90 (Top)$83,660

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Huntsville ($77,027 effective) pays 5.54% more than Auburn ($72,986 effective).

Auburn
Nominal: $64,179
CoL Index: 87.933
Adjusted: $72,986
Huntsville
Nominal: $71,691
CoL Index: 93.072
Adjusted: $77,027

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Auburn if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($92,170)
  • You prefer the Alabama area and lifestyle

Choose Huntsville if…

  • Higher median salary ($71,691/year)
  • Larger job market (90 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $77,027)
  • You prefer the Alabama area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dietitian and nutritionist salaries in Auburn grew -14.9% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 15.6% growth in Huntsville over the same period.

Auburn, AL

+-14.9%

$72,550 (2024) → $61,770 (2025)

Huntsville, AL

+15.6%

$59,670 (2019) → $69,000 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dietitian and nutritionists more: Auburn or Huntsville?

Huntsville has a higher median dietitian and nutritionist salary at $71,691/year, compared to Auburn at $64,179/year — a difference of $7,512 (11.70%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Auburn and Huntsville?

Auburn dietitian and nutritionists earn $30.86/hr while Huntsville hygienists earn $34.46/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Auburn to Huntsville as a dietitian and nutritionist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Auburn and Huntsville. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Auburn = $72,986, Huntsville = $77,027), job availability (30 vs 90 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level dietitian and nutritionists earn in Auburn vs Huntsville?

Entry-level (10th percentile) dietitian and nutritionists earn $32,251 in Auburn and $52,521 in Huntsville. The Huntsville 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