Dietitian Pay

Augusta vs Valdosta: Dietitian and Nutritionist Salary (2026)

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

Augusta, GA
$76,138
$36.60/hr
Valdosta, GA
$71,617
$34.43/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAugusta, GAValdosta, GA
Median Salary$76,138$71,617
Hourly Rate$36.60$34.43
Entry Level (P10)$60,397$48,790
25th Percentile$66,631$60,674
75th Percentile$85,156$85,057
Top Earner (P90)$98,206$98,516
Total Employed16010
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Augusta ($76,138) and Valdosta ($71,617) dietitian and nutritionist salaries.AugustaValdostaMedian Salary$76,138$71,617Entry Level (P10)$60,397$48,790Top Earner (P90)$98,206$98,516US Median $79,380

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Augusta and Valdosta is $4,521 (6.31%). Augusta's median is -4.08% compared to the US national median of $79,380.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Augusta spans $37,809,Valdosta spans $49,726. Valdosta has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced dietitian and nutritionists.

Augusta
P10 (Entry)$60,397
P25$66,631
Median$76,138
P75$85,156
P90 (Top)$98,206
Valdosta
P10 (Entry)$48,790
P25$60,674
Median$71,617
P75$85,057
P90 (Top)$98,516

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Augusta ($82,846 effective) pays 7.70% more than Valdosta ($76,925 effective).

Augusta
Nominal: $76,138
CoL Index: 91.903
Adjusted: $82,846
Valdosta
Nominal: $71,617
CoL Index: 93.1
Adjusted: $76,925

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Augusta if…

  • Higher median salary ($76,138/year)
  • Larger job market (160 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $82,846)
  • You prefer the Georgia area and lifestyle

Choose Valdosta if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($98,516)
  • You prefer the Georgia area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dietitian and nutritionist salaries in Augusta grew 25.3% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 67.1% growth in Valdosta over the same period.

Augusta, GA

+25.3%

$58,500 (2019) → $73,280 (2025)

Valdosta, GA

+67.1%

$41,250 (2019) → $68,929 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dietitian and nutritionists more: Augusta or Valdosta?

Augusta has a higher median dietitian and nutritionist salary at $76,138/year, compared to Valdosta at $71,617/year — a difference of $4,521 (6.31%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Augusta and Valdosta?

Augusta dietitian and nutritionists earn $36.60/hr while Valdosta hygienists earn $34.43/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Augusta to Valdosta as a dietitian and nutritionist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Augusta and Valdosta. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Augusta = $82,846, Valdosta = $76,925), job availability (160 vs 10 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level dietitian and nutritionists earn in Augusta vs Valdosta?

Entry-level (10th percentile) dietitian and nutritionists earn $60,397 in Augusta and $48,790 in Valdosta. The Augusta 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