Dietitian Pay

Aurora vs Boulder: Dietitian and Nutritionist Salary (2026)

Compare dietitian and nutritionist salaries between Aurora, CO and Boulder, CO. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Aurora, CO
$76,244
$36.66/hr
Boulder, CO
$77,852
$37.42/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAurora, COBoulder, CO
Median Salary$76,244$77,852
Hourly Rate$36.66$37.42
Entry Level (P10)$47,275$40,937
25th Percentile$61,352$67,254
75th Percentile$90,898$95,069
Top Earner (P90)$107,307$106,362
Total Employed5480
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Aurora ($76,244) and Boulder ($77,852) dietitian and nutritionist salaries.AuroraBoulderMedian Salary$76,244$77,852Entry Level (P10)$47,275$40,937Top Earner (P90)$107,307$106,362US Median $79,380

Verdict

Boulder, CO offers better overall compensation for dietitians and nutritionists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Aurora.

The salary gap between Aurora and Boulder is $1,608 (2.11%). Boulder's median is -1.92% compared to the US national median of $79,380.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Aurora spans $60,032,Boulder spans $65,425. Boulder has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced dietitian and nutritionists.

Aurora
P10 (Entry)$47,275
P25$61,352
Median$76,244
P75$90,898
P90 (Top)$107,307
Boulder
P10 (Entry)$40,937
P25$67,254
Median$77,852
P75$95,069
P90 (Top)$106,362

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Boulder ($74,002 effective) pays 1.91% more than Aurora ($72,613 effective).

Aurora
Nominal: $76,244
CoL Index: 105
Adjusted: $72,613
Boulder
Nominal: $77,852
CoL Index: 105.202
Adjusted: $74,002

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Aurora if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($107,307)
  • You prefer the Colorado area and lifestyle

Choose Boulder if…

  • Higher median salary ($77,852/year)
  • Larger job market (80 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $74,002)
  • You prefer the Colorado area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dietitian and nutritionist salaries in Aurora grew -5.5% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 48.2% growth in Boulder over the same period.

Aurora, CO

+-5.5%

$77,637 (2024) → $73,382 (2025)

Boulder, CO

+48.2%

$50,560 (2019) → $74,930 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dietitian and nutritionists more: Aurora or Boulder?

Boulder has a higher median dietitian and nutritionist salary at $77,852/year, compared to Aurora at $76,244/year — a difference of $1,608 (2.11%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Aurora and Boulder?

Aurora dietitian and nutritionists earn $36.66/hr while Boulder hygienists earn $37.42/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Aurora to Boulder as a dietitian and nutritionist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Aurora and Boulder. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Aurora = $72,613, Boulder = $74,002), job availability (54 vs 80 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level dietitian and nutritionists earn in Aurora vs Boulder?

Entry-level (10th percentile) dietitian and nutritionists earn $47,275 in Aurora and $40,937 in Boulder. The Aurora 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