Dietitian Pay

Austin vs Fort Worth: Dietitian and Nutritionist Salary (2026)

Compare dietitian and nutritionist salaries between Austin, TX and Fort Worth, TX. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Austin, TX
$75,982
$36.53/hr
Fort Worth, TX
$80,038
$38.48/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAustin, TXFort Worth, TX
Median Salary$75,982$80,038
Hourly Rate$36.53$38.48
Entry Level (P10)$54,828$51,511
25th Percentile$65,041$65,853
75th Percentile$94,341$96,941
Top Earner (P90)$109,220$115,242
Total Employed370219
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Austin ($75,982) and Fort Worth ($80,038) dietitian and nutritionist salaries.AustinFort WorthMedian Salary$75,982$80,038Entry Level (P10)$54,828$51,511Top Earner (P90)$109,220$115,242US Median $79,380

Verdict

Fort Worth, TX offers better overall compensation for dietitians and nutritionists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Austin.

The salary gap between Austin and Fort Worth is $4,056 (5.34%). Fort Worth's median is +0.83% compared to the US national median of $79,380.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Austin spans $54,392,Fort Worth spans $63,731. Fort Worth has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced dietitian and nutritionists.

Austin
P10 (Entry)$54,828
P25$65,041
Median$75,982
P75$94,341
P90 (Top)$109,220
Fort Worth
P10 (Entry)$51,511
P25$65,853
Median$80,038
P75$96,941
P90 (Top)$115,242

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Fort Worth ($83,373 effective) pays 7.61% more than Austin ($77,480 effective).

Austin
Nominal: $75,982
CoL Index: 98.066
Adjusted: $77,480
Fort Worth
Nominal: $80,038
CoL Index: 96
Adjusted: $83,373

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Austin if…

  • Larger job market (370 employed)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Choose Fort Worth if…

  • Higher median salary ($80,038/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($115,242)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $83,373)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dietitian and nutritionist salaries in Austin grew 28.0% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 13.3% growth in Fort Worth over the same period.

Austin, TX

+28.0%

$57,130 (2019) → $73,130 (2025)

Fort Worth, TX

+13.3%

$67,983 (2024) → $77,034 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dietitian and nutritionists more: Austin or Fort Worth?

Fort Worth has a higher median dietitian and nutritionist salary at $80,038/year, compared to Austin at $75,982/year — a difference of $4,056 (5.34%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Austin and Fort Worth?

Austin dietitian and nutritionists earn $36.53/hr while Fort Worth hygienists earn $38.48/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Austin to Fort Worth as a dietitian and nutritionist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Austin and Fort Worth. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Austin = $77,480, Fort Worth = $83,373), job availability (370 vs 219 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level dietitian and nutritionists earn in Austin vs Fort Worth?

Entry-level (10th percentile) dietitian and nutritionists earn $54,828 in Austin and $51,511 in Fort Worth. The Austin 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