Dietitian Pay

Baltimore vs Frederick: Dietitian and Nutritionist Salary (2026)

Compare dietitian and nutritionist salaries between Baltimore, MD and Frederick, MD. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Baltimore, MD
$78,933
$37.95/hr
Frederick, MD
$84,880
$40.81/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBaltimore, MDFrederick, MD
Median Salary$78,933$84,880
Hourly Rate$37.95$40.81
Entry Level (P10)$63,815$56,641
25th Percentile$71,639$71,023
75th Percentile$89,105$101,647
Top Earner (P90)$103,422$118,594
Total Employed81015
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Baltimore ($78,933) and Frederick ($84,880) dietitian and nutritionist salaries.BaltimoreFrederickMedian Salary$78,933$84,880Entry Level (P10)$63,815$56,641Top Earner (P90)$103,422$118,594US Median $79,380

Verdict

Frederick, MD offers better overall compensation for dietitians and nutritionists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Baltimore.

The salary gap between Baltimore and Frederick is $5,947 (7.53%). Frederick's median is +6.93% compared to the US national median of $79,380.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Baltimore spans $39,607,Frederick spans $61,953. Frederick has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced dietitian and nutritionists.

Baltimore
P10 (Entry)$63,815
P25$71,639
Median$78,933
P75$89,105
P90 (Top)$103,422
Frederick
P10 (Entry)$56,641
P25$71,023
Median$84,880
P75$101,647
P90 (Top)$118,594

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Frederick ($77,658 effective) pays 2.80% more than Baltimore ($75,543 effective).

Baltimore
Nominal: $78,933
CoL Index: 104.487
Adjusted: $75,543
Frederick
Nominal: $84,880
CoL Index: 109.3
Adjusted: $77,658

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Baltimore if…

  • Larger job market (810 employed)
  • You prefer the Maryland area and lifestyle

Choose Frederick if…

  • Higher median salary ($84,880/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($118,594)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $77,658)
  • You prefer the Maryland area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dietitian and nutritionist salaries in Baltimore grew 12.3% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 3.2% growth in Frederick over the same period.

Baltimore, MD

+12.3%

$67,640 (2019) → $75,970 (2025)

Frederick, MD

+3.2%

$79,128 (2024) → $81,694 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dietitian and nutritionists more: Baltimore or Frederick?

Frederick has a higher median dietitian and nutritionist salary at $84,880/year, compared to Baltimore at $78,933/year — a difference of $5,947 (7.53%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Baltimore and Frederick?

Baltimore dietitian and nutritionists earn $37.95/hr while Frederick hygienists earn $40.81/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Baltimore to Frederick as a dietitian and nutritionist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Baltimore and Frederick. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Baltimore = $75,543, Frederick = $77,658), job availability (810 vs 15 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level dietitian and nutritionists earn in Baltimore vs Frederick?

Entry-level (10th percentile) dietitian and nutritionists earn $63,815 in Baltimore and $56,641 in Frederick. The Baltimore 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