Dietitian Pay

Baltimore vs Wheaton: Dietitian and Nutritionist Salary (2026)

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

Baltimore, MD
$78,933
$37.95/hr
Wheaton, MD
$86,749
$41.71/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBaltimore, MDWheaton, MD
Median Salary$78,933$86,749
Hourly Rate$37.95$41.71
Entry Level (P10)$63,815$53,969
25th Percentile$71,639$69,647
75th Percentile$89,105$100,946
Top Earner (P90)$103,422$116,306
Total Employed81011
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Baltimore ($78,933) and Wheaton ($86,749) dietitian and nutritionist salaries.BaltimoreWheatonMedian Salary$78,933$86,749Entry Level (P10)$63,815$53,969Top Earner (P90)$103,422$116,306US Median $79,380

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Baltimore and Wheaton is $7,816 (9.90%). Wheaton's median is +9.28% 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,Wheaton spans $62,337. Wheaton 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
Wheaton
P10 (Entry)$53,969
P25$69,647
Median$86,749
P75$100,946
P90 (Top)$116,306

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Wheaton ($79,368 effective) pays 5.06% more than Baltimore ($75,543 effective).

Baltimore
Nominal: $78,933
CoL Index: 104.487
Adjusted: $75,543
Wheaton
Nominal: $86,749
CoL Index: 109.3
Adjusted: $79,368

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 Wheaton if…

  • Higher median salary ($86,749/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($116,306)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $79,368)
  • 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 Wheaton over the same period.

Baltimore, MD

+12.3%

$67,640 (2019) → $75,970 (2025)

Wheaton, MD

+3.2%

$80,871 (2024) → $83,493 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Wheaton has a higher median dietitian and nutritionist salary at $86,749/year, compared to Baltimore at $78,933/year — a difference of $7,816 (9.90%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Baltimore and Wheaton?

Baltimore dietitian and nutritionists earn $37.95/hr while Wheaton hygienists earn $41.71/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Baltimore and Wheaton. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Baltimore = $75,543, Wheaton = $79,368), job availability (810 vs 11 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) dietitian and nutritionists earn $63,815 in Baltimore and $53,969 in Wheaton. 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