Dietitian Pay

Baton Rouge vs Hammond: Dietitian and Nutritionist Salary (2026)

Compare dietitian and nutritionist salaries between Baton Rouge, LA and Hammond, LA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Baton Rouge, LA
$73,707
$35.43/hr
Hammond, LA
$65,156
$31.33/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBaton Rouge, LAHammond, LA
Median Salary$73,707$65,156
Hourly Rate$35.43$31.33
Entry Level (P10)$54,007$36,084
25th Percentile$65,956$62,132
75th Percentile$86,403$80,647
Top Earner (P90)$91,941$84,533
Total Employed14040
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Baton Rouge ($73,707) and Hammond ($65,156) dietitian and nutritionist salaries.Baton RougeHammondMedian Salary$73,707$65,156Entry Level (P10)$54,007$36,084Top Earner (P90)$91,941$84,533US Median $79,380

Verdict

Baton Rouge, LA offers better overall compensation for dietitians and nutritionists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Hammond.

The salary gap between Baton Rouge and Hammond is $8,551 (13.12%). Baton Rouge's median is -7.15% compared to the US national median of $79,380.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Baton Rouge spans $37,934,Hammond spans $48,449. Hammond has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced dietitian and nutritionists.

Baton Rouge
P10 (Entry)$54,007
P25$65,956
Median$73,707
P75$86,403
P90 (Top)$91,941
Hammond
P10 (Entry)$36,084
P25$62,132
Median$65,156
P75$80,647
P90 (Top)$84,533

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Baton Rouge ($81,193 effective) pays 5.25% more than Hammond ($77,144 effective).

Baton Rouge
Nominal: $73,707
CoL Index: 90.78
Adjusted: $81,193
Hammond
Nominal: $65,156
CoL Index: 84.46
Adjusted: $77,144

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Baton Rouge if…

  • Higher median salary ($73,707/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($91,941)
  • Larger job market (140 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $81,193)
  • You prefer the Louisiana area and lifestyle

Choose Hammond if…

  • You prefer the Louisiana area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dietitian and nutritionist salaries in Baton Rouge grew 24.2% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 6.1% growth in Hammond over the same period.

Baton Rouge, LA

+24.2%

$57,100 (2019) → $70,940 (2025)

Hammond, LA

+6.1%

$59,080 (2020) → $62,710 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dietitian and nutritionists more: Baton Rouge or Hammond?

Baton Rouge has a higher median dietitian and nutritionist salary at $73,707/year, compared to Hammond at $65,156/year — a difference of $8,551 (13.12%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Baton Rouge and Hammond?

Baton Rouge dietitian and nutritionists earn $35.43/hr while Hammond hygienists earn $31.33/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Baton Rouge to Hammond as a dietitian and nutritionist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Baton Rouge and Hammond. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Baton Rouge = $81,193, Hammond = $77,144), job availability (140 vs 40 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level dietitian and nutritionists earn in Baton Rouge vs Hammond?

Entry-level (10th percentile) dietitian and nutritionists earn $54,007 in Baton Rouge and $36,084 in Hammond. The Baton Rouge 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