Dietitian Pay

Boone vs Durham: Dietitian and Nutritionist Salary (2026)

Compare dietitian and nutritionist salaries between Boone, NC and Durham, NC. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Boone, NC
$66,712
$32.07/hr
Durham, NC
$77,541
$37.28/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBoone, NCDurham, NC
Median Salary$66,712$77,541
Hourly Rate$32.07$37.28
Entry Level (P10)$44,698$62,330
25th Percentile$55,692$67,369
75th Percentile$74,316$85,240
Top Earner (P90)$82,299$95,837
Total Employed6340
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Boone ($66,712) and Durham ($77,541) dietitian and nutritionist salaries.BooneDurhamMedian Salary$66,712$77,541Entry Level (P10)$44,698$62,330Top Earner (P90)$82,299$95,837US Median $79,380

Verdict

Durham, NC offers better overall compensation for dietitians and nutritionists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Boone.

The salary gap between Boone and Durham is $10,829 (16.23%). Durham's median is -2.32% compared to the US national median of $79,380.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Boone spans $37,601,Durham spans $33,507. Boone has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Boone
P10 (Entry)$44,698
P25$55,692
Median$66,712
P75$74,316
P90 (Top)$82,299
Durham
P10 (Entry)$62,330
P25$67,369
Median$77,541
P75$85,240
P90 (Top)$95,837

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Durham ($79,471 effective) pays 11.50% more than Boone ($71,274 effective).

Boone
Nominal: $66,712
CoL Index: 93.6
Adjusted: $71,274
Durham
Nominal: $77,541
CoL Index: 97.572
Adjusted: $79,471

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Boone if…

  • You prefer the North Carolina area and lifestyle

Choose Durham if…

  • Higher median salary ($77,541/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($95,837)
  • Larger job market (340 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $79,471)
  • You prefer the North Carolina area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dietitian and nutritionist salaries in Boone grew 15.9% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 21.3% growth in Durham over the same period.

Boone, NC

+15.9%

$55,390 (2024) → $64,208 (2025)

Durham, NC

+21.3%

$61,510 (2019) → $74,630 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dietitian and nutritionists more: Boone or Durham?

Durham has a higher median dietitian and nutritionist salary at $77,541/year, compared to Boone at $66,712/year — a difference of $10,829 (16.23%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Boone and Durham?

Boone dietitian and nutritionists earn $32.07/hr while Durham hygienists earn $37.28/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Boone to Durham as a dietitian and nutritionist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Boone and Durham. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Boone = $71,274, Durham = $79,471), job availability (6 vs 340 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level dietitian and nutritionists earn in Boone vs Durham?

Entry-level (10th percentile) dietitian and nutritionists earn $44,698 in Boone and $62,330 in Durham. The Durham 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