Dietitian Pay

Boston vs Brookline: Dietitian and Nutritionist Salary (2026)

Compare dietitian and nutritionist salaries between Boston, MA and Brookline, MA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Boston, MA
$80,876
$38.89/hr
Brookline, MA
$77,673
$37.34/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBoston, MABrookline, MA
Median Salary$80,876$77,673
Hourly Rate$38.89$37.34
Entry Level (P10)$67,036$50,778
25th Percentile$75,328$64,202
75th Percentile$98,611$92,226
Top Earner (P90)$111,765$104,373
Total Employed2,00013
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Boston ($80,876) and Brookline ($77,673) dietitian and nutritionist salaries.BostonBrooklineMedian Salary$80,876$77,673Entry Level (P10)$67,036$50,778Top Earner (P90)$111,765$104,373US Median $79,380

Verdict

Boston, MA offers better overall compensation for dietitians and nutritionists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Brookline.

The salary gap between Boston and Brookline is $3,203 (4.12%). Boston's median is +1.88% compared to the US national median of $79,380.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Boston spans $44,729,Brookline spans $53,595. Brookline has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced dietitian and nutritionists.

Boston
P10 (Entry)$67,036
P25$75,328
Median$80,876
P75$98,611
P90 (Top)$111,765
Brookline
P10 (Entry)$50,778
P25$64,202
Median$77,673
P75$92,226
P90 (Top)$104,373

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Boston ($74,701 effective) pays 4.35% more than Brookline ($71,588 effective).

Boston
Nominal: $80,876
CoL Index: 108.266
Adjusted: $74,701
Brookline
Nominal: $77,673
CoL Index: 108.5
Adjusted: $71,588

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Boston if…

  • Higher median salary ($80,876/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($111,765)
  • Larger job market (2,000 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $74,701)
  • You prefer the Massachusetts area and lifestyle

Choose Brookline if…

  • You prefer the Massachusetts area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dietitian and nutritionist salaries in Boston grew 14.5% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -11.2% growth in Brookline over the same period.

Boston, MA

+14.5%

$67,980 (2019) → $77,840 (2025)

Brookline, MA

+-11.2%

$84,189 (2024) → $74,757 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dietitian and nutritionists more: Boston or Brookline?

Boston has a higher median dietitian and nutritionist salary at $80,876/year, compared to Brookline at $77,673/year — a difference of $3,203 (4.12%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Boston and Brookline?

Boston dietitian and nutritionists earn $38.89/hr while Brookline hygienists earn $37.34/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Boston to Brookline as a dietitian and nutritionist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Boston and Brookline. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Boston = $74,701, Brookline = $71,588), job availability (2,000 vs 13 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level dietitian and nutritionists earn in Boston vs Brookline?

Entry-level (10th percentile) dietitian and nutritionists earn $67,036 in Boston and $50,778 in Brookline. The Boston 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