Dietitian Pay

Boston vs New Bedford: Dietitian and Nutritionist Salary (2026)

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

Boston, MA
$80,876
$38.89/hr
New Bedford, MA
$80,678
$38.79/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBoston, MANew Bedford, MA
Median Salary$80,876$80,678
Hourly Rate$38.89$38.79
Entry Level (P10)$67,036$53,956
25th Percentile$75,328$67,731
75th Percentile$98,611$93,596
Top Earner (P90)$111,765$108,275
Total Employed2,00024
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Boston ($80,876) and New Bedford ($80,678) dietitian and nutritionist salaries.BostonNew BedfordMedian Salary$80,876$80,678Entry Level (P10)$67,036$53,956Top Earner (P90)$111,765$108,275US Median $79,380

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Boston and New Bedford is $198 (0.25%). 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,New Bedford spans $54,319. New Bedford 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
New Bedford
P10 (Entry)$53,956
P25$67,731
Median$80,678
P75$93,596
P90 (Top)$108,275

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Boston ($74,701 effective) pays 0.46% more than New Bedford ($74,358 effective).

Boston
Nominal: $80,876
CoL Index: 108.266
Adjusted: $74,701
New Bedford
Nominal: $80,678
CoL Index: 108.5
Adjusted: $74,358

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 New Bedford 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 11.1% growth in New Bedford over the same period.

Boston, MA

+14.5%

$67,980 (2019) → $77,840 (2025)

New Bedford, MA

+11.1%

$69,900 (2019) → $77,650 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dietitian and nutritionists more: Boston or New Bedford?

Boston has a higher median dietitian and nutritionist salary at $80,876/year, compared to New Bedford at $80,678/year — a difference of $198 (0.25%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Boston and New Bedford?

Boston dietitian and nutritionists earn $38.89/hr while New Bedford hygienists earn $38.79/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Boston and New Bedford. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Boston = $74,701, New Bedford = $74,358), job availability (2,000 vs 24 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) dietitian and nutritionists earn $67,036 in Boston and $53,956 in New Bedford. 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