Dietitian Pay

Boulder vs Parker: Dietitian and Nutritionist Salary (2026)

Compare dietitian and nutritionist salaries between Boulder, CO and Parker, CO. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Boulder, CO
$77,852
$37.42/hr
Parker, CO
$78,189
$37.59/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBoulder, COParker, CO
Median Salary$77,852$78,189
Hourly Rate$37.42$37.59
Entry Level (P10)$40,937$47,552
25th Percentile$67,254$64,936
75th Percentile$95,069$93,147
Top Earner (P90)$106,362$108,432
Total Employed8014
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Boulder ($77,852) and Parker ($78,189) dietitian and nutritionist salaries.BoulderParkerMedian Salary$77,852$78,189Entry Level (P10)$40,937$47,552Top Earner (P90)$106,362$108,432US Median $79,380

Verdict

Parker, CO offers better overall compensation for dietitians and nutritionists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Boulder.

The salary gap between Boulder and Parker is $337 (0.43%). Parker's median is -1.50% compared to the US national median of $79,380.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Boulder spans $65,425,Parker spans $60,880. Boulder has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Boulder
P10 (Entry)$40,937
P25$67,254
Median$77,852
P75$95,069
P90 (Top)$106,362
Parker
P10 (Entry)$47,552
P25$64,936
Median$78,189
P75$93,147
P90 (Top)$108,432

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Parker ($74,466 effective) pays 0.63% more than Boulder ($74,002 effective).

Boulder
Nominal: $77,852
CoL Index: 105.202
Adjusted: $74,002
Parker
Nominal: $78,189
CoL Index: 105
Adjusted: $74,466

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Boulder if…

  • Larger job market (80 employed)
  • You prefer the Colorado area and lifestyle

Choose Parker if…

  • Higher median salary ($78,189/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($108,432)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $74,466)
  • You prefer the Colorado area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dietitian and nutritionist salaries in Boulder grew 48.2% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 0.4% growth in Parker over the same period.

Boulder, CO

+48.2%

$50,560 (2019) → $74,930 (2025)

Parker, CO

+0.4%

$74,937 (2024) → $75,254 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dietitian and nutritionists more: Boulder or Parker?

Parker has a higher median dietitian and nutritionist salary at $78,189/year, compared to Boulder at $77,852/year — a difference of $337 (0.43%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Boulder and Parker?

Boulder dietitian and nutritionists earn $37.42/hr while Parker hygienists earn $37.59/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Boulder to Parker as a dietitian and nutritionist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Boulder and Parker. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Boulder = $74,002, Parker = $74,466), job availability (80 vs 14 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level dietitian and nutritionists earn in Boulder vs Parker?

Entry-level (10th percentile) dietitian and nutritionists earn $40,937 in Boulder and $47,552 in Parker. The Parker 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