Dietitian Pay

Bridgeport vs Fairfield: Dietitian and Nutritionist Salary (2026)

Compare dietitian and nutritionist salaries between Bridgeport, CT and Fairfield, CT. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Bridgeport, CT
$86,112
$41.40/hr
Fairfield, CT
$81,998
$39.42/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBridgeport, CTFairfield, CT
Median Salary$86,112$81,998
Hourly Rate$41.40$39.42
Entry Level (P10)$68,106$55,295
25th Percentile$82,029$69,107
75th Percentile$95,411$93,835
Top Earner (P90)$108,098$115,184
Total Employed2009
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Bridgeport ($86,112) and Fairfield ($81,998) dietitian and nutritionist salaries.BridgeportFairfieldMedian Salary$86,112$81,998Entry Level (P10)$68,106$55,295Top Earner (P90)$108,098$115,184US Median $79,380

Verdict

Bridgeport, CT offers better overall compensation for dietitians and nutritionists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Fairfield.

The salary gap between Bridgeport and Fairfield is $4,114 (5.02%). Bridgeport's median is +8.48% compared to the US national median of $79,380.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Bridgeport spans $39,992,Fairfield spans $59,889. Fairfield has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced dietitian and nutritionists.

Bridgeport
P10 (Entry)$68,106
P25$82,029
Median$86,112
P75$95,411
P90 (Top)$108,098
Fairfield
P10 (Entry)$55,295
P25$69,107
Median$81,998
P75$93,835
P90 (Top)$115,184

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Bridgeport ($80,581 effective) pays 6.04% more than Fairfield ($75,994 effective).

Bridgeport
Nominal: $86,112
CoL Index: 106.864
Adjusted: $80,581
Fairfield
Nominal: $81,998
CoL Index: 107.9
Adjusted: $75,994

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Bridgeport if…

  • Higher median salary ($86,112/year)
  • Larger job market (200 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $80,581)
  • You prefer the Connecticut area and lifestyle

Choose Fairfield if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($115,184)
  • You prefer the Connecticut area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dietitian and nutritionist salaries in Bridgeport grew 14.6% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -2.1% growth in Fairfield over the same period.

Bridgeport, CT

+14.6%

$72,320 (2019) → $82,880 (2025)

Fairfield, CT

+-2.1%

$80,635 (2024) → $78,920 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dietitian and nutritionists more: Bridgeport or Fairfield?

Bridgeport has a higher median dietitian and nutritionist salary at $86,112/year, compared to Fairfield at $81,998/year — a difference of $4,114 (5.02%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Bridgeport and Fairfield?

Bridgeport dietitian and nutritionists earn $41.40/hr while Fairfield hygienists earn $39.42/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Bridgeport to Fairfield as a dietitian and nutritionist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Bridgeport and Fairfield. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Bridgeport = $80,581, Fairfield = $75,994), job availability (200 vs 9 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level dietitian and nutritionists earn in Bridgeport vs Fairfield?

Entry-level (10th percentile) dietitian and nutritionists earn $68,106 in Bridgeport and $55,295 in Fairfield. The Bridgeport 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