Dietitian Pay

Burlington vs Charlotte: Dietitian and Nutritionist Salary (2026)

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

Burlington, NC
$68,477
$32.93/hr
Charlotte, NC
$77,852
$37.44/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBurlington, NCCharlotte, NC
Median Salary$68,477$77,852
Hourly Rate$32.93$37.44
Entry Level (P10)$45,573$58,984
25th Percentile$57,416$66,122
75th Percentile$82,124$85,281
Top Earner (P90)$95,874$102,913
Total Employed14680
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Burlington ($68,477) and Charlotte ($77,852) dietitian and nutritionist salaries.BurlingtonCharlotteMedian Salary$68,477$77,852Entry Level (P10)$45,573$58,984Top Earner (P90)$95,874$102,913US Median $79,380

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Burlington and Charlotte is $9,375 (13.69%). Charlotte's median is -1.92% compared to the US national median of $79,380.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Burlington spans $50,301,Charlotte spans $43,929. Burlington has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Burlington
P10 (Entry)$45,573
P25$57,416
Median$68,477
P75$82,124
P90 (Top)$95,874
Charlotte
P10 (Entry)$58,984
P25$66,122
Median$77,852
P75$85,281
P90 (Top)$102,913

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Charlotte ($79,973 effective) pays 9.31% more than Burlington ($73,159 effective).

Burlington
Nominal: $68,477
CoL Index: 93.6
Adjusted: $73,159
Charlotte
Nominal: $77,852
CoL Index: 97.348
Adjusted: $79,973

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Burlington if…

  • You prefer the North Carolina area and lifestyle

Choose Charlotte if…

  • Higher median salary ($77,852/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($102,913)
  • Larger job market (680 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $79,973)
  • You prefer the North Carolina area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dietitian and nutritionist salaries in Burlington grew 15.9% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 30.5% growth in Charlotte over the same period.

Burlington, NC

+15.9%

$56,856 (2024) → $65,907 (2025)

Charlotte, NC

+30.5%

$57,400 (2019) → $74,930 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dietitian and nutritionists more: Burlington or Charlotte?

Charlotte has a higher median dietitian and nutritionist salary at $77,852/year, compared to Burlington at $68,477/year — a difference of $9,375 (13.69%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Burlington and Charlotte?

Burlington dietitian and nutritionists earn $32.93/hr while Charlotte hygienists earn $37.44/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Burlington to Charlotte as a dietitian and nutritionist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Burlington and Charlotte. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Burlington = $73,159, Charlotte = $79,973), job availability (14 vs 680 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level dietitian and nutritionists earn in Burlington vs Charlotte?

Entry-level (10th percentile) dietitian and nutritionists earn $45,573 in Burlington and $58,984 in Charlotte. The Charlotte 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