Dietitian Pay

Carrollton vs Houston: Dietitian and Nutritionist Salary (2026)

Compare dietitian and nutritionist salaries between Carrollton, TX and Houston, TX. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Carrollton, TX
$74,587
$35.86/hr
Houston, TX
$80,190
$38.55/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCarrollton, TXHouston, TX
Median Salary$74,587$80,190
Hourly Rate$35.86$38.55
Entry Level (P10)$44,585$35,648
25th Percentile$63,036$62,693
75th Percentile$86,956$87,868
Top Earner (P90)$105,651$104,108
Total Employed201,340
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Carrollton ($74,587) and Houston ($80,190) dietitian and nutritionist salaries.CarrolltonHoustonMedian Salary$74,587$80,190Entry Level (P10)$44,585$35,648Top Earner (P90)$105,651$104,108US Median $79,380

Verdict

Houston, TX offers better overall compensation for dietitians and nutritionists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Carrollton.

The salary gap between Carrollton and Houston is $5,603 (7.51%). Houston's median is +1.02% compared to the US national median of $79,380.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Carrollton spans $61,066,Houston spans $68,460. Houston has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced dietitian and nutritionists.

Carrollton
P10 (Entry)$44,585
P25$63,036
Median$74,587
P75$86,956
P90 (Top)$105,651
Houston
P10 (Entry)$35,648
P25$62,693
Median$80,190
P75$87,868
P90 (Top)$104,108

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Houston ($81,305 effective) pays 4.65% more than Carrollton ($77,695 effective).

Carrollton
Nominal: $74,587
CoL Index: 96
Adjusted: $77,695
Houston
Nominal: $80,190
CoL Index: 98.629
Adjusted: $81,305

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Carrollton if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($105,651)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Choose Houston if…

  • Higher median salary ($80,190/year)
  • Larger job market (1,340 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $81,305)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dietitian and nutritionist salaries in Carrollton grew 11.9% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 30.5% growth in Houston over the same period.

Carrollton, TX

+11.9%

$64,134 (2024) → $71,787 (2025)

Houston, TX

+30.5%

$59,160 (2019) → $77,180 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dietitian and nutritionists more: Carrollton or Houston?

Houston has a higher median dietitian and nutritionist salary at $80,190/year, compared to Carrollton at $74,587/year — a difference of $5,603 (7.51%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Carrollton and Houston?

Carrollton dietitian and nutritionists earn $35.86/hr while Houston hygienists earn $38.55/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Carrollton to Houston as a dietitian and nutritionist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Carrollton and Houston. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Carrollton = $77,695, Houston = $81,305), job availability (20 vs 1,340 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level dietitian and nutritionists earn in Carrollton vs Houston?

Entry-level (10th percentile) dietitian and nutritionists earn $44,585 in Carrollton and $35,648 in Houston. The Carrollton 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