Dietitian Pay

Centennial vs Colorado Springs: Dietitian and Nutritionist Salary (2026)

Compare dietitian and nutritionist salaries between Centennial, CO and Colorado Springs, CO. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Centennial, CO
$78,670
$37.82/hr
Colorado Springs, CO
$80,034
$38.47/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCentennial, COColorado Springs, CO
Median Salary$78,670$80,034
Hourly Rate$37.82$38.47
Entry Level (P10)$47,884$63,285
25th Percentile$62,464$69,052
75th Percentile$90,640$86,995
Top Earner (P90)$112,552$97,884
Total Employed16150
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Centennial ($78,670) and Colorado Springs ($80,034) dietitian and nutritionist salaries.CentennialColorado SpringsMedian Salary$78,670$80,034Entry Level (P10)$47,884$63,285Top Earner (P90)$112,552$97,884US Median $79,380

Verdict

Colorado Springs, CO offers better overall compensation for dietitians and nutritionists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Centennial.

The salary gap between Centennial and Colorado Springs is $1,364 (1.73%). Colorado Springs's median is +0.82% compared to the US national median of $79,380.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Centennial spans $64,668,Colorado Springs spans $34,599. Centennial has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Centennial
P10 (Entry)$47,884
P25$62,464
Median$78,670
P75$90,640
P90 (Top)$112,552
Colorado Springs
P10 (Entry)$63,285
P25$69,052
Median$80,034
P75$86,995
P90 (Top)$97,884

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Colorado Springs ($79,472 effective) pays 6.07% more than Centennial ($74,924 effective).

Centennial
Nominal: $78,670
CoL Index: 105
Adjusted: $74,924
Colorado Springs
Nominal: $80,034
CoL Index: 100.707
Adjusted: $79,472

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Centennial if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($112,552)
  • You prefer the Colorado area and lifestyle

Choose Colorado Springs if…

  • Higher median salary ($80,034/year)
  • Larger job market (150 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $79,472)
  • You prefer the Colorado area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dietitian and nutritionist salaries in Centennial grew -1.7% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 27.4% growth in Colorado Springs over the same period.

Centennial, CO

+-1.7%

$77,055 (2024) → $75,717 (2025)

Colorado Springs, CO

+27.4%

$60,450 (2019) → $77,030 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dietitian and nutritionists more: Centennial or Colorado Springs?

Colorado Springs has a higher median dietitian and nutritionist salary at $80,034/year, compared to Centennial at $78,670/year — a difference of $1,364 (1.73%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Centennial and Colorado Springs?

Centennial dietitian and nutritionists earn $37.82/hr while Colorado Springs hygienists earn $38.47/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Centennial to Colorado Springs as a dietitian and nutritionist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Centennial and Colorado Springs. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Centennial = $74,924, Colorado Springs = $79,472), job availability (16 vs 150 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level dietitian and nutritionists earn in Centennial vs Colorado Springs?

Entry-level (10th percentile) dietitian and nutritionists earn $47,884 in Centennial and $63,285 in Colorado Springs. The Colorado Springs 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