Dietitian Pay

Centennial vs Denver: Dietitian and Nutritionist Salary (2026)

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

Centennial, CO
$78,670
$37.82/hr
Denver, CO
$77,956
$37.48/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCentennial, CODenver, CO
Median Salary$78,670$77,956
Hourly Rate$37.82$37.48
Entry Level (P10)$47,884$62,174
25th Percentile$62,464$68,065
75th Percentile$90,640$99,806
Top Earner (P90)$112,552$118,810
Total Employed16N/A
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Centennial ($78,670) and Denver ($77,956) dietitian and nutritionist salaries.CentennialDenverMedian Salary$78,670$77,956Entry Level (P10)$47,884$62,174Top Earner (P90)$112,552$118,810US Median $79,380

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Centennial and Denver is $714 (0.92%). Centennial's median is -0.89% 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,Denver spans $56,636. 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
Denver
P10 (Entry)$62,174
P25$68,065
Median$77,956
P75$99,806
P90 (Top)$118,810

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Centennial ($74,924 effective) pays 1.67% more than Denver ($73,695 effective).

Centennial
Nominal: $78,670
CoL Index: 105
Adjusted: $74,924
Denver
Nominal: $77,956
CoL Index: 105.782
Adjusted: $73,695

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Centennial if…

  • Higher median salary ($78,670/year)
  • Larger job market (16 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $74,924)
  • You prefer the Colorado area and lifestyle

Choose Denver if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($118,810)
  • 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 20.7% growth in Denver over the same period.

Centennial, CO

+-1.7%

$77,055 (2024) → $75,717 (2025)

Denver, CO

+20.7%

$62,180 (2019) → $75,030 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dietitian and nutritionists more: Centennial or Denver?

Centennial has a higher median dietitian and nutritionist salary at $78,670/year, compared to Denver at $77,956/year — a difference of $714 (0.92%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Centennial and Denver?

Centennial dietitian and nutritionists earn $37.82/hr while Denver hygienists earn $37.48/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Centennial and Denver. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Centennial = $74,924, Denver = $73,695), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) dietitian and nutritionists earn $47,884 in Centennial and $62,174 in Denver. The Denver 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