Dietitian Pay

Charleston vs Florence: Dietitian and Nutritionist Salary (2026)

Compare dietitian and nutritionist salaries between Charleston, SC and Florence, SC. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Charleston, SC
$79,535
$38.24/hr
Florence, SC
$67,618
$32.51/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCharleston, SCFlorence, SC
Median Salary$79,535$67,618
Hourly Rate$38.24$32.51
Entry Level (P10)$41,560$54,101
25th Percentile$65,083$60,397
75th Percentile$85,728$84,502
Top Earner (P90)$104,794$113,926
Total Employed13090
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Charleston ($79,535) and Florence ($67,618) dietitian and nutritionist salaries.CharlestonFlorenceMedian Salary$79,535$67,618Entry Level (P10)$41,560$54,101Top Earner (P90)$104,794$113,926US Median $79,380

Verdict

Charleston, SC offers better overall compensation for dietitians and nutritionists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Florence.

The salary gap between Charleston and Florence is $11,917 (17.62%). Charleston's median is +0.20% compared to the US national median of $79,380.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Charleston spans $63,234,Florence spans $59,825. Charleston has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Charleston
P10 (Entry)$41,560
P25$65,083
Median$79,535
P75$85,728
P90 (Top)$104,794
Florence
P10 (Entry)$54,101
P25$60,397
Median$67,618
P75$84,502
P90 (Top)$113,926

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Charleston ($78,777 effective) pays 1.09% more than Florence ($77,924 effective).

Charleston
Nominal: $79,535
CoL Index: 100.962
Adjusted: $78,777
Florence
Nominal: $67,618
CoL Index: 86.774
Adjusted: $77,924

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Charleston if…

  • Higher median salary ($79,535/year)
  • Larger job market (130 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $78,777)
  • You prefer the South Carolina area and lifestyle

Choose Florence if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($113,926)
  • You prefer the South Carolina area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dietitian and nutritionist salaries in Charleston grew 37.4% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 50.1% growth in Florence over the same period.

Charleston, SC

+37.4%

$55,700 (2019) → $76,550 (2025)

Florence, SC

+50.1%

$43,360 (2019) → $65,080 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dietitian and nutritionists more: Charleston or Florence?

Charleston has a higher median dietitian and nutritionist salary at $79,535/year, compared to Florence at $67,618/year — a difference of $11,917 (17.62%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Charleston and Florence?

Charleston dietitian and nutritionists earn $38.24/hr while Florence hygienists earn $32.51/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Charleston to Florence as a dietitian and nutritionist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Charleston and Florence. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Charleston = $78,777, Florence = $77,924), job availability (130 vs 90 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level dietitian and nutritionists earn in Charleston vs Florence?

Entry-level (10th percentile) dietitian and nutritionists earn $41,560 in Charleston and $54,101 in Florence. The Florence 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