Dietitian Pay

Clarksville vs Nashville: Dietitian and Nutritionist Salary (2026)

Compare dietitian and nutritionist salaries between Clarksville, TN and Nashville, TN. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Clarksville, TN
$71,608
$34.43/hr
Nashville, TN
$77,000
$37.02/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricClarksville, TNNashville, TN
Median Salary$71,608$77,000
Hourly Rate$34.43$37.02
Entry Level (P10)$38,557$55,597
25th Percentile$55,638$67,036
75th Percentile$89,624$81,780
Top Earner (P90)$95,131$89,624
Total Employed30440
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Clarksville ($71,608) and Nashville ($77,000) dietitian and nutritionist salaries.ClarksvilleNashvilleMedian Salary$71,608$77,000Entry Level (P10)$38,557$55,597Top Earner (P90)$95,131$89,624US Median $79,380

Verdict

Nashville, TN offers better overall compensation for dietitians and nutritionists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Clarksville.

The salary gap between Clarksville and Nashville is $5,392 (7.53%). Nashville's median is -3.00% compared to the US national median of $79,380.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Clarksville spans $56,574,Nashville spans $34,027. Clarksville has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Clarksville
P10 (Entry)$38,557
P25$55,638
Median$71,608
P75$89,624
P90 (Top)$95,131
Nashville
P10 (Entry)$55,597
P25$67,036
Median$77,000
P75$81,780
P90 (Top)$89,624

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Nashville ($79,927 effective) pays 1.51% more than Clarksville ($78,736 effective).

Clarksville
Nominal: $71,608
CoL Index: 90.947
Adjusted: $78,736
Nashville
Nominal: $77,000
CoL Index: 96.338
Adjusted: $79,927

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Clarksville if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($95,131)
  • You prefer the Tennessee area and lifestyle

Choose Nashville if…

  • Higher median salary ($77,000/year)
  • Larger job market (440 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $79,927)
  • You prefer the Tennessee area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dietitian and nutritionist salaries in Clarksville grew 117.5% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 28.6% growth in Nashville over the same period.

Clarksville, TN

+117.5%

$31,690 (2019) → $68,920 (2025)

Nashville, TN

+28.6%

$57,650 (2019) → $74,110 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dietitian and nutritionists more: Clarksville or Nashville?

Nashville has a higher median dietitian and nutritionist salary at $77,000/year, compared to Clarksville at $71,608/year — a difference of $5,392 (7.53%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Clarksville and Nashville?

Clarksville dietitian and nutritionists earn $34.43/hr while Nashville hygienists earn $37.02/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Clarksville to Nashville as a dietitian and nutritionist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Clarksville and Nashville. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Clarksville = $78,736, Nashville = $79,927), job availability (30 vs 440 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level dietitian and nutritionists earn in Clarksville vs Nashville?

Entry-level (10th percentile) dietitian and nutritionists earn $38,557 in Clarksville and $55,597 in Nashville. The Nashville 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