Dietitian Pay

Cleveland vs Upper Arlington: Dietitian and Nutritionist Salary (2026)

Compare dietitian and nutritionist salaries between Cleveland, OH and Upper Arlington, OH. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Cleveland, OH
$74,018
$35.59/hr
Upper Arlington, OH
$69,693
$33.51/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCleveland, OHUpper Arlington, OH
Median Salary$74,018$69,693
Hourly Rate$35.59$33.51
Entry Level (P10)$38,277$46,584
25th Percentile$64,314$58,259
75th Percentile$81,655$81,330
Top Earner (P90)$98,061$90,299
Total Employed7109
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Cleveland ($74,018) and Upper Arlington ($69,693) dietitian and nutritionist salaries.ClevelandUpper ArlingtonMedian Salary$74,018$69,693Entry Level (P10)$38,277$46,584Top Earner (P90)$98,061$90,299US Median $79,380

Verdict

Cleveland, OH offers better overall compensation for dietitians and nutritionists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Upper Arlington.

The salary gap between Cleveland and Upper Arlington is $4,325 (6.21%). Cleveland's median is -6.75% compared to the US national median of $79,380.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Cleveland spans $59,784,Upper Arlington spans $43,715. Cleveland has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Cleveland
P10 (Entry)$38,277
P25$64,314
Median$74,018
P75$81,655
P90 (Top)$98,061
Upper Arlington
P10 (Entry)$46,584
P25$58,259
Median$69,693
P75$81,330
P90 (Top)$90,299

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Cleveland ($78,807 effective) pays 2.56% more than Upper Arlington ($76,839 effective).

Cleveland
Nominal: $74,018
CoL Index: 93.923
Adjusted: $78,807
Upper Arlington
Nominal: $69,693
CoL Index: 90.7
Adjusted: $76,839

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Cleveland if…

  • Higher median salary ($74,018/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($98,061)
  • Larger job market (710 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $78,807)
  • You prefer the Ohio area and lifestyle

Choose Upper Arlington if…

  • You prefer the Ohio area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dietitian and nutritionist salaries in Cleveland grew 22.3% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 21.9% growth in Upper Arlington over the same period.

Cleveland, OH

+22.3%

$58,230 (2019) → $71,240 (2025)

Upper Arlington, OH

+21.9%

$55,012 (2024) → $67,077 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dietitian and nutritionists more: Cleveland or Upper Arlington?

Cleveland has a higher median dietitian and nutritionist salary at $74,018/year, compared to Upper Arlington at $69,693/year — a difference of $4,325 (6.21%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Cleveland and Upper Arlington?

Cleveland dietitian and nutritionists earn $35.59/hr while Upper Arlington hygienists earn $33.51/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Cleveland to Upper Arlington as a dietitian and nutritionist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Cleveland and Upper Arlington. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Cleveland = $78,807, Upper Arlington = $76,839), job availability (710 vs 9 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level dietitian and nutritionists earn in Cleveland vs Upper Arlington?

Entry-level (10th percentile) dietitian and nutritionists earn $38,277 in Cleveland and $46,584 in Upper Arlington. The Upper Arlington 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