Dietitian Pay

Columbus vs Toledo: Dietitian and Nutritionist Salary (2026)

Compare dietitian and nutritionist salaries between Columbus, OH and Toledo, OH. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Columbus, OH
$73,977
$35.56/hr
Toledo, OH
$73,540
$35.36/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricColumbus, OHToledo, OH
Median Salary$73,977$73,540
Hourly Rate$35.56$35.36
Entry Level (P10)$40,209$36,697
25th Percentile$64,013$62,257
75th Percentile$83,681$81,302
Top Earner (P90)$97,053$92,232
Total Employed680150
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Columbus ($73,977) and Toledo ($73,540) dietitian and nutritionist salaries.ColumbusToledoMedian Salary$73,977$73,540Entry Level (P10)$40,209$36,697Top Earner (P90)$97,053$92,232US Median $79,380

Verdict

Columbus, OH offers better overall compensation for dietitians and nutritionists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Toledo.

The salary gap between Columbus and Toledo is $437 (0.59%). Columbus's median is -6.81% compared to the US national median of $79,380.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Columbus spans $56,844,Toledo spans $55,535. Columbus has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Columbus
P10 (Entry)$40,209
P25$64,013
Median$73,977
P75$83,681
P90 (Top)$97,053
Toledo
P10 (Entry)$36,697
P25$62,257
Median$73,540
P75$81,302
P90 (Top)$92,232

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Toledo ($80,411 effective) pays 3.77% more than Columbus ($77,488 effective).

Columbus
Nominal: $73,977
CoL Index: 95.469
Adjusted: $77,488
Toledo
Nominal: $73,540
CoL Index: 91.455
Adjusted: $80,411

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Columbus if…

  • Higher median salary ($73,977/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($97,053)
  • Larger job market (680 employed)
  • You prefer the Ohio area and lifestyle

Choose Toledo if…

  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $80,411)
  • You prefer the Ohio area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dietitian and nutritionist salaries in Columbus grew 22.7% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 21.9% growth in Toledo over the same period.

Columbus, OH

+22.7%

$58,020 (2019) → $71,200 (2025)

Toledo, OH

+21.9%

$58,060 (2019) → $70,780 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dietitian and nutritionists more: Columbus or Toledo?

Columbus has a higher median dietitian and nutritionist salary at $73,977/year, compared to Toledo at $73,540/year — a difference of $437 (0.59%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Columbus and Toledo?

Columbus dietitian and nutritionists earn $35.56/hr while Toledo hygienists earn $35.36/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Columbus to Toledo as a dietitian and nutritionist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Columbus and Toledo. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Columbus = $77,488, Toledo = $80,411), job availability (680 vs 150 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level dietitian and nutritionists earn in Columbus vs Toledo?

Entry-level (10th percentile) dietitian and nutritionists earn $40,209 in Columbus and $36,697 in Toledo. The Columbus 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