Dietitian Pay

Dallas vs Richardson: Dietitian and Nutritionist Salary (2026)

Compare dietitian and nutritionist salaries between Dallas, TX and Richardson, TX. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Dallas, TX
$80,564
$38.73/hr
Richardson, TX
$74,598
$35.87/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricDallas, TXRichardson, TX
Median Salary$80,564$74,598
Hourly Rate$38.73$35.87
Entry Level (P10)$52,677$44,609
25th Percentile$65,852$63,060
75th Percentile$95,754$87,099
Top Earner (P90)$102,903$100,664
Total Employed1,32024
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Dallas ($80,564) and Richardson ($74,598) dietitian and nutritionist salaries.DallasRichardsonMedian Salary$80,564$74,598Entry Level (P10)$52,677$44,609Top Earner (P90)$102,903$100,664US Median $79,380

Verdict

Dallas, TX offers better overall compensation for dietitians and nutritionists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Richardson.

The salary gap between Dallas and Richardson is $5,966 (8.00%). Dallas's median is +1.49% compared to the US national median of $79,380.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Dallas spans $50,226,Richardson spans $56,055. Richardson has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced dietitian and nutritionists.

Dallas
P10 (Entry)$52,677
P25$65,852
Median$80,564
P75$95,754
P90 (Top)$102,903
Richardson
P10 (Entry)$44,609
P25$63,060
Median$74,598
P75$87,099
P90 (Top)$100,664

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Dallas ($78,149 effective) pays 0.57% more than Richardson ($77,706 effective).

Dallas
Nominal: $80,564
CoL Index: 103.09
Adjusted: $78,149
Richardson
Nominal: $74,598
CoL Index: 96
Adjusted: $77,706

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Dallas if…

  • Higher median salary ($80,564/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($102,903)
  • Larger job market (1,320 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $78,149)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Choose Richardson if…

  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dietitian and nutritionist salaries in Dallas grew 38.5% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 11.9% growth in Richardson over the same period.

Dallas, TX

+38.5%

$55,970 (2019) → $77,540 (2025)

Richardson, TX

+11.9%

$64,145 (2024) → $71,798 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dietitian and nutritionists more: Dallas or Richardson?

Dallas has a higher median dietitian and nutritionist salary at $80,564/year, compared to Richardson at $74,598/year — a difference of $5,966 (8.00%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Dallas and Richardson?

Dallas dietitian and nutritionists earn $38.73/hr while Richardson hygienists earn $35.87/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Dallas to Richardson as a dietitian and nutritionist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Dallas and Richardson. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Dallas = $78,149, Richardson = $77,706), job availability (1,320 vs 24 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level dietitian and nutritionists earn in Dallas vs Richardson?

Entry-level (10th percentile) dietitian and nutritionists earn $52,677 in Dallas and $44,609 in Richardson. The Dallas 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