Dietitian Pay

Durham vs Mooresville: Dietitian and Nutritionist Salary (2026)

Compare dietitian and nutritionist salaries between Durham, NC and Mooresville, NC. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Durham, NC
$77,541
$37.28/hr
Mooresville, NC
$67,230
$32.32/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricDurham, NCMooresville, NC
Median Salary$77,541$67,230
Hourly Rate$37.28$32.32
Entry Level (P10)$62,330$46,561
25th Percentile$67,369$57,399
75th Percentile$85,240$75,645
Top Earner (P90)$95,837$91,397
Total Employed34013
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Durham ($77,541) and Mooresville ($67,230) dietitian and nutritionist salaries.DurhamMooresvilleMedian Salary$77,541$67,230Entry Level (P10)$62,330$46,561Top Earner (P90)$95,837$91,397US Median $79,380

Verdict

Durham, NC offers better overall compensation for dietitians and nutritionists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Mooresville.

The salary gap between Durham and Mooresville is $10,311 (15.34%). Durham's median is -2.32% compared to the US national median of $79,380.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Durham spans $33,507,Mooresville spans $44,836. Mooresville has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced dietitian and nutritionists.

Durham
P10 (Entry)$62,330
P25$67,369
Median$77,541
P75$85,240
P90 (Top)$95,837
Mooresville
P10 (Entry)$46,561
P25$57,399
Median$67,230
P75$75,645
P90 (Top)$91,397

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Durham ($79,471 effective) pays 10.64% more than Mooresville ($71,827 effective).

Durham
Nominal: $77,541
CoL Index: 97.572
Adjusted: $79,471
Mooresville
Nominal: $67,230
CoL Index: 93.6
Adjusted: $71,827

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Durham if…

  • Higher median salary ($77,541/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($95,837)
  • Larger job market (340 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $79,471)
  • You prefer the North Carolina area and lifestyle

Choose Mooresville if…

  • You prefer the North Carolina area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dietitian and nutritionist salaries in Durham grew 21.3% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 15.9% growth in Mooresville over the same period.

Durham, NC

+21.3%

$61,510 (2019) → $74,630 (2025)

Mooresville, NC

+15.9%

$55,820 (2024) → $64,706 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dietitian and nutritionists more: Durham or Mooresville?

Durham has a higher median dietitian and nutritionist salary at $77,541/year, compared to Mooresville at $67,230/year — a difference of $10,311 (15.34%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Durham and Mooresville?

Durham dietitian and nutritionists earn $37.28/hr while Mooresville hygienists earn $32.32/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Durham to Mooresville as a dietitian and nutritionist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Durham and Mooresville. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Durham = $79,471, Mooresville = $71,827), job availability (340 vs 13 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level dietitian and nutritionists earn in Durham vs Mooresville?

Entry-level (10th percentile) dietitian and nutritionists earn $62,330 in Durham and $46,561 in Mooresville. The Durham 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