Dietitian Pay

Elizabethtown vs Louisville: Dietitian and Nutritionist Salary (2026)

Compare dietitian and nutritionist salaries between Elizabethtown, KY and Louisville, KY. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Elizabethtown, KY
$69,273
$33.30/hr
Louisville, KY
$77,283
$37.15/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricElizabethtown, KYLouisville, KY
Median Salary$69,273$77,283
Hourly Rate$33.30$37.15
Entry Level (P10)$44,073$45,658
25th Percentile$56,261$60,508
75th Percentile$77,748$92,167
Top Earner (P90)$93,852$108,509
Total Employed5132
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Elizabethtown ($69,273) and Louisville ($77,283) dietitian and nutritionist salaries.ElizabethtownLouisvilleMedian Salary$69,273$77,283Entry Level (P10)$44,073$45,658Top Earner (P90)$93,852$108,509US Median $79,380

Verdict

Louisville, KY offers better overall compensation for dietitians and nutritionists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Elizabethtown.

The salary gap between Elizabethtown and Louisville is $8,010 (11.56%). Louisville's median is -2.64% compared to the US national median of $79,380.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Elizabethtown spans $49,779,Louisville spans $62,851. Louisville has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced dietitian and nutritionists.

Elizabethtown
P10 (Entry)$44,073
P25$56,261
Median$69,273
P75$77,748
P90 (Top)$93,852
Louisville
P10 (Entry)$45,658
P25$60,508
Median$77,283
P75$92,167
P90 (Top)$108,509

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Louisville ($86,543 effective) pays 11.56% more than Elizabethtown ($77,573 effective).

Elizabethtown
Nominal: $69,273
CoL Index: 89.3
Adjusted: $77,573
Louisville
Nominal: $77,283
CoL Index: 89.3
Adjusted: $86,543

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Elizabethtown if…

  • You prefer the Kentucky area and lifestyle

Choose Louisville if…

  • Higher median salary ($77,283/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($108,509)
  • Larger job market (132 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $86,543)
  • You prefer the Kentucky area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dietitian and nutritionist salaries in Elizabethtown grew 27.3% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 27.3% growth in Louisville over the same period.

Elizabethtown, KY

+27.3%

$52,361 (2024) → $66,673 (2025)

Louisville, KY

+27.3%

$58,415 (2024) → $74,382 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dietitian and nutritionists more: Elizabethtown or Louisville?

Louisville has a higher median dietitian and nutritionist salary at $77,283/year, compared to Elizabethtown at $69,273/year — a difference of $8,010 (11.56%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Elizabethtown and Louisville?

Elizabethtown dietitian and nutritionists earn $33.30/hr while Louisville hygienists earn $37.15/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Elizabethtown to Louisville as a dietitian and nutritionist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Elizabethtown and Louisville. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Elizabethtown = $77,573, Louisville = $86,543), job availability (5 vs 132 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level dietitian and nutritionists earn in Elizabethtown vs Louisville?

Entry-level (10th percentile) dietitian and nutritionists earn $44,073 in Elizabethtown and $45,658 in Louisville. The Louisville 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