Dietitian Pay

Evansville vs Fort Wayne: Dietitian and Nutritionist Salary (2026)

Compare dietitian and nutritionist salaries between Evansville, IN and Fort Wayne, IN. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Evansville, IN
$68,418
$32.89/hr
Fort Wayne, IN
$78,922
$37.94/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricEvansville, INFort Wayne, IN
Median Salary$68,418$78,922
Hourly Rate$32.89$37.94
Entry Level (P10)$42,651$54,496
25th Percentile$56,012$65,945
75th Percentile$74,974$82,569
Top Earner (P90)$81,021$101,718
Total Employed60170
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Evansville ($68,418) and Fort Wayne ($78,922) dietitian and nutritionist salaries.EvansvilleFort WayneMedian Salary$68,418$78,922Entry Level (P10)$42,651$54,496Top Earner (P90)$81,021$101,718US Median $79,380

Verdict

Fort Wayne, IN offers better overall compensation for dietitians and nutritionists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Evansville.

The salary gap between Evansville and Fort Wayne is $10,504 (15.35%). Fort Wayne's median is -0.58% compared to the US national median of $79,380.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Evansville spans $38,370,Fort Wayne spans $47,222. Fort Wayne has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced dietitian and nutritionists.

Evansville
P10 (Entry)$42,651
P25$56,012
Median$68,418
P75$74,974
P90 (Top)$81,021
Fort Wayne
P10 (Entry)$54,496
P25$65,945
Median$78,922
P75$82,569
P90 (Top)$101,718

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Fort Wayne ($85,255 effective) pays 14.05% more than Evansville ($74,751 effective).

Evansville
Nominal: $68,418
CoL Index: 91.528
Adjusted: $74,751
Fort Wayne
Nominal: $78,922
CoL Index: 92.572
Adjusted: $85,255

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Evansville if…

  • You prefer the Indiana area and lifestyle

Choose Fort Wayne if…

  • Higher median salary ($78,922/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($101,718)
  • Larger job market (170 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $85,255)
  • You prefer the Indiana area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dietitian and nutritionist salaries in Evansville grew 24.3% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 38.4% growth in Fort Wayne over the same period.

Evansville, IN

+24.3%

$52,990 (2019) → $65,850 (2025)

Fort Wayne, IN

+38.4%

$54,900 (2019) → $75,960 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dietitian and nutritionists more: Evansville or Fort Wayne?

Fort Wayne has a higher median dietitian and nutritionist salary at $78,922/year, compared to Evansville at $68,418/year — a difference of $10,504 (15.35%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Evansville and Fort Wayne?

Evansville dietitian and nutritionists earn $32.89/hr while Fort Wayne hygienists earn $37.94/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Evansville to Fort Wayne as a dietitian and nutritionist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Evansville and Fort Wayne. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Evansville = $74,751, Fort Wayne = $85,255), job availability (60 vs 170 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level dietitian and nutritionists earn in Evansville vs Fort Wayne?

Entry-level (10th percentile) dietitian and nutritionists earn $42,651 in Evansville and $54,496 in Fort Wayne. The Fort Wayne 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