Dietitian Pay

Fort Myers vs Orlando: Dietitian and Nutritionist Salary (2026)

Compare dietitian and nutritionist salaries between Fort Myers, FL and Orlando, FL. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Fort Myers, FL
$80,716
$38.81/hr
Orlando, FL
$76,813
$36.93/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricFort Myers, FLOrlando, FL
Median Salary$80,716$76,813
Hourly Rate$38.81$36.93
Entry Level (P10)$50,215$38,900
25th Percentile$67,879$60,823
75th Percentile$92,159$82,798
Top Earner (P90)$113,343$94,913
Total Employed23540
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Fort Myers ($80,716) and Orlando ($76,813) dietitian and nutritionist salaries.Fort MyersOrlandoMedian Salary$80,716$76,813Entry Level (P10)$50,215$38,900Top Earner (P90)$113,343$94,913US Median $79,380

Verdict

Fort Myers, FL offers better overall compensation for dietitians and nutritionists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Orlando.

The salary gap between Fort Myers and Orlando is $3,903 (5.08%). Fort Myers's median is +1.68% compared to the US national median of $79,380.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Fort Myers spans $63,128,Orlando spans $56,013. Fort Myers has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Fort Myers
P10 (Entry)$50,215
P25$67,879
Median$80,716
P75$92,159
P90 (Top)$113,343
Orlando
P10 (Entry)$38,900
P25$60,823
Median$76,813
P75$82,798
P90 (Top)$94,913

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Fort Myers ($80,075 effective) pays 5.73% more than Orlando ($75,739 effective).

Fort Myers
Nominal: $80,716
CoL Index: 100.8
Adjusted: $80,075
Orlando
Nominal: $76,813
CoL Index: 101.418
Adjusted: $75,739

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Fort Myers if…

  • Higher median salary ($80,716/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($113,343)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $80,075)
  • You prefer the Florida area and lifestyle

Choose Orlando if…

  • Larger job market (540 employed)
  • You prefer the Florida area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dietitian and nutritionist salaries in Fort Myers grew 20.4% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 23.0% growth in Orlando over the same period.

Fort Myers, FL

+20.4%

$64,503 (2024) → $77,686 (2025)

Orlando, FL

+23.0%

$60,130 (2019) → $73,930 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dietitian and nutritionists more: Fort Myers or Orlando?

Fort Myers has a higher median dietitian and nutritionist salary at $80,716/year, compared to Orlando at $76,813/year — a difference of $3,903 (5.08%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Fort Myers and Orlando?

Fort Myers dietitian and nutritionists earn $38.81/hr while Orlando hygienists earn $36.93/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Fort Myers to Orlando as a dietitian and nutritionist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Fort Myers and Orlando. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Fort Myers = $80,075, Orlando = $75,739), job availability (23 vs 540 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level dietitian and nutritionists earn in Fort Myers vs Orlando?

Entry-level (10th percentile) dietitian and nutritionists earn $50,215 in Fort Myers and $38,900 in Orlando. The Fort Myers 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