Dietitian Pay

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

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

Fort Wayne, IN
$78,922
$37.94/hr
Franklin, IN
$68,701
$33.03/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricFort Wayne, INFranklin, IN
Median Salary$78,922$68,701
Hourly Rate$37.94$33.03
Entry Level (P10)$54,496$44,461
25th Percentile$65,945$56,298
75th Percentile$82,569$79,126
Top Earner (P90)$101,718$89,643
Total Employed1706
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Fort Wayne ($78,922) and Franklin ($68,701) dietitian and nutritionist salaries.Fort WayneFranklinMedian Salary$78,922$68,701Entry Level (P10)$54,496$44,461Top Earner (P90)$101,718$89,643US Median $79,380

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Fort Wayne and Franklin is $10,221 (14.88%). 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 Fort Wayne spans $47,222,Franklin spans $45,182. Fort Wayne has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Fort Wayne
P10 (Entry)$54,496
P25$65,945
Median$78,922
P75$82,569
P90 (Top)$101,718
Franklin
P10 (Entry)$44,461
P25$56,298
Median$68,701
P75$79,126
P90 (Top)$89,643

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Fort Wayne ($85,255 effective) pays 13.30% more than Franklin ($75,248 effective).

Fort Wayne
Nominal: $78,922
CoL Index: 92.572
Adjusted: $85,255
Franklin
Nominal: $68,701
CoL Index: 91.3
Adjusted: $75,248

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

Which City Is Right for You?

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

Choose Franklin if…

  • You prefer the Indiana area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dietitian and nutritionist salaries in Fort Wayne grew 38.4% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 18.8% growth in Franklin over the same period.

Fort Wayne, IN

+38.4%

$54,900 (2019) → $75,960 (2025)

Franklin, IN

+18.8%

$55,648 (2024) → $66,122 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Fort Wayne has a higher median dietitian and nutritionist salary at $78,922/year, compared to Franklin at $68,701/year — a difference of $10,221 (14.88%).

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

Fort Wayne dietitian and nutritionists earn $37.94/hr while Franklin hygienists earn $33.03/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Fort Wayne and Franklin. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Fort Wayne = $85,255, Franklin = $75,248), job availability (170 vs 6 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) dietitian and nutritionists earn $54,496 in Fort Wayne and $44,461 in Franklin. 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