Dietitian Pay

Fort Worth vs Houston: Dietitian and Nutritionist Salary (2026)

Compare dietitian and nutritionist salaries between Fort Worth, TX and Houston, TX. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Fort Worth, TX
$80,038
$38.48/hr
Houston, TX
$80,190
$38.55/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricFort Worth, TXHouston, TX
Median Salary$80,038$80,190
Hourly Rate$38.48$38.55
Entry Level (P10)$51,511$35,648
25th Percentile$65,853$62,693
75th Percentile$96,941$87,868
Top Earner (P90)$115,242$104,108
Total Employed2191,340
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Fort Worth ($80,038) and Houston ($80,190) dietitian and nutritionist salaries.Fort WorthHoustonMedian Salary$80,038$80,190Entry Level (P10)$51,511$35,648Top Earner (P90)$115,242$104,108US Median $79,380

Verdict

Houston, TX offers better overall compensation for dietitians and nutritionists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Fort Worth.

The salary gap between Fort Worth and Houston is $152 (0.19%). Houston's median is +1.02% compared to the US national median of $79,380.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Fort Worth spans $63,731,Houston spans $68,460. Houston has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced dietitian and nutritionists.

Fort Worth
P10 (Entry)$51,511
P25$65,853
Median$80,038
P75$96,941
P90 (Top)$115,242
Houston
P10 (Entry)$35,648
P25$62,693
Median$80,190
P75$87,868
P90 (Top)$104,108

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Fort Worth ($83,373 effective) pays 2.54% more than Houston ($81,305 effective).

Fort Worth
Nominal: $80,038
CoL Index: 96
Adjusted: $83,373
Houston
Nominal: $80,190
CoL Index: 98.629
Adjusted: $81,305

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Fort Worth if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($115,242)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $83,373)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Choose Houston if…

  • Higher median salary ($80,190/year)
  • Larger job market (1,340 employed)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dietitian and nutritionist salaries in Fort Worth grew 13.3% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 30.5% growth in Houston over the same period.

Fort Worth, TX

+13.3%

$67,983 (2024) → $77,034 (2025)

Houston, TX

+30.5%

$59,160 (2019) → $77,180 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dietitian and nutritionists more: Fort Worth or Houston?

Houston has a higher median dietitian and nutritionist salary at $80,190/year, compared to Fort Worth at $80,038/year — a difference of $152 (0.19%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Fort Worth and Houston?

Fort Worth dietitian and nutritionists earn $38.48/hr while Houston hygienists earn $38.55/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Fort Worth to Houston as a dietitian and nutritionist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Fort Worth and Houston. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Fort Worth = $83,373, Houston = $81,305), job availability (219 vs 1,340 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level dietitian and nutritionists earn in Fort Worth vs Houston?

Entry-level (10th percentile) dietitian and nutritionists earn $51,511 in Fort Worth and $35,648 in Houston. The Fort Worth 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