Dietitian Pay

Hammond vs New Orleans: Dietitian and Nutritionist Salary (2026)

Compare dietitian and nutritionist salaries between Hammond, LA and New Orleans, LA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Hammond, LA
$65,156
$31.33/hr
New Orleans, LA
$76,034
$36.55/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricHammond, LANew Orleans, LA
Median Salary$65,156$76,034
Hourly Rate$31.33$36.55
Entry Level (P10)$36,084$61,602
25th Percentile$62,132$71,785
75th Percentile$80,647$87,962
Top Earner (P90)$84,533$100,575
Total Employed40190
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Hammond ($65,156) and New Orleans ($76,034) dietitian and nutritionist salaries.HammondNew OrleansMedian Salary$65,156$76,034Entry Level (P10)$36,084$61,602Top Earner (P90)$84,533$100,575US Median $79,380

Verdict

New Orleans, LA offers better overall compensation for dietitians and nutritionists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Hammond.

The salary gap between Hammond and New Orleans is $10,878 (16.70%). New Orleans's median is -4.22% compared to the US national median of $79,380.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Hammond spans $48,449,New Orleans spans $38,973. Hammond has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Hammond
P10 (Entry)$36,084
P25$62,132
Median$65,156
P75$80,647
P90 (Top)$84,533
New Orleans
P10 (Entry)$61,602
P25$71,785
Median$76,034
P75$87,962
P90 (Top)$100,575

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, New Orleans ($82,113 effective) pays 6.44% more than Hammond ($77,144 effective).

Hammond
Nominal: $65,156
CoL Index: 84.46
Adjusted: $77,144
New Orleans
Nominal: $76,034
CoL Index: 92.597
Adjusted: $82,113

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Hammond if…

  • You prefer the Louisiana area and lifestyle

Choose New Orleans if…

  • Higher median salary ($76,034/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($100,575)
  • Larger job market (190 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $82,113)
  • You prefer the Louisiana area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dietitian and nutritionist salaries in Hammond grew 6.1% from 2020 to 2025, compared to 33.1% growth in New Orleans over the same period.

Hammond, LA

+6.1%

$59,080 (2020) → $62,710 (2025)

New Orleans, LA

+33.1%

$55,000 (2019) → $73,180 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dietitian and nutritionists more: Hammond or New Orleans?

New Orleans has a higher median dietitian and nutritionist salary at $76,034/year, compared to Hammond at $65,156/year — a difference of $10,878 (16.70%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Hammond and New Orleans?

Hammond dietitian and nutritionists earn $31.33/hr while New Orleans hygienists earn $36.55/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Hammond to New Orleans as a dietitian and nutritionist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Hammond and New Orleans. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Hammond = $77,144, New Orleans = $82,113), job availability (40 vs 190 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level dietitian and nutritionists earn in Hammond vs New Orleans?

Entry-level (10th percentile) dietitian and nutritionists earn $36,084 in Hammond and $61,602 in New Orleans. The New Orleans 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