Dietitian Pay

Hartford vs West Haven: Dietitian and Nutritionist Salary (2026)

Compare dietitian and nutritionist salaries between Hartford, CT and West Haven, CT. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Hartford, CT
$83,390
$40.10/hr
West Haven, CT
$81,503
$39.18/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricHartford, CTWest Haven, CT
Median Salary$83,390$81,503
Hourly Rate$40.10$39.18
Entry Level (P10)$63,971$54,263
25th Percentile$71,296$68,103
75th Percentile$94,289$95,852
Top Earner (P90)$99,682$110,537
Total Employed31010
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Hartford ($83,390) and West Haven ($81,503) dietitian and nutritionist salaries.HartfordWest HavenMedian Salary$83,390$81,503Entry Level (P10)$63,971$54,263Top Earner (P90)$99,682$110,537US Median $79,380

Verdict

Hartford, CT offers better overall compensation for dietitians and nutritionists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to West Haven.

The salary gap between Hartford and West Haven is $1,887 (2.32%). Hartford's median is +5.05% compared to the US national median of $79,380.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Hartford spans $35,711,West Haven spans $56,274. West Haven has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced dietitian and nutritionists.

Hartford
P10 (Entry)$63,971
P25$71,296
Median$83,390
P75$94,289
P90 (Top)$99,682
West Haven
P10 (Entry)$54,263
P25$68,103
Median$81,503
P75$95,852
P90 (Top)$110,537

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Hartford ($81,161 effective) pays 7.45% more than West Haven ($75,536 effective).

Hartford
Nominal: $83,390
CoL Index: 102.746
Adjusted: $81,161
West Haven
Nominal: $81,503
CoL Index: 107.9
Adjusted: $75,536

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Hartford if…

  • Higher median salary ($83,390/year)
  • Larger job market (310 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $81,161)
  • You prefer the Connecticut area and lifestyle

Choose West Haven if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($110,537)
  • You prefer the Connecticut area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dietitian and nutritionist salaries in Hartford grew 17.1% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -2.1% growth in West Haven over the same period.

Hartford, CT

+17.1%

$68,530 (2019) → $80,260 (2025)

West Haven, CT

+-2.1%

$80,148 (2024) → $78,444 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dietitian and nutritionists more: Hartford or West Haven?

Hartford has a higher median dietitian and nutritionist salary at $83,390/year, compared to West Haven at $81,503/year — a difference of $1,887 (2.32%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Hartford and West Haven?

Hartford dietitian and nutritionists earn $40.10/hr while West Haven hygienists earn $39.18/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Hartford to West Haven as a dietitian and nutritionist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Hartford and West Haven. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Hartford = $81,161, West Haven = $75,536), job availability (310 vs 10 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level dietitian and nutritionists earn in Hartford vs West Haven?

Entry-level (10th percentile) dietitian and nutritionists earn $63,971 in Hartford and $54,263 in West Haven. The Hartford 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