Dietitian Pay

Highland vs Salt Lake City: Dietitian and Nutritionist Salary (2026)

Compare dietitian and nutritionist salaries between Highland, UT and Salt Lake City, UT. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Highland, UT
$60,624
$29.14/hr
Salt Lake City, UT
$72,491
$34.86/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricHighland, UTSalt Lake City, UT
Median Salary$60,624$72,491
Hourly Rate$29.14$34.86
Entry Level (P10)$39,215$51,420
25th Percentile$53,292$63,514
75th Percentile$67,775$88,970
Top Earner (P90)$75,399$105,375
Total Employed4450
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Highland ($60,624) and Salt Lake City ($72,491) dietitian and nutritionist salaries.HighlandSalt Lake CityMedian Salary$60,624$72,491Entry Level (P10)$39,215$51,420Top Earner (P90)$75,399$105,375US Median $79,380

Verdict

Salt Lake City, UT offers better overall compensation for dietitians and nutritionists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Highland.

The salary gap between Highland and Salt Lake City is $11,867 (19.57%). Salt Lake City's median is -8.68% compared to the US national median of $79,380.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Highland spans $36,184,Salt Lake City spans $53,955. Salt Lake City has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced dietitian and nutritionists.

Highland
P10 (Entry)$39,215
P25$53,292
Median$60,624
P75$67,775
P90 (Top)$75,399
Salt Lake City
P10 (Entry)$51,420
P25$63,514
Median$72,491
P75$88,970
P90 (Top)$105,375

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Salt Lake City ($71,867 effective) pays 16.29% more than Highland ($61,798 effective).

Highland
Nominal: $60,624
CoL Index: 98.1
Adjusted: $61,798
Salt Lake City
Nominal: $72,491
CoL Index: 100.868
Adjusted: $71,867

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Highland if…

  • You prefer the Utah area and lifestyle

Choose Salt Lake City if…

  • Higher median salary ($72,491/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($105,375)
  • Larger job market (450 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $71,867)
  • You prefer the Utah area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dietitian and nutritionist salaries in Highland grew -4.2% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 17.0% growth in Salt Lake City over the same period.

Highland, UT

+-4.2%

$60,932 (2024) → $58,348 (2025)

Salt Lake City, UT

+17.0%

$59,640 (2019) → $69,770 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dietitian and nutritionists more: Highland or Salt Lake City?

Salt Lake City has a higher median dietitian and nutritionist salary at $72,491/year, compared to Highland at $60,624/year — a difference of $11,867 (19.57%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Highland and Salt Lake City?

Highland dietitian and nutritionists earn $29.14/hr while Salt Lake City hygienists earn $34.86/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Highland to Salt Lake City as a dietitian and nutritionist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Highland and Salt Lake City. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Highland = $61,798, Salt Lake City = $71,867), job availability (4 vs 450 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level dietitian and nutritionists earn in Highland vs Salt Lake City?

Entry-level (10th percentile) dietitian and nutritionists earn $39,215 in Highland and $51,420 in Salt Lake City. The Salt Lake City 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