Dietitian Pay

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

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

Houma, LA
$72,260
$34.74/hr
New Orleans, LA
$76,034
$36.55/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricHouma, LANew Orleans, LA
Median Salary$72,260$76,034
Hourly Rate$34.74$36.55
Entry Level (P10)$50,512$61,602
25th Percentile$62,208$71,785
75th Percentile$81,750$87,962
Top Earner (P90)$92,225$100,575
Total Employed6190
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Houma ($72,260) and New Orleans ($76,034) dietitian and nutritionist salaries.HoumaNew OrleansMedian Salary$72,260$76,034Entry Level (P10)$50,512$61,602Top Earner (P90)$92,225$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 Houma.

The salary gap between Houma and New Orleans is $3,774 (5.22%). 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 Houma spans $41,713,New Orleans spans $38,973. Houma has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Houma
P10 (Entry)$50,512
P25$62,208
Median$72,260
P75$81,750
P90 (Top)$92,225
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 2.61% more than Houma ($80,022 effective).

Houma
Nominal: $72,260
CoL Index: 90.3
Adjusted: $80,022
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 Houma 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 Houma grew 35.4% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 33.1% growth in New Orleans over the same period.

Houma, LA

+35.4%

$51,380 (2019) → $69,548 (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: Houma or New Orleans?

New Orleans has a higher median dietitian and nutritionist salary at $76,034/year, compared to Houma at $72,260/year — a difference of $3,774 (5.22%).

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

Houma dietitian and nutritionists earn $34.74/hr while New Orleans hygienists earn $36.55/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Houma and New Orleans. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Houma = $80,022, New Orleans = $82,113), job availability (6 vs 190 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) dietitian and nutritionists earn $50,512 in Houma 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