Dietitian Pay

Houston vs Temple: Dietitian and Nutritionist Salary (2026)

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

Houston, TX
$80,190
$38.55/hr
Temple, TX
$76,915
$36.98/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricHouston, TXTemple, TX
Median Salary$80,190$76,915
Hourly Rate$38.55$36.98
Entry Level (P10)$35,648$51,769
25th Percentile$62,693$64,690
75th Percentile$87,868$90,759
Top Earner (P90)$104,108$105,213
Total Employed1,34014
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Houston ($80,190) and Temple ($76,915) dietitian and nutritionist salaries.HoustonTempleMedian Salary$80,190$76,915Entry Level (P10)$35,648$51,769Top Earner (P90)$104,108$105,213US Median $79,380

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Houston and Temple is $3,275 (4.26%). 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 Houston spans $68,460,Temple spans $53,444. Houston has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Houston
P10 (Entry)$35,648
P25$62,693
Median$80,190
P75$87,868
P90 (Top)$104,108
Temple
P10 (Entry)$51,769
P25$64,690
Median$76,915
P75$90,759
P90 (Top)$105,213

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Houston ($81,305 effective) pays 1.48% more than Temple ($80,120 effective).

Houston
Nominal: $80,190
CoL Index: 98.629
Adjusted: $81,305
Temple
Nominal: $76,915
CoL Index: 96
Adjusted: $80,120

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Houston if…

  • Higher median salary ($80,190/year)
  • Larger job market (1,340 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $81,305)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Choose Temple if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($105,213)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dietitian and nutritionist salaries in Houston grew 30.5% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 19.0% growth in Temple over the same period.

Houston, TX

+30.5%

$59,160 (2019) → $77,180 (2025)

Temple, TX

+19.0%

$62,212 (2024) → $74,028 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dietitian and nutritionists more: Houston or Temple?

Houston has a higher median dietitian and nutritionist salary at $80,190/year, compared to Temple at $76,915/year — a difference of $3,275 (4.26%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Houston and Temple?

Houston dietitian and nutritionists earn $38.55/hr while Temple hygienists earn $36.98/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Houston and Temple. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Houston = $81,305, Temple = $80,120), job availability (1,340 vs 14 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) dietitian and nutritionists earn $35,648 in Houston and $51,769 in Temple. The Temple 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