Dietitian Pay

Houston vs Wichita Falls: Dietitian and Nutritionist Salary (2026)

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

Houston, TX
$80,190
$38.55/hr
Wichita Falls, TX
$69,135
$33.24/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricHouston, TXWichita Falls, TX
Median Salary$80,190$69,135
Hourly Rate$38.55$33.24
Entry Level (P10)$35,648$38,360
25th Percentile$62,693$52,355
75th Percentile$87,868$81,499
Top Earner (P90)$104,108$95,827
Total Employed1,34040
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Houston ($80,190) and Wichita Falls ($69,135) dietitian and nutritionist salaries.HoustonWichita FallsMedian Salary$80,190$69,135Entry Level (P10)$35,648$38,360Top Earner (P90)$104,108$95,827US Median $79,380

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Houston and Wichita Falls is $11,055 (15.99%). 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,Wichita Falls spans $57,467. 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
Wichita Falls
P10 (Entry)$38,360
P25$52,355
Median$69,135
P75$81,499
P90 (Top)$95,827

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Houston ($81,305 effective) pays 5.27% more than Wichita Falls ($77,235 effective).

Houston
Nominal: $80,190
CoL Index: 98.629
Adjusted: $81,305
Wichita Falls
Nominal: $69,135
CoL Index: 89.513
Adjusted: $77,235

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)
  • Better top-earner potential ($104,108)
  • Larger job market (1,340 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $81,305)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Choose Wichita Falls if…

  • 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 23.6% growth in Wichita Falls over the same period.

Houston, TX

+30.5%

$59,160 (2019) → $77,180 (2025)

Wichita Falls, TX

+23.6%

$53,840 (2020) → $66,540 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dietitian and nutritionists more: Houston or Wichita Falls?

Houston has a higher median dietitian and nutritionist salary at $80,190/year, compared to Wichita Falls at $69,135/year — a difference of $11,055 (15.99%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Houston and Wichita Falls?

Houston dietitian and nutritionists earn $38.55/hr while Wichita Falls hygienists earn $33.24/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Houston and Wichita Falls. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Houston = $81,305, Wichita Falls = $77,235), job availability (1,340 vs 40 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) dietitian and nutritionists earn $35,648 in Houston and $38,360 in Wichita Falls. The Wichita Falls 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