Dietitian Pay

Johnston vs Pawtucket: Dietitian and Nutritionist Salary (2026)

Compare dietitian and nutritionist salaries between Johnston, RI and Pawtucket, RI. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Johnston, RI
$77,145
$37.09/hr
Pawtucket, RI
$79,689
$38.31/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricJohnston, RIPawtucket, RI
Median Salary$77,145$79,689
Hourly Rate$37.09$38.31
Entry Level (P10)$54,181$49,454
25th Percentile$64,646$63,887
75th Percentile$90,237$92,639
Top Earner (P90)$102,936$111,749
Total Employed816
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Johnston ($77,145) and Pawtucket ($79,689) dietitian and nutritionist salaries.JohnstonPawtucketMedian Salary$77,145$79,689Entry Level (P10)$54,181$49,454Top Earner (P90)$102,936$111,749US Median $79,380

Verdict

Pawtucket, RI offers better overall compensation for dietitians and nutritionists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Johnston.

The salary gap between Johnston and Pawtucket is $2,544 (3.30%). Pawtucket's median is +0.39% compared to the US national median of $79,380.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Johnston spans $48,755,Pawtucket spans $62,295. Pawtucket has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced dietitian and nutritionists.

Johnston
P10 (Entry)$54,181
P25$64,646
Median$77,145
P75$90,237
P90 (Top)$102,936
Pawtucket
P10 (Entry)$49,454
P25$63,887
Median$79,689
P75$92,639
P90 (Top)$111,749

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Pawtucket ($79,293 effective) pays 3.30% more than Johnston ($76,761 effective).

Johnston
Nominal: $77,145
CoL Index: 100.5
Adjusted: $76,761
Pawtucket
Nominal: $79,689
CoL Index: 100.5
Adjusted: $79,293

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Johnston if…

  • You prefer the Rhode Island area and lifestyle

Choose Pawtucket if…

  • Higher median salary ($79,689/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($111,749)
  • Larger job market (16 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $79,293)
  • You prefer the Rhode Island area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dietitian and nutritionist salaries in Johnston grew 9.1% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 9.1% growth in Pawtucket over the same period.

Johnston, RI

+9.1%

$68,029 (2024) → $74,249 (2025)

Pawtucket, RI

+9.1%

$70,273 (2024) → $76,698 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dietitian and nutritionists more: Johnston or Pawtucket?

Pawtucket has a higher median dietitian and nutritionist salary at $79,689/year, compared to Johnston at $77,145/year — a difference of $2,544 (3.30%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Johnston and Pawtucket?

Johnston dietitian and nutritionists earn $37.09/hr while Pawtucket hygienists earn $38.31/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Johnston to Pawtucket as a dietitian and nutritionist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Johnston and Pawtucket. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Johnston = $76,761, Pawtucket = $79,293), job availability (8 vs 16 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level dietitian and nutritionists earn in Johnston vs Pawtucket?

Entry-level (10th percentile) dietitian and nutritionists earn $54,181 in Johnston and $49,454 in Pawtucket. The Johnston 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