Dietitian Pay

Kernersville vs Raleigh: Dietitian and Nutritionist Salary (2026)

Compare dietitian and nutritionist salaries between Kernersville, NC and Raleigh, NC. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Kernersville, NC
$69,254
$33.30/hr
Raleigh, NC
$71,909
$34.57/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricKernersville, NCRaleigh, NC
Median Salary$69,254$71,909
Hourly Rate$33.30$34.57
Entry Level (P10)$45,733$42,661
25th Percentile$57,426$64,231
75th Percentile$80,313$78,954
Top Earner (P90)$91,612$90,258
Total Employed6400
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Kernersville ($69,254) and Raleigh ($71,909) dietitian and nutritionist salaries.KernersvilleRaleighMedian Salary$69,254$71,909Entry Level (P10)$45,733$42,661Top Earner (P90)$91,612$90,258US Median $79,380

Verdict

Raleigh, NC offers better overall compensation for dietitians and nutritionists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Kernersville.

The salary gap between Kernersville and Raleigh is $2,655 (3.83%). Raleigh's median is -9.41% compared to the US national median of $79,380.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Kernersville spans $45,879,Raleigh spans $47,597. Raleigh has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced dietitian and nutritionists.

Kernersville
P10 (Entry)$45,733
P25$57,426
Median$69,254
P75$80,313
P90 (Top)$91,612
Raleigh
P10 (Entry)$42,661
P25$64,231
Median$71,909
P75$78,954
P90 (Top)$90,258

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Kernersville ($73,989 effective) pays 1.00% more than Raleigh ($73,259 effective).

Kernersville
Nominal: $69,254
CoL Index: 93.6
Adjusted: $73,989
Raleigh
Nominal: $71,909
CoL Index: 98.157
Adjusted: $73,259

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Kernersville if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($91,612)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $73,989)
  • You prefer the North Carolina area and lifestyle

Choose Raleigh if…

  • Higher median salary ($71,909/year)
  • Larger job market (400 employed)
  • You prefer the North Carolina area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dietitian and nutritionist salaries in Kernersville grew 15.9% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 23.1% growth in Raleigh over the same period.

Kernersville, NC

+15.9%

$57,500 (2024) → $66,654 (2025)

Raleigh, NC

+23.1%

$56,200 (2019) → $69,210 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dietitian and nutritionists more: Kernersville or Raleigh?

Raleigh has a higher median dietitian and nutritionist salary at $71,909/year, compared to Kernersville at $69,254/year — a difference of $2,655 (3.83%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Kernersville and Raleigh?

Kernersville dietitian and nutritionists earn $33.30/hr while Raleigh hygienists earn $34.57/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Kernersville to Raleigh as a dietitian and nutritionist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Kernersville and Raleigh. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Kernersville = $73,989, Raleigh = $73,259), job availability (6 vs 400 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level dietitian and nutritionists earn in Kernersville vs Raleigh?

Entry-level (10th percentile) dietitian and nutritionists earn $45,733 in Kernersville and $42,661 in Raleigh. The Kernersville 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