Dietitian Pay

Kingsport vs Nashville: Dietitian and Nutritionist Salary (2026)

Compare dietitian and nutritionist salaries between Kingsport, TN and Nashville, TN. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Kingsport, TN
$66,922
$32.18/hr
Nashville, TN
$77,000
$37.02/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricKingsport, TNNashville, TN
Median Salary$66,922$77,000
Hourly Rate$32.18$37.02
Entry Level (P10)$38,807$55,597
25th Percentile$56,667$67,036
75th Percentile$76,325$81,780
Top Earner (P90)$89,562$89,624
Total Employed30440
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Kingsport ($66,922) and Nashville ($77,000) dietitian and nutritionist salaries.KingsportNashvilleMedian Salary$66,922$77,000Entry Level (P10)$38,807$55,597Top Earner (P90)$89,562$89,624US Median $79,380

Verdict

Nashville, TN offers better overall compensation for dietitians and nutritionists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Kingsport.

The salary gap between Kingsport and Nashville is $10,078 (15.06%). Nashville's median is -3.00% compared to the US national median of $79,380.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Kingsport spans $50,755,Nashville spans $34,027. Kingsport has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Kingsport
P10 (Entry)$38,807
P25$56,667
Median$66,922
P75$76,325
P90 (Top)$89,562
Nashville
P10 (Entry)$55,597
P25$67,036
Median$77,000
P75$81,780
P90 (Top)$89,624

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Nashville ($79,927 effective) pays 3.25% more than Kingsport ($77,414 effective).

Kingsport
Nominal: $66,922
CoL Index: 86.447
Adjusted: $77,414
Nashville
Nominal: $77,000
CoL Index: 96.338
Adjusted: $79,927

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Kingsport if…

  • You prefer the Tennessee area and lifestyle

Choose Nashville if…

  • Higher median salary ($77,000/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($89,624)
  • Larger job market (440 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $79,927)
  • You prefer the Tennessee area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dietitian and nutritionist salaries in Kingsport grew 71.2% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 28.6% growth in Nashville over the same period.

Kingsport, TN

+71.2%

$37,630 (2019) → $64,410 (2025)

Nashville, TN

+28.6%

$57,650 (2019) → $74,110 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dietitian and nutritionists more: Kingsport or Nashville?

Nashville has a higher median dietitian and nutritionist salary at $77,000/year, compared to Kingsport at $66,922/year — a difference of $10,078 (15.06%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Kingsport and Nashville?

Kingsport dietitian and nutritionists earn $32.18/hr while Nashville hygienists earn $37.02/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Kingsport to Nashville as a dietitian and nutritionist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Kingsport and Nashville. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Kingsport = $77,414, Nashville = $79,927), job availability (30 vs 440 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level dietitian and nutritionists earn in Kingsport vs Nashville?

Entry-level (10th percentile) dietitian and nutritionists earn $38,807 in Kingsport and $55,597 in Nashville. The Nashville 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