Dietitian Pay

Kirkland vs Seattle: Dietitian and Nutritionist Salary (2026)

Compare dietitian and nutritionist salaries between Kirkland, WA and Seattle, WA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Kirkland, WA
$81,710
$39.28/hr
Seattle, WA
$90,996
$43.75/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricKirkland, WASeattle, WA
Median Salary$81,710$90,996
Hourly Rate$39.28$43.75
Entry Level (P10)$50,321$63,608
25th Percentile$65,279$77,343
75th Percentile$94,792$107,194
Top Earner (P90)$108,752$120,763
Total Employed13880
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Kirkland ($81,710) and Seattle ($90,996) dietitian and nutritionist salaries.KirklandSeattleMedian Salary$81,710$90,996Entry Level (P10)$50,321$63,608Top Earner (P90)$108,752$120,763US Median $79,380

Verdict

Seattle, WA offers better overall compensation for dietitians and nutritionists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Kirkland.

The salary gap between Kirkland and Seattle is $9,286 (11.36%). Seattle's median is +14.63% compared to the US national median of $79,380.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Kirkland spans $58,431,Seattle spans $57,155. Kirkland has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Kirkland
P10 (Entry)$50,321
P25$65,279
Median$81,710
P75$94,792
P90 (Top)$108,752
Seattle
P10 (Entry)$63,608
P25$77,343
Median$90,996
P75$107,194
P90 (Top)$120,763

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Seattle ($81,880 effective) pays 7.62% more than Kirkland ($76,080 effective).

Kirkland
Nominal: $81,710
CoL Index: 107.4
Adjusted: $76,080
Seattle
Nominal: $90,996
CoL Index: 111.133
Adjusted: $81,880

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Kirkland if…

  • You prefer the Washington area and lifestyle

Choose Seattle if…

  • Higher median salary ($90,996/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($120,763)
  • Larger job market (880 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $81,880)
  • You prefer the Washington area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dietitian and nutritionist salaries in Kirkland grew -8.2% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 38.3% growth in Seattle over the same period.

Kirkland, WA

+-8.2%

$85,629 (2024) → $78,643 (2025)

Seattle, WA

+38.3%

$63,320 (2019) → $87,580 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dietitian and nutritionists more: Kirkland or Seattle?

Seattle has a higher median dietitian and nutritionist salary at $90,996/year, compared to Kirkland at $81,710/year — a difference of $9,286 (11.36%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Kirkland and Seattle?

Kirkland dietitian and nutritionists earn $39.28/hr while Seattle hygienists earn $43.75/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Kirkland to Seattle as a dietitian and nutritionist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Kirkland and Seattle. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Kirkland = $76,080, Seattle = $81,880), job availability (13 vs 880 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level dietitian and nutritionists earn in Kirkland vs Seattle?

Entry-level (10th percentile) dietitian and nutritionists earn $50,321 in Kirkland and $63,608 in Seattle. The Seattle 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