Dietitian Pay

Lake Stevens vs Spokane: Dietitian and Nutritionist Salary (2026)

Compare dietitian and nutritionist salaries between Lake Stevens, WA and Spokane, WA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Lake Stevens, WA
$79,295
$38.12/hr
Spokane, WA
$80,346
$38.63/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricLake Stevens, WASpokane, WA
Median Salary$79,295$80,346
Hourly Rate$38.12$38.63
Entry Level (P10)$55,378$62,787
25th Percentile$68,226$68,179
75th Percentile$89,671$90,071
Top Earner (P90)$101,141$96,367
Total Employed9130
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Lake Stevens ($79,295) and Spokane ($80,346) dietitian and nutritionist salaries.Lake StevensSpokaneMedian Salary$79,295$80,346Entry Level (P10)$55,378$62,787Top Earner (P90)$101,141$96,367US Median $79,380

Verdict

Spokane, WA offers better overall compensation for dietitians and nutritionists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Lake Stevens.

The salary gap between Lake Stevens and Spokane is $1,051 (1.33%). Spokane's median is +1.22% compared to the US national median of $79,380.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Lake Stevens spans $45,763,Spokane spans $33,580. Lake Stevens has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Lake Stevens
P10 (Entry)$55,378
P25$68,226
Median$79,295
P75$89,671
P90 (Top)$101,141
Spokane
P10 (Entry)$62,787
P25$68,179
Median$80,346
P75$90,071
P90 (Top)$96,367

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Spokane ($80,069 effective) pays 8.45% more than Lake Stevens ($73,831 effective).

Lake Stevens
Nominal: $79,295
CoL Index: 107.4
Adjusted: $73,831
Spokane
Nominal: $80,346
CoL Index: 100.346
Adjusted: $80,069

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Lake Stevens if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($101,141)
  • You prefer the Washington area and lifestyle

Choose Spokane if…

  • Higher median salary ($80,346/year)
  • Larger job market (130 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $80,069)
  • You prefer the Washington area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dietitian and nutritionist salaries in Lake Stevens grew -8.2% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 27.2% growth in Spokane over the same period.

Lake Stevens, WA

+-8.2%

$83,099 (2024) → $76,319 (2025)

Spokane, WA

+27.2%

$60,790 (2019) → $77,330 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dietitian and nutritionists more: Lake Stevens or Spokane?

Spokane has a higher median dietitian and nutritionist salary at $80,346/year, compared to Lake Stevens at $79,295/year — a difference of $1,051 (1.33%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Lake Stevens and Spokane?

Lake Stevens dietitian and nutritionists earn $38.12/hr while Spokane hygienists earn $38.63/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Lake Stevens to Spokane as a dietitian and nutritionist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Lake Stevens and Spokane. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Lake Stevens = $73,831, Spokane = $80,069), job availability (9 vs 130 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level dietitian and nutritionists earn in Lake Stevens vs Spokane?

Entry-level (10th percentile) dietitian and nutritionists earn $55,378 in Lake Stevens and $62,787 in Spokane. The Spokane 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