Dietitian Pay

Liberty vs Springfield: Dietitian and Nutritionist Salary (2026)

Compare dietitian and nutritionist salaries between Liberty, MO and Springfield, MO. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Liberty, MO
$65,290
$31.39/hr
Springfield, MO
$65,945
$31.70/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricLiberty, MOSpringfield, MO
Median Salary$65,290$65,945
Hourly Rate$31.39$31.70
Entry Level (P10)$42,245$39,066
25th Percentile$53,700$54,703
75th Percentile$73,882$77,073
Top Earner (P90)$83,358$89,479
Total Employed5150
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Liberty ($65,290) and Springfield ($65,945) dietitian and nutritionist salaries.LibertySpringfieldMedian Salary$65,290$65,945Entry Level (P10)$42,245$39,066Top Earner (P90)$83,358$89,479US Median $79,380

Verdict

Springfield, MO offers better overall compensation for dietitians and nutritionists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Liberty.

The salary gap between Liberty and Springfield is $655 (1.00%). Springfield's median is -16.92% compared to the US national median of $79,380.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Liberty spans $41,113,Springfield spans $50,413. Springfield has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced dietitian and nutritionists.

Liberty
P10 (Entry)$42,245
P25$53,700
Median$65,290
P75$73,882
P90 (Top)$83,358
Springfield
P10 (Entry)$39,066
P25$54,703
Median$65,945
P75$77,073
P90 (Top)$89,479

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Springfield ($74,443 effective) pays 2.16% more than Liberty ($72,868 effective).

Liberty
Nominal: $65,290
CoL Index: 89.6
Adjusted: $72,868
Springfield
Nominal: $65,945
CoL Index: 88.585
Adjusted: $74,443

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Liberty if…

  • You prefer the Missouri area and lifestyle

Choose Springfield if…

  • Higher median salary ($65,945/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($89,479)
  • Larger job market (150 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $74,443)
  • You prefer the Missouri area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dietitian and nutritionist salaries in Liberty grew 14.8% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 24.7% growth in Springfield over the same period.

Liberty, MO

+14.8%

$54,745 (2024) → $62,839 (2025)

Springfield, MO

+24.7%

$50,910 (2019) → $63,470 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dietitian and nutritionists more: Liberty or Springfield?

Springfield has a higher median dietitian and nutritionist salary at $65,945/year, compared to Liberty at $65,290/year — a difference of $655 (1.00%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Liberty and Springfield?

Liberty dietitian and nutritionists earn $31.39/hr while Springfield hygienists earn $31.70/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Liberty to Springfield as a dietitian and nutritionist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Liberty and Springfield. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Liberty = $72,868, Springfield = $74,443), job availability (5 vs 150 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level dietitian and nutritionists earn in Liberty vs Springfield?

Entry-level (10th percentile) dietitian and nutritionists earn $42,245 in Liberty and $39,066 in Springfield. The Liberty 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