Dietitian Pay

Lincoln vs Omaha: Dietitian and Nutritionist Salary (2026)

Compare dietitian and nutritionist salaries between Lincoln, NE and Omaha, NE. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Lincoln, NE
$70,558
$33.92/hr
Omaha, NE
$72,907
$35.06/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricLincoln, NEOmaha, NE
Median Salary$70,558$72,907
Hourly Rate$33.92$35.06
Entry Level (P10)$51,545$62,579
25th Percentile$63,701$62,579
75th Percentile$80,294$84,086
Top Earner (P90)$86,445$93,042
Total Employed100320
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Lincoln ($70,558) and Omaha ($72,907) dietitian and nutritionist salaries.LincolnOmahaMedian Salary$70,558$72,907Entry Level (P10)$51,545$62,579Top Earner (P90)$86,445$93,042US Median $79,380

Verdict

Omaha, NE offers better overall compensation for dietitians and nutritionists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Lincoln.

The salary gap between Lincoln and Omaha is $2,349 (3.33%). Omaha's median is -8.15% compared to the US national median of $79,380.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Lincoln spans $34,900,Omaha spans $30,463. Lincoln has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Lincoln
P10 (Entry)$51,545
P25$63,701
Median$70,558
P75$80,294
P90 (Top)$86,445
Omaha
P10 (Entry)$62,579
P25$62,579
Median$72,907
P75$84,086
P90 (Top)$93,042

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Omaha ($79,323 effective) pays 2.96% more than Lincoln ($77,044 effective).

Lincoln
Nominal: $70,558
CoL Index: 91.581
Adjusted: $77,044
Omaha
Nominal: $72,907
CoL Index: 91.911
Adjusted: $79,323

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Lincoln if…

  • You prefer the Nebraska area and lifestyle

Choose Omaha if…

  • Higher median salary ($72,907/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($93,042)
  • Larger job market (320 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $79,323)
  • You prefer the Nebraska area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dietitian and nutritionist salaries in Lincoln grew 17.8% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 18.9% growth in Omaha over the same period.

Lincoln, NE

+17.8%

$57,660 (2019) → $67,910 (2025)

Omaha, NE

+18.9%

$59,020 (2019) → $70,170 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dietitian and nutritionists more: Lincoln or Omaha?

Omaha has a higher median dietitian and nutritionist salary at $72,907/year, compared to Lincoln at $70,558/year — a difference of $2,349 (3.33%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Lincoln and Omaha?

Lincoln dietitian and nutritionists earn $33.92/hr while Omaha hygienists earn $35.06/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Lincoln to Omaha as a dietitian and nutritionist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Lincoln and Omaha. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Lincoln = $77,044, Omaha = $79,323), job availability (100 vs 320 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level dietitian and nutritionists earn in Lincoln vs Omaha?

Entry-level (10th percentile) dietitian and nutritionists earn $51,545 in Lincoln and $62,579 in Omaha. The Omaha 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