Dietitian Pay

Louisville/Jefferson County vs Louisville: Dietitian and Nutritionist Salary (2026)

Compare dietitian and nutritionist salaries between Louisville/Jefferson County, KY and Louisville, KY. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Louisville/Jefferson County, KY
$76,689
$36.87/hr
Louisville, KY
$77,283
$37.15/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricLouisville/Jefferson County, KYLouisville, KY
Median Salary$76,689$77,283
Hourly Rate$36.87$37.15
Entry Level (P10)$33,082$45,658
25th Percentile$50,516$60,508
75th Percentile$82,601$92,167
Top Earner (P90)$93,385$108,509
Total Employed350132
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Louisville/Jefferson County ($76,689) and Louisville ($77,283) dietitian and nutritionist salaries.Louisville/Jefferson CountyLouisvilleMedian Salary$76,689$77,283Entry Level (P10)$33,082$45,658Top Earner (P90)$93,385$108,509US Median $79,380

Verdict

Louisville, KY offers better overall compensation for dietitians and nutritionists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Louisville/Jefferson County.

The salary gap between Louisville/Jefferson County and Louisville is $594 (0.77%). Louisville's median is -2.64% compared to the US national median of $79,380.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Louisville/Jefferson County spans $60,303,Louisville spans $62,851. Louisville has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced dietitian and nutritionists.

Louisville/Jefferson County
P10 (Entry)$33,082
P25$50,516
Median$76,689
P75$82,601
P90 (Top)$93,385
Louisville
P10 (Entry)$45,658
P25$60,508
Median$77,283
P75$92,167
P90 (Top)$108,509

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Louisville ($86,543 effective) pays 5.03% more than Louisville/Jefferson County ($82,396 effective).

Louisville/Jefferson County
Nominal: $76,689
CoL Index: 93.074
Adjusted: $82,396
Louisville
Nominal: $77,283
CoL Index: 89.3
Adjusted: $86,543

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Louisville/Jefferson County if…

  • Larger job market (350 employed)
  • You prefer the Kentucky area and lifestyle

Choose Louisville if…

  • Higher median salary ($77,283/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($108,509)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $86,543)
  • You prefer the Kentucky area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dietitian and nutritionist salaries in Louisville/Jefferson County grew 22.9% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 27.3% growth in Louisville over the same period.

Louisville/Jefferson County, KY

+22.9%

$60,050 (2019) → $73,810 (2025)

Louisville, KY

+27.3%

$58,415 (2024) → $74,382 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dietitian and nutritionists more: Louisville/Jefferson County or Louisville?

Louisville has a higher median dietitian and nutritionist salary at $77,283/year, compared to Louisville/Jefferson County at $76,689/year — a difference of $594 (0.77%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Louisville/Jefferson County and Louisville?

Louisville/Jefferson County dietitian and nutritionists earn $36.87/hr while Louisville hygienists earn $37.15/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Louisville/Jefferson County to Louisville as a dietitian and nutritionist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Louisville/Jefferson County and Louisville. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Louisville/Jefferson County = $82,396, Louisville = $86,543), job availability (350 vs 132 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level dietitian and nutritionists earn in Louisville/Jefferson County vs Louisville?

Entry-level (10th percentile) dietitian and nutritionists earn $33,082 in Louisville/Jefferson County and $45,658 in Louisville. The Louisville 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