Dietitian Pay

Louisville vs Nicholasville: Dietitian and Nutritionist Salary (2026)

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

Louisville, KY
$77,283
$37.15/hr
Nicholasville, KY
$69,812
$33.56/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricLouisville, KYNicholasville, KY
Median Salary$77,283$69,812
Hourly Rate$37.15$33.56
Entry Level (P10)$45,658$45,319
25th Percentile$60,508$57,379
75th Percentile$92,167$79,000
Top Earner (P90)$108,509$88,873
Total Employed1326
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Louisville ($77,283) and Nicholasville ($69,812) dietitian and nutritionist salaries.LouisvilleNicholasvilleMedian Salary$77,283$69,812Entry Level (P10)$45,658$45,319Top Earner (P90)$108,509$88,873US Median $79,380

Verdict

Louisville, KY offers better overall compensation for dietitians and nutritionists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Nicholasville.

The salary gap between Louisville and Nicholasville is $7,471 (10.70%). 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 spans $62,851,Nicholasville spans $43,554. Louisville has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Louisville
P10 (Entry)$45,658
P25$60,508
Median$77,283
P75$92,167
P90 (Top)$108,509
Nicholasville
P10 (Entry)$45,319
P25$57,379
Median$69,812
P75$79,000
P90 (Top)$88,873

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Louisville ($86,543 effective) pays 10.70% more than Nicholasville ($78,177 effective).

Louisville
Nominal: $77,283
CoL Index: 89.3
Adjusted: $86,543
Nicholasville
Nominal: $69,812
CoL Index: 89.3
Adjusted: $78,177

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Louisville if…

  • Higher median salary ($77,283/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($108,509)
  • Larger job market (132 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $86,543)
  • You prefer the Kentucky area and lifestyle

Choose Nicholasville if…

  • You prefer the Kentucky area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dietitian and nutritionist salaries in Louisville grew 27.3% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 27.3% growth in Nicholasville over the same period.

Louisville, KY

+27.3%

$58,415 (2024) → $74,382 (2025)

Nicholasville, KY

+27.3%

$52,769 (2024) → $67,192 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dietitian and nutritionists more: Louisville or Nicholasville?

Louisville has a higher median dietitian and nutritionist salary at $77,283/year, compared to Nicholasville at $69,812/year — a difference of $7,471 (10.70%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Louisville and Nicholasville?

Louisville dietitian and nutritionists earn $37.15/hr while Nicholasville hygienists earn $33.56/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Louisville to Nicholasville as a dietitian and nutritionist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Louisville and Nicholasville. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Louisville = $86,543, Nicholasville = $78,177), job availability (132 vs 6 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level dietitian and nutritionists earn in Louisville vs Nicholasville?

Entry-level (10th percentile) dietitian and nutritionists earn $45,658 in Louisville and $45,319 in Nicholasville. 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