Dietitian Pay

Madison vs Racine: Dietitian and Nutritionist Salary (2026)

Compare dietitian and nutritionist salaries between Madison, WI and Racine, WI. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Madison, WI
$78,185
$37.59/hr
Racine, WI
$77,140
$37.08/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricMadison, WIRacine, WI
Median Salary$78,185$77,140
Hourly Rate$37.59$37.08
Entry Level (P10)$65,997$52,512
25th Percentile$68,242$65,323
75th Percentile$85,603$91,586
Top Earner (P90)$102,144$106,063
Total Employed30013
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Madison ($78,185) and Racine ($77,140) dietitian and nutritionist salaries.MadisonRacineMedian Salary$78,185$77,140Entry Level (P10)$65,997$52,512Top Earner (P90)$102,144$106,063US Median $79,380

Verdict

Madison, WI offers better overall compensation for dietitians and nutritionists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Racine.

The salary gap between Madison and Racine is $1,045 (1.35%). Madison's median is -1.51% compared to the US national median of $79,380.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Madison spans $36,147,Racine spans $53,551. Racine has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced dietitian and nutritionists.

Madison
P10 (Entry)$65,997
P25$68,242
Median$78,185
P75$85,603
P90 (Top)$102,144
Racine
P10 (Entry)$52,512
P25$65,323
Median$77,140
P75$91,586
P90 (Top)$106,063

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Racine ($82,591 effective) pays 2.77% more than Madison ($80,365 effective).

Madison
Nominal: $78,185
CoL Index: 97.287
Adjusted: $80,365
Racine
Nominal: $77,140
CoL Index: 93.4
Adjusted: $82,591

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Madison if…

  • Higher median salary ($78,185/year)
  • Larger job market (300 employed)
  • You prefer the Wisconsin area and lifestyle

Choose Racine if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($106,063)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $82,591)
  • You prefer the Wisconsin area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dietitian and nutritionist salaries in Madison grew 24.1% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 23.5% growth in Racine over the same period.

Madison, WI

+24.1%

$60,630 (2019) → $75,250 (2025)

Racine, WI

+23.5%

$60,100 (2021) → $74,244 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dietitian and nutritionists more: Madison or Racine?

Madison has a higher median dietitian and nutritionist salary at $78,185/year, compared to Racine at $77,140/year — a difference of $1,045 (1.35%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Madison and Racine?

Madison dietitian and nutritionists earn $37.59/hr while Racine hygienists earn $37.08/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Madison to Racine as a dietitian and nutritionist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Madison and Racine. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Madison = $80,365, Racine = $82,591), job availability (300 vs 13 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level dietitian and nutritionists earn in Madison vs Racine?

Entry-level (10th percentile) dietitian and nutritionists earn $65,997 in Madison and $52,512 in Racine. The Madison 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