Dietitian Pay

Madison vs Whitewater: Dietitian and Nutritionist Salary (2026)

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

Madison, WI
$78,185
$37.59/hr
Whitewater, WI
$74,185
$35.67/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricMadison, WIWhitewater, WI
Median Salary$78,185$74,185
Hourly Rate$37.59$35.67
Entry Level (P10)$65,997$49,027
25th Percentile$68,242$61,380
75th Percentile$85,603$82,184
Top Earner (P90)$102,144$97,665
Total Employed3004
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Madison ($78,185) and Whitewater ($74,185) dietitian and nutritionist salaries.MadisonWhitewaterMedian Salary$78,185$74,185Entry Level (P10)$65,997$49,027Top Earner (P90)$102,144$97,665US Median $79,380

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Madison and Whitewater is $4,000 (5.39%). 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,Whitewater spans $48,638. Whitewater 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
Whitewater
P10 (Entry)$49,027
P25$61,380
Median$74,185
P75$82,184
P90 (Top)$97,665

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Madison ($80,365 effective) pays 1.18% more than Whitewater ($79,427 effective).

Madison
Nominal: $78,185
CoL Index: 97.287
Adjusted: $80,365
Whitewater
Nominal: $74,185
CoL Index: 93.4
Adjusted: $79,427

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)
  • Better top-earner potential ($102,144)
  • Larger job market (300 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $80,365)
  • You prefer the Wisconsin area and lifestyle

Choose Whitewater if…

  • 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 22.1% growth in Whitewater over the same period.

Madison, WI

+24.1%

$60,630 (2019) → $75,250 (2025)

Whitewater, WI

+22.1%

$58,490 (2024) → $71,400 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Madison has a higher median dietitian and nutritionist salary at $78,185/year, compared to Whitewater at $74,185/year — a difference of $4,000 (5.39%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Madison and Whitewater?

Madison dietitian and nutritionists earn $37.59/hr while Whitewater hygienists earn $35.67/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Madison and Whitewater. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Madison = $80,365, Whitewater = $79,427), job availability (300 vs 4 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) dietitian and nutritionists earn $65,997 in Madison and $49,027 in Whitewater. 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