Dietitian Pay

New Bedford vs Springfield: Dietitian and Nutritionist Salary (2026)

Compare dietitian and nutritionist salaries between New Bedford, MA and Springfield, MA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

New Bedford, MA
$80,678
$38.79/hr
Springfield, MA
$75,421
$36.26/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricNew Bedford, MASpringfield, MA
Median Salary$80,678$75,421
Hourly Rate$38.79$36.26
Entry Level (P10)$53,956$59,680
25th Percentile$67,731$68,055
75th Percentile$93,596$92,242
Top Earner (P90)$108,275$106,362
Total Employed24170
Side-by-side bar chart comparing New Bedford ($80,678) and Springfield ($75,421) dietitian and nutritionist salaries.New BedfordSpringfieldMedian Salary$80,678$75,421Entry Level (P10)$53,956$59,680Top Earner (P90)$108,275$106,362US Median $79,380

Verdict

New Bedford, MA offers better overall compensation for dietitians and nutritionists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Springfield.

The salary gap between New Bedford and Springfield is $5,257 (6.97%). New Bedford's median is +1.64% compared to the US national median of $79,380.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in New Bedford spans $54,319,Springfield spans $46,682. New Bedford has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

New Bedford
P10 (Entry)$53,956
P25$67,731
Median$80,678
P75$93,596
P90 (Top)$108,275
Springfield
P10 (Entry)$59,680
P25$68,055
Median$75,421
P75$92,242
P90 (Top)$106,362

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Springfield ($78,514 effective) pays 5.59% more than New Bedford ($74,358 effective).

New Bedford
Nominal: $80,678
CoL Index: 108.5
Adjusted: $74,358
Springfield
Nominal: $75,421
CoL Index: 96.061
Adjusted: $78,514

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose New Bedford if…

  • Higher median salary ($80,678/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($108,275)
  • You prefer the Massachusetts area and lifestyle

Choose Springfield if…

  • Larger job market (170 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $78,514)
  • You prefer the Massachusetts area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dietitian and nutritionist salaries in New Bedford grew 11.1% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 8.1% growth in Springfield over the same period.

New Bedford, MA

+11.1%

$69,900 (2019) → $77,650 (2025)

Springfield, MA

+8.1%

$67,120 (2019) → $72,590 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dietitian and nutritionists more: New Bedford or Springfield?

New Bedford has a higher median dietitian and nutritionist salary at $80,678/year, compared to Springfield at $75,421/year — a difference of $5,257 (6.97%).

What is the hourly rate difference between New Bedford and Springfield?

New Bedford dietitian and nutritionists earn $38.79/hr while Springfield hygienists earn $36.26/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from New Bedford to Springfield as a dietitian and nutritionist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing New Bedford and Springfield. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: New Bedford = $74,358, Springfield = $78,514), job availability (24 vs 170 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level dietitian and nutritionists earn in New Bedford vs Springfield?

Entry-level (10th percentile) dietitian and nutritionists earn $53,956 in New Bedford and $59,680 in Springfield. The Springfield area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

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