Dietitian Pay

New Haven vs Stratford: Dietitian and Nutritionist Salary (2026)

Compare dietitian and nutritionist salaries between New Haven, CT and Stratford, CT. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

New Haven, CT
$84,273
$40.52/hr
Stratford, CT
$82,606
$39.71/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricNew Haven, CTStratford, CT
Median Salary$84,273$82,606
Hourly Rate$40.52$39.71
Entry Level (P10)$66,465$50,154
25th Percentile$68,782$70,349
75th Percentile$95,972$95,197
Top Earner (P90)$109,916$109,204
Total Employed18013
Side-by-side bar chart comparing New Haven ($84,273) and Stratford ($82,606) dietitian and nutritionist salaries.New HavenStratfordMedian Salary$84,273$82,606Entry Level (P10)$66,465$50,154Top Earner (P90)$109,916$109,204US Median $79,380

Verdict

New Haven, CT offers better overall compensation for dietitians and nutritionists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Stratford.

The salary gap between New Haven and Stratford is $1,667 (2.02%). New Haven's median is +6.16% compared to the US national median of $79,380.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in New Haven spans $43,451,Stratford spans $59,050. Stratford has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced dietitian and nutritionists.

New Haven
P10 (Entry)$66,465
P25$68,782
Median$84,273
P75$95,972
P90 (Top)$109,916
Stratford
P10 (Entry)$50,154
P25$70,349
Median$82,606
P75$95,197
P90 (Top)$109,204

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, New Haven ($80,599 effective) pays 5.28% more than Stratford ($76,558 effective).

New Haven
Nominal: $84,273
CoL Index: 104.559
Adjusted: $80,599
Stratford
Nominal: $82,606
CoL Index: 107.9
Adjusted: $76,558

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose New Haven if…

  • Higher median salary ($84,273/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($109,916)
  • Larger job market (180 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $80,599)
  • You prefer the Connecticut area and lifestyle

Choose Stratford if…

  • You prefer the Connecticut area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dietitian and nutritionist salaries in New Haven grew 29.0% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -2.1% growth in Stratford over the same period.

New Haven, CT

+29.0%

$62,890 (2019) → $81,110 (2025)

Stratford, CT

+-2.1%

$81,233 (2024) → $79,505 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dietitian and nutritionists more: New Haven or Stratford?

New Haven has a higher median dietitian and nutritionist salary at $84,273/year, compared to Stratford at $82,606/year — a difference of $1,667 (2.02%).

What is the hourly rate difference between New Haven and Stratford?

New Haven dietitian and nutritionists earn $40.52/hr while Stratford hygienists earn $39.71/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from New Haven to Stratford as a dietitian and nutritionist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing New Haven and Stratford. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: New Haven = $80,599, Stratford = $76,558), job availability (180 vs 13 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level dietitian and nutritionists earn in New Haven vs Stratford?

Entry-level (10th percentile) dietitian and nutritionists earn $66,465 in New Haven and $50,154 in Stratford. The New Haven 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