Dietitian Pay

Olathe vs Salina: Dietitian and Nutritionist Salary (2026)

Compare dietitian and nutritionist salaries between Olathe, KS and Salina, KS. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Olathe, KS
$72,403
$34.81/hr
Salina, KS
$69,821
$33.57/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricOlathe, KSSalina, KS
Median Salary$72,403$69,821
Hourly Rate$34.81$33.57
Entry Level (P10)$47,968$49,110
25th Percentile$60,440$60,114
75th Percentile$83,645$78,996
Top Earner (P90)$101,269$89,121
Total Employed3311
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Olathe ($72,403) and Salina ($69,821) dietitian and nutritionist salaries.OlatheSalinaMedian Salary$72,403$69,821Entry Level (P10)$47,968$49,110Top Earner (P90)$101,269$89,121US Median $79,380

Verdict

Olathe, KS offers better overall compensation for dietitians and nutritionists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Salina.

The salary gap between Olathe and Salina is $2,582 (3.70%). Olathe's median is -8.79% compared to the US national median of $79,380.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Olathe spans $53,301,Salina spans $40,011. Olathe has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Olathe
P10 (Entry)$47,968
P25$60,440
Median$72,403
P75$83,645
P90 (Top)$101,269
Salina
P10 (Entry)$49,110
P25$60,114
Median$69,821
P75$78,996
P90 (Top)$89,121

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Olathe ($79,651 effective) pays 3.70% more than Salina ($76,811 effective).

Olathe
Nominal: $72,403
CoL Index: 90.9
Adjusted: $79,651
Salina
Nominal: $69,821
CoL Index: 90.9
Adjusted: $76,811

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Olathe if…

  • Higher median salary ($72,403/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($101,269)
  • Larger job market (33 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $79,651)
  • You prefer the Kansas area and lifestyle

Choose Salina if…

  • You prefer the Kansas area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

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

Olathe, KS

+27.3%

$54,726 (2024) → $69,685 (2025)

Salina, KS

+27.3%

$52,775 (2024) → $67,200 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dietitian and nutritionists more: Olathe or Salina?

Olathe has a higher median dietitian and nutritionist salary at $72,403/year, compared to Salina at $69,821/year — a difference of $2,582 (3.70%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Olathe and Salina?

Olathe dietitian and nutritionists earn $34.81/hr while Salina hygienists earn $33.57/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Olathe to Salina as a dietitian and nutritionist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Olathe and Salina. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Olathe = $79,651, Salina = $76,811), job availability (33 vs 11 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level dietitian and nutritionists earn in Olathe vs Salina?

Entry-level (10th percentile) dietitian and nutritionists earn $47,968 in Olathe and $49,110 in Salina. The Salina 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