Dietitian Pay

Plant City vs Tampa: Dietitian and Nutritionist Salary (2026)

Compare dietitian and nutritionist salaries between Plant City, FL and Tampa, FL. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Plant City, FL
$72,652
$34.93/hr
Tampa, FL
$79,016
$37.99/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricPlant City, FLTampa, FL
Median Salary$72,652$79,016
Hourly Rate$34.93$37.99
Entry Level (P10)$48,188$57,031
25th Percentile$60,627$65,935
75th Percentile$84,624$85,354
Top Earner (P90)$96,716$98,206
Total Employed7720
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Plant City ($72,652) and Tampa ($79,016) dietitian and nutritionist salaries.Plant CityTampaMedian Salary$72,652$79,016Entry Level (P10)$48,188$57,031Top Earner (P90)$96,716$98,206US Median $79,380

Verdict

Tampa, FL offers better overall compensation for dietitians and nutritionists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Plant City.

The salary gap between Plant City and Tampa is $6,364 (8.76%). Tampa's median is -0.46% compared to the US national median of $79,380.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Plant City spans $48,528,Tampa spans $41,175. Plant City has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Plant City
P10 (Entry)$48,188
P25$60,627
Median$72,652
P75$84,624
P90 (Top)$96,716
Tampa
P10 (Entry)$57,031
P25$65,935
Median$79,016
P75$85,354
P90 (Top)$98,206

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Tampa ($78,319 effective) pays 8.66% more than Plant City ($72,075 effective).

Plant City
Nominal: $72,652
CoL Index: 100.8
Adjusted: $72,075
Tampa
Nominal: $79,016
CoL Index: 100.89
Adjusted: $78,319

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Plant City if…

  • You prefer the Florida area and lifestyle

Choose Tampa if…

  • Higher median salary ($79,016/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($98,206)
  • Larger job market (720 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $78,319)
  • You prefer the Florida area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dietitian and nutritionist salaries in Plant City grew 14.5% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 25.9% growth in Tampa over the same period.

Plant City, FL

+14.5%

$61,062 (2024) → $69,925 (2025)

Tampa, FL

+25.9%

$60,390 (2019) → $76,050 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dietitian and nutritionists more: Plant City or Tampa?

Tampa has a higher median dietitian and nutritionist salary at $79,016/year, compared to Plant City at $72,652/year — a difference of $6,364 (8.76%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Plant City and Tampa?

Plant City dietitian and nutritionists earn $34.93/hr while Tampa hygienists earn $37.99/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Plant City to Tampa as a dietitian and nutritionist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Plant City and Tampa. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Plant City = $72,075, Tampa = $78,319), job availability (7 vs 720 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level dietitian and nutritionists earn in Plant City vs Tampa?

Entry-level (10th percentile) dietitian and nutritionists earn $48,188 in Plant City and $57,031 in Tampa. The Tampa 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