Dietitian Pay

Port St. Lucie vs Tampa: Dietitian and Nutritionist Salary (2026)

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

Port St. Lucie, FL
$71,629
$34.44/hr
Tampa, FL
$79,016
$37.99/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricPort St. Lucie, FLTampa, FL
Median Salary$71,629$79,016
Hourly Rate$34.44$37.99
Entry Level (P10)$51,950$57,031
25th Percentile$64,719$65,935
75th Percentile$83,442$85,354
Top Earner (P90)$89,863$98,206
Total Employed80720
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Port St. Lucie ($71,629) and Tampa ($79,016) dietitian and nutritionist salaries.Port St. LucieTampaMedian Salary$71,629$79,016Entry Level (P10)$51,950$57,031Top Earner (P90)$89,863$98,206US Median $79,380

Verdict

Tampa, FL offers better overall compensation for dietitians and nutritionists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Port St. Lucie.

The salary gap between Port St. Lucie and Tampa is $7,387 (10.31%). 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 Port St. Lucie spans $37,913,Tampa spans $41,175. Tampa has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced dietitian and nutritionists.

Port St. Lucie
P10 (Entry)$51,950
P25$64,719
Median$71,629
P75$83,442
P90 (Top)$89,863
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 9.59% more than Port St. Lucie ($71,466 effective).

Port St. Lucie
Nominal: $71,629
CoL Index: 100.228
Adjusted: $71,466
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 Port St. Lucie 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 Port St. Lucie grew 6.5% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 25.9% growth in Tampa over the same period.

Port St. Lucie, FL

+6.5%

$64,710 (2019) → $68,940 (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: Port St. Lucie or Tampa?

Tampa has a higher median dietitian and nutritionist salary at $79,016/year, compared to Port St. Lucie at $71,629/year — a difference of $7,387 (10.31%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Port St. Lucie and Tampa?

Port St. Lucie dietitian and nutritionists earn $34.44/hr while Tampa hygienists earn $37.99/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Port St. Lucie to Tampa as a dietitian and nutritionist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Port St. Lucie and Tampa. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Port St. Lucie = $71,466, Tampa = $78,319), job availability (80 vs 720 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level dietitian and nutritionists earn in Port St. Lucie vs Tampa?

Entry-level (10th percentile) dietitian and nutritionists earn $51,950 in Port St. Lucie 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