Dietitian Pay

Raleigh vs Thomasville: Dietitian and Nutritionist Salary (2026)

Compare dietitian and nutritionist salaries between Raleigh, NC and Thomasville, NC. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Raleigh, NC
$71,909
$34.57/hr
Thomasville, NC
$68,570
$32.97/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricRaleigh, NCThomasville, NC
Median Salary$71,909$68,570
Hourly Rate$34.57$32.97
Entry Level (P10)$42,661$44,069
25th Percentile$64,231$56,030
75th Percentile$78,954$77,277
Top Earner (P90)$90,258$93,421
Total Employed4004
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Raleigh ($71,909) and Thomasville ($68,570) dietitian and nutritionist salaries.RaleighThomasvilleMedian Salary$71,909$68,570Entry Level (P10)$42,661$44,069Top Earner (P90)$90,258$93,421US Median $79,380

Verdict

Raleigh, NC offers better overall compensation for dietitians and nutritionists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Thomasville.

The salary gap between Raleigh and Thomasville is $3,339 (4.87%). Raleigh's median is -9.41% compared to the US national median of $79,380.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Raleigh spans $47,597,Thomasville spans $49,352. Thomasville has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced dietitian and nutritionists.

Raleigh
P10 (Entry)$42,661
P25$64,231
Median$71,909
P75$78,954
P90 (Top)$90,258
Thomasville
P10 (Entry)$44,069
P25$56,030
Median$68,570
P75$77,277
P90 (Top)$93,421

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Raleigh ($73,259 effective) pays 0.00% more than Thomasville ($73,259 effective).

Raleigh
Nominal: $71,909
CoL Index: 98.157
Adjusted: $73,259
Thomasville
Nominal: $68,570
CoL Index: 93.6
Adjusted: $73,259

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Raleigh if…

  • Higher median salary ($71,909/year)
  • Larger job market (400 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $73,259)
  • You prefer the North Carolina area and lifestyle

Choose Thomasville if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($93,421)
  • You prefer the North Carolina area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dietitian and nutritionist salaries in Raleigh grew 23.1% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 15.9% growth in Thomasville over the same period.

Raleigh, NC

+23.1%

$56,200 (2019) → $69,210 (2025)

Thomasville, NC

+15.9%

$56,933 (2024) → $65,996 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dietitian and nutritionists more: Raleigh or Thomasville?

Raleigh has a higher median dietitian and nutritionist salary at $71,909/year, compared to Thomasville at $68,570/year — a difference of $3,339 (4.87%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Raleigh and Thomasville?

Raleigh dietitian and nutritionists earn $34.57/hr while Thomasville hygienists earn $32.97/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Raleigh to Thomasville as a dietitian and nutritionist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Raleigh and Thomasville. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Raleigh = $73,259, Thomasville = $73,259), job availability (400 vs 4 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level dietitian and nutritionists earn in Raleigh vs Thomasville?

Entry-level (10th percentile) dietitian and nutritionists earn $42,661 in Raleigh and $44,069 in Thomasville. The Thomasville 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