Dietitian Pay

Seattle vs University Place: Dietitian and Nutritionist Salary (2026)

Compare dietitian and nutritionist salaries between Seattle, WA and University Place, WA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Seattle, WA
$90,996
$43.75/hr
University Place, WA
$80,403
$38.65/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricSeattle, WAUniversity Place, WA
Median Salary$90,996$80,403
Hourly Rate$43.75$38.65
Entry Level (P10)$63,608$51,706
25th Percentile$77,343$65,644
75th Percentile$107,194$90,635
Top Earner (P90)$120,763$109,479
Total Employed8806
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Seattle ($90,996) and University Place ($80,403) dietitian and nutritionist salaries.SeattleUniversity PlaceMedian Salary$90,996$80,403Entry Level (P10)$63,608$51,706Top Earner (P90)$120,763$109,479US Median $79,380

Verdict

Seattle, WA offers better overall compensation for dietitians and nutritionists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to University Place.

The salary gap between Seattle and University Place is $10,593 (13.17%). Seattle's median is +14.63% compared to the US national median of $79,380.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Seattle spans $57,155,University Place spans $57,773. University Place has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced dietitian and nutritionists.

Seattle
P10 (Entry)$63,608
P25$77,343
Median$90,996
P75$107,194
P90 (Top)$120,763
University Place
P10 (Entry)$51,706
P25$65,644
Median$80,403
P75$90,635
P90 (Top)$109,479

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Seattle ($81,880 effective) pays 9.37% more than University Place ($74,863 effective).

Seattle
Nominal: $90,996
CoL Index: 111.133
Adjusted: $81,880
University Place
Nominal: $80,403
CoL Index: 107.4
Adjusted: $74,863

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Seattle if…

  • Higher median salary ($90,996/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($120,763)
  • Larger job market (880 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $81,880)
  • You prefer the Washington area and lifestyle

Choose University Place if…

  • You prefer the Washington area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dietitian and nutritionist salaries in Seattle grew 38.3% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -8.2% growth in University Place over the same period.

Seattle, WA

+38.3%

$63,320 (2019) → $87,580 (2025)

University Place, WA

+-8.2%

$84,259 (2024) → $77,385 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dietitian and nutritionists more: Seattle or University Place?

Seattle has a higher median dietitian and nutritionist salary at $90,996/year, compared to University Place at $80,403/year — a difference of $10,593 (13.17%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Seattle and University Place?

Seattle dietitian and nutritionists earn $43.75/hr while University Place hygienists earn $38.65/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Seattle to University Place as a dietitian and nutritionist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Seattle and University Place. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Seattle = $81,880, University Place = $74,863), job availability (880 vs 6 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level dietitian and nutritionists earn in Seattle vs University Place?

Entry-level (10th percentile) dietitian and nutritionists earn $63,608 in Seattle and $51,706 in University Place. The Seattle 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