Dietitian Pay

Springfield vs Watertown: Dietitian and Nutritionist Salary (2026)

Compare dietitian and nutritionist salaries between Springfield, MA and Watertown, MA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Springfield, MA
$75,421
$36.26/hr
Watertown, MA
$79,043
$38.01/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricSpringfield, MAWatertown, MA
Median Salary$75,421$79,043
Hourly Rate$36.26$38.01
Entry Level (P10)$59,680$51,686
25th Percentile$68,055$68,225
75th Percentile$92,242$89,595
Top Earner (P90)$106,362$101,163
Total Employed1707
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Springfield ($75,421) and Watertown ($79,043) dietitian and nutritionist salaries.SpringfieldWatertownMedian Salary$75,421$79,043Entry Level (P10)$59,680$51,686Top Earner (P90)$106,362$101,163US Median $79,380

Verdict

Springfield and Watertown are closely matched on overall dietitian and nutritionist compensation, each winning on different metrics.

The salary gap between Springfield and Watertown is $3,622 (4.80%). Watertown's median is -0.42% compared to the US national median of $79,380.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Springfield spans $46,682,Watertown spans $49,477. Watertown has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced dietitian and nutritionists.

Springfield
P10 (Entry)$59,680
P25$68,055
Median$75,421
P75$92,242
P90 (Top)$106,362
Watertown
P10 (Entry)$51,686
P25$68,225
Median$79,043
P75$89,595
P90 (Top)$101,163

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Springfield ($78,514 effective) pays 7.77% more than Watertown ($72,851 effective).

Springfield
Nominal: $75,421
CoL Index: 96.061
Adjusted: $78,514
Watertown
Nominal: $79,043
CoL Index: 108.5
Adjusted: $72,851

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Springfield if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($106,362)
  • Larger job market (170 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $78,514)
  • You prefer the Massachusetts area and lifestyle

Choose Watertown if…

  • Higher median salary ($79,043/year)
  • You prefer the Massachusetts area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dietitian and nutritionist salaries in Springfield grew 8.1% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -11.2% growth in Watertown over the same period.

Springfield, MA

+8.1%

$67,120 (2019) → $72,590 (2025)

Watertown, MA

+-11.2%

$85,674 (2024) → $76,076 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dietitian and nutritionists more: Springfield or Watertown?

Watertown has a higher median dietitian and nutritionist salary at $79,043/year, compared to Springfield at $75,421/year — a difference of $3,622 (4.80%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Springfield and Watertown?

Springfield dietitian and nutritionists earn $36.26/hr while Watertown hygienists earn $38.01/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Springfield to Watertown as a dietitian and nutritionist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Springfield and Watertown. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Springfield = $78,514, Watertown = $72,851), job availability (170 vs 7 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level dietitian and nutritionists earn in Springfield vs Watertown?

Entry-level (10th percentile) dietitian and nutritionists earn $59,680 in Springfield and $51,686 in Watertown. The Springfield 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