Dietitian Pay

Springfield vs St. Charles: Dietitian and Nutritionist Salary (2026)

Compare dietitian and nutritionist salaries between Springfield, MO and St. Charles, MO. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Springfield, MO
$65,945
$31.70/hr
St. Charles, MO
$66,993
$32.21/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricSpringfield, MOSt. Charles, MO
Median Salary$65,945$66,993
Hourly Rate$31.70$32.21
Entry Level (P10)$39,066$42,903
25th Percentile$54,703$54,705
75th Percentile$77,073$77,513
Top Earner (P90)$89,479$88,735
Total Employed15016
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Springfield ($65,945) and St. Charles ($66,993) dietitian and nutritionist salaries.SpringfieldSt. CharlesMedian Salary$65,945$66,993Entry Level (P10)$39,066$42,903Top Earner (P90)$89,479$88,735US Median $79,380

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Springfield and St. Charles is $1,048 (1.59%). St. Charles's median is -15.60% compared to the US national median of $79,380.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Springfield spans $50,413,St. Charles spans $45,832. Springfield has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Springfield
P10 (Entry)$39,066
P25$54,703
Median$65,945
P75$77,073
P90 (Top)$89,479
St. Charles
P10 (Entry)$42,903
P25$54,705
Median$66,993
P75$77,513
P90 (Top)$88,735

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, St. Charles ($74,769 effective) pays 0.44% more than Springfield ($74,443 effective).

Springfield
Nominal: $65,945
CoL Index: 88.585
Adjusted: $74,443
St. Charles
Nominal: $66,993
CoL Index: 89.6
Adjusted: $74,769

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 ($89,479)
  • Larger job market (150 employed)
  • You prefer the Missouri area and lifestyle

Choose St. Charles if…

  • Higher median salary ($66,993/year)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $74,769)
  • You prefer the Missouri area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dietitian and nutritionist salaries in Springfield grew 24.7% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 14.8% growth in St. Charles over the same period.

Springfield, MO

+24.7%

$50,910 (2019) → $63,470 (2025)

St. Charles, MO

+14.8%

$56,173 (2024) → $64,478 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dietitian and nutritionists more: Springfield or St. Charles?

St. Charles has a higher median dietitian and nutritionist salary at $66,993/year, compared to Springfield at $65,945/year — a difference of $1,048 (1.59%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Springfield and St. Charles?

Springfield dietitian and nutritionists earn $31.70/hr while St. Charles hygienists earn $32.21/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Springfield to St. Charles as a dietitian and nutritionist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Springfield and St. Charles. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Springfield = $74,443, St. Charles = $74,769), job availability (150 vs 16 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level dietitian and nutritionists earn in Springfield vs St. Charles?

Entry-level (10th percentile) dietitian and nutritionists earn $39,066 in Springfield and $42,903 in St. Charles. The St. Charles 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