Dietitian Pay

Gulfport vs Southaven: Dietitian and Nutritionist Salary (2026)

Compare dietitian and nutritionist salaries between Gulfport, MS and Southaven, MS. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Gulfport, MS
$69,114
$33.23/hr
Southaven, MS
$66,920
$32.18/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricGulfport, MSSouthaven, MS
Median Salary$69,114$66,920
Hourly Rate$33.23$32.18
Entry Level (P10)$44,802$45,239
25th Percentile$55,545$56,431
75th Percentile$83,837$76,562
Top Earner (P90)$92,991$87,536
Total Employed6014
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Gulfport ($69,114) and Southaven ($66,920) dietitian and nutritionist salaries.GulfportSouthavenMedian Salary$69,114$66,920Entry Level (P10)$44,802$45,239Top Earner (P90)$92,991$87,536US Median $79,380

Verdict

Gulfport, MS offers better overall compensation for dietitians and nutritionists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Southaven.

The salary gap between Gulfport and Southaven is $2,194 (3.28%). Gulfport's median is -12.93% compared to the US national median of $79,380.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Gulfport spans $48,189,Southaven spans $42,297. Gulfport has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Gulfport
P10 (Entry)$44,802
P25$55,545
Median$69,114
P75$83,837
P90 (Top)$92,991
Southaven
P10 (Entry)$45,239
P25$56,431
Median$66,920
P75$76,562
P90 (Top)$87,536

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Southaven ($78,086 effective) pays 1.69% more than Gulfport ($76,788 effective).

Gulfport
Nominal: $69,114
CoL Index: 90.006
Adjusted: $76,788
Southaven
Nominal: $66,920
CoL Index: 85.7
Adjusted: $78,086

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Gulfport if…

  • Higher median salary ($69,114/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($92,991)
  • Larger job market (60 employed)
  • You prefer the Mississippi area and lifestyle

Choose Southaven if…

  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $78,086)
  • You prefer the Mississippi area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dietitian and nutritionist salaries in Gulfport grew 15.3% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 41.5% growth in Southaven over the same period.

Gulfport, MS

+15.3%

$57,680 (2019) → $66,520 (2025)

Southaven, MS

+41.5%

$45,524 (2024) → $64,408 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dietitian and nutritionists more: Gulfport or Southaven?

Gulfport has a higher median dietitian and nutritionist salary at $69,114/year, compared to Southaven at $66,920/year — a difference of $2,194 (3.28%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Gulfport and Southaven?

Gulfport dietitian and nutritionists earn $33.23/hr while Southaven hygienists earn $32.18/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Gulfport to Southaven as a dietitian and nutritionist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Gulfport and Southaven. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Gulfport = $76,788, Southaven = $78,086), job availability (60 vs 14 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level dietitian and nutritionists earn in Gulfport vs Southaven?

Entry-level (10th percentile) dietitian and nutritionists earn $44,802 in Gulfport and $45,239 in Southaven. The Southaven area offers higher starting salaries.
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