Dietitian Pay

Jackson vs Tupelo: Dietitian and Nutritionist Salary (2026)

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

Jackson, MS
$66,184
$31.82/hr
Tupelo, MS
$67,368
$32.39/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricJackson, MSTupelo, MS
Median Salary$66,184$67,368
Hourly Rate$31.82$32.39
Entry Level (P10)$44,687$42,398
25th Percentile$57,696$58,423
75th Percentile$76,803$76,628
Top Earner (P90)$87,047$86,660
Total Employed1807
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Jackson ($66,184) and Tupelo ($67,368) dietitian and nutritionist salaries.JacksonTupeloMedian Salary$66,184$67,368Entry Level (P10)$44,687$42,398Top Earner (P90)$87,047$86,660US Median $79,380

Verdict

Jackson and Tupelo are closely matched on overall dietitian and nutritionist compensation, each winning on different metrics.

The salary gap between Jackson and Tupelo is $1,184 (1.79%). Tupelo's median is -15.13% compared to the US national median of $79,380.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Jackson spans $42,360,Tupelo spans $44,262. Tupelo has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced dietitian and nutritionists.

Jackson
P10 (Entry)$44,687
P25$57,696
Median$66,184
P75$76,803
P90 (Top)$87,047
Tupelo
P10 (Entry)$42,398
P25$58,423
Median$67,368
P75$76,628
P90 (Top)$86,660

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Tupelo ($78,609 effective) pays 5.77% more than Jackson ($74,324 effective).

Jackson
Nominal: $66,184
CoL Index: 89.048
Adjusted: $74,324
Tupelo
Nominal: $67,368
CoL Index: 85.7
Adjusted: $78,609

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Jackson if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($87,047)
  • Larger job market (180 employed)
  • You prefer the Mississippi area and lifestyle

Choose Tupelo if…

  • Higher median salary ($67,368/year)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $78,609)
  • You prefer the Mississippi area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dietitian and nutritionist salaries in Jackson grew 14.2% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 41.5% growth in Tupelo over the same period.

Jackson, MS

+14.2%

$55,760 (2019) → $63,700 (2025)

Tupelo, MS

+41.5%

$45,829 (2024) → $64,839 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dietitian and nutritionists more: Jackson or Tupelo?

Tupelo has a higher median dietitian and nutritionist salary at $67,368/year, compared to Jackson at $66,184/year — a difference of $1,184 (1.79%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Jackson and Tupelo?

Jackson dietitian and nutritionists earn $31.82/hr while Tupelo hygienists earn $32.39/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Jackson to Tupelo as a dietitian and nutritionist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Jackson and Tupelo. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Jackson = $74,324, Tupelo = $78,609), job availability (180 vs 7 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level dietitian and nutritionists earn in Jackson vs Tupelo?

Entry-level (10th percentile) dietitian and nutritionists earn $44,687 in Jackson and $42,398 in Tupelo. The Jackson 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