Dietitian Pay

Kirkwood vs St. Louis: Dietitian and Nutritionist Salary (2026)

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

Kirkwood, MO
$65,706
$31.59/hr
St. Louis, MO
$73,104
$35.15/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricKirkwood, MOSt. Louis, MO
Median Salary$65,706$73,104
Hourly Rate$31.59$35.15
Entry Level (P10)$43,495$53,768
25th Percentile$54,561$62,932
75th Percentile$76,273$82,351
Top Earner (P90)$87,041$94,653
Total Employed5700
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Kirkwood ($65,706) and St. Louis ($73,104) dietitian and nutritionist salaries.KirkwoodSt. LouisMedian Salary$65,706$73,104Entry Level (P10)$43,495$53,768Top Earner (P90)$87,041$94,653US Median $79,380

Verdict

St. Louis, MO offers better overall compensation for dietitians and nutritionists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Kirkwood.

The salary gap between Kirkwood and St. Louis is $7,398 (11.26%). St. Louis's median is -7.91% compared to the US national median of $79,380.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Kirkwood spans $43,546,St. Louis spans $40,885. Kirkwood has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Kirkwood
P10 (Entry)$43,495
P25$54,561
Median$65,706
P75$76,273
P90 (Top)$87,041
St. Louis
P10 (Entry)$53,768
P25$62,932
Median$73,104
P75$82,351
P90 (Top)$94,653

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, St. Louis ($76,880 effective) pays 4.84% more than Kirkwood ($73,333 effective).

Kirkwood
Nominal: $65,706
CoL Index: 89.6
Adjusted: $73,333
St. Louis
Nominal: $73,104
CoL Index: 95.088
Adjusted: $76,880

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Kirkwood if…

  • You prefer the Missouri area and lifestyle

Choose St. Louis if…

  • Higher median salary ($73,104/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($94,653)
  • Larger job market (700 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $76,880)
  • You prefer the Missouri area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dietitian and nutritionist salaries in Kirkwood grew 14.8% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 19.8% growth in St. Louis over the same period.

Kirkwood, MO

+14.8%

$55,095 (2024) → $63,240 (2025)

St. Louis, MO

+19.8%

$58,710 (2019) → $70,360 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dietitian and nutritionists more: Kirkwood or St. Louis?

St. Louis has a higher median dietitian and nutritionist salary at $73,104/year, compared to Kirkwood at $65,706/year — a difference of $7,398 (11.26%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Kirkwood and St. Louis?

Kirkwood dietitian and nutritionists earn $31.59/hr while St. Louis hygienists earn $35.15/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Kirkwood to St. Louis as a dietitian and nutritionist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Kirkwood and St. Louis. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Kirkwood = $73,333, St. Louis = $76,880), job availability (5 vs 700 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level dietitian and nutritionists earn in Kirkwood vs St. Louis?

Entry-level (10th percentile) dietitian and nutritionists earn $43,495 in Kirkwood and $53,768 in St. Louis. The St. Louis 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