Dietitian Pay

Orlando vs Pensacola: Dietitian and Nutritionist Salary (2026)

Compare dietitian and nutritionist salaries between Orlando, FL and Pensacola, FL. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Orlando, FL
$76,813
$36.93/hr
Pensacola, FL
$75,889
$36.49/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricOrlando, FLPensacola, FL
Median Salary$76,813$75,889
Hourly Rate$36.93$36.49
Entry Level (P10)$38,900$54,381
25th Percentile$60,823$65,052
75th Percentile$82,798$82,538
Top Earner (P90)$94,913$89,624
Total Employed540110
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Orlando ($76,813) and Pensacola ($75,889) dietitian and nutritionist salaries.OrlandoPensacolaMedian Salary$76,813$75,889Entry Level (P10)$38,900$54,381Top Earner (P90)$94,913$89,624US Median $79,380

Verdict

Orlando, FL offers better overall compensation for dietitians and nutritionists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Pensacola.

The salary gap between Orlando and Pensacola is $924 (1.22%). Orlando's median is -3.23% compared to the US national median of $79,380.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Orlando spans $56,013,Pensacola spans $35,243. Orlando has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Orlando
P10 (Entry)$38,900
P25$60,823
Median$76,813
P75$82,798
P90 (Top)$94,913
Pensacola
P10 (Entry)$54,381
P25$65,052
Median$75,889
P75$82,538
P90 (Top)$89,624

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Pensacola ($77,662 effective) pays 2.54% more than Orlando ($75,739 effective).

Orlando
Nominal: $76,813
CoL Index: 101.418
Adjusted: $75,739
Pensacola
Nominal: $75,889
CoL Index: 97.717
Adjusted: $77,662

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Orlando if…

  • Higher median salary ($76,813/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($94,913)
  • Larger job market (540 employed)
  • You prefer the Florida area and lifestyle

Choose Pensacola if…

  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $77,662)
  • You prefer the Florida area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dietitian and nutritionist salaries in Orlando grew 23.0% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 40.7% growth in Pensacola over the same period.

Orlando, FL

+23.0%

$60,130 (2019) → $73,930 (2025)

Pensacola, FL

+40.7%

$51,930 (2019) → $73,040 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dietitian and nutritionists more: Orlando or Pensacola?

Orlando has a higher median dietitian and nutritionist salary at $76,813/year, compared to Pensacola at $75,889/year — a difference of $924 (1.22%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Orlando and Pensacola?

Orlando dietitian and nutritionists earn $36.93/hr while Pensacola hygienists earn $36.49/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Orlando to Pensacola as a dietitian and nutritionist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Orlando and Pensacola. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Orlando = $75,739, Pensacola = $77,662), job availability (540 vs 110 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level dietitian and nutritionists earn in Orlando vs Pensacola?

Entry-level (10th percentile) dietitian and nutritionists earn $38,900 in Orlando and $54,381 in Pensacola. The Pensacola 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