Dietitian / Nutritionist Salary.
Across 81 U.S. cities.
$74,000
national median salary
$61,000 to $85,000. Last updated August 2026.
Government benchmark for this occupation
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a median annual wage of $76,400 for Dietitians and Nutritionists (SOC 29-1031) across the United States, based on 77,570 employed workers (May 2025 release).
10th percentile
$49,090
25th percentile
$63,080
Median
$76,400
75th percentile
$89,340
90th percentile
$103,720
Workers surveyed
77,570
What BLS published in each release
May 2024 release
$73,850
May 2025 release
$76,400
These are two separate published estimates, not a time series. The Bureau of Labor Statistics does not encourage the use of OEWS data for time-series analysis. Differences between releases reflect changes in occupational classification, survey methodology, and the three-year pooled sample as well as any change in pay, so the two figures should not be read as a rate of wage growth.
BLS publishes wages by occupation code, not by job title, so this figure covers every role mapped to Dietitians and Nutritionists (SOC 29-1031) rather than Dietitian / Nutritionistspecifically. The national range at the top of this page is Orbyt’s role-level estimate, which is a different thing and is labelled as such.
View the BLS source for SOC 29-1031Highest Paying
$102,000
San Francisco, CA
Best Purchasing Power
$77,000
Washington DC, DC
Lowest Paying
$58,000
Little Rock, AR
The salary figures on this page are computed estimates, not observed wages. Each one is a national role baseline scaled by a Bureau of Economic Analysis Regional Price Parity cost-of-living multiplier (2025 index) and rounded to the nearest $1,000. No published wage percentile is consulted and no wage survey response enters the calculation, so an Orbyt estimate must not be cited as a Bureau of Labor Statistics figure or as measured pay. The published wage data Orbyt holds is Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, and Department of Labor H-1B Labor Condition Application filings, which record a filed minimum visa base wage rather than market pay. Where BLS publishes a wage for the occupation a role maps to, it is shown on that role's page as a separate benchmark, labelled with its occupation code, metro area and the number of employed workers it covers. Last updated August 2026. This role maps to BLS occupation code 29-1031. Full methodology.
Orbyt estimates the average Dietitian / Nutritionist salary in the United States at $74,000 in 2026, within a range of $61,000 to $85,000. These figures are Orbyt estimates, computed rather than measured, and must not be cited as Bureau of Labor Statistics figures; the published BLS wage for the occupation this role maps to is shown separately on this page. San Francisco is the highest of the 81 cities at $102,000, while Washington DC offers the best purchasing power after cost-of-living adjustments. Practice setting drives the most variation, with hospital clinical dietitians earning above community health and long-term care positions.
Dietitian / Nutritionist salary by city.
Skills that increase Dietitian / Nutritionist pay.
The skills below command measurable salary premiums for Dietitian / Nutritionists based on job posting data. Learning the top skill here could add $10,360 to your annual compensation.
≈ +$10,360 per year
≈ +$9,620 per year
≈ +$8,880 per year
≈ +$8,140 per year
≈ +$8,140 per year
≈ +$7,400 per year
≈ +$7,400 per year
≈ +$6,660 per year
What you should know.
Practice setting drives the most variation, with hospital clinical dietitians earning above community health and long-term care positions. Board certifications in specialties like oncology nutrition, renal, or sports dietetics add 8 to 12% premiums. State licensure requirements and metropolitan locations with higher demand also increase compensation.
Entry-level RDs earn $50,000 to $56,000 in clinical settings after completing their internship. Experienced clinical dietitians with specializations reach $65,000 to $78,000. Nutrition directors or private practice owners can earn $80,000 to $105,000 depending on setting and client volume.
Clinical dietitians receive comprehensive hospital benefits including health insurance, retirement matching, and CE reimbursement. Private practice dietitians can earn more per hour but face overhead costs. Some positions offer meal stipends and wellness program incentives.
Total compensation breakdown.
Salary by company size
Remote salary adjustment
Remote Dietitian / Nutritionists typically earn $67,000 (10% less than on-site). This reflects location-adjusted pay policies at companies using geographic salary bands. Some companies pay flat national rates regardless of location.
Are you a Dietitian / Nutritionist?
Share your real compensation anonymously. Help build the most accurate salary dataset for this role. Your data is never individually exposed.
Common questions about Dietitian / Nutritionist pay.
Related tools