Dietitian and Nutritionist Salary
Dietitians and Nutritionists earn a median $76,400 a year nationally. Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations
What dietitians and nutritionists do
Plan and conduct food service or nutritional programs to assist in the promotion of health and control of disease. May supervise activities of a department providing quantity food services, counsel individuals, or conduct nutritional research.
- Typical education
- Bachelor's degree
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- Internship/residency
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +7.7% (faster than average)
- Openings per year
- 5,700
- Self-employed
- 9%
Employment of dietitians and nutritionists is projected to grow 7.7% from 2025 to 2035, faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 5,700 openings are expected each year, on average, including jobs left by workers who retire or switch careers.
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Dietitian and Nutritionist take-home pay calculator
Starts at the national median. Pick your state to see your real paycheck.
- Federal income tax$7,978
- Social Security (6.2%)$4,737
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,108
- Texas income tax$0
- Take-home pay$62,577
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 0.00% state
Pay by experience
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home (no state tax) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $49,090 | $23.60 | $41,624 |
| 25th percentile | $63,080 | $30.33 | $52,865 |
| Median (50th) | $76,400 | $36.73 | $62,577 |
| 75th percentile | $89,340 | $42.95 | $71,681 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $103,720 | $49.87 | $81,797 |
Best cities for dietitians and nutritionists (after tax & cost of living)
| # | Metro area | Median | Take-home | Real value* | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Los Angeles, CA | $95,450 | $70,091 | $61,718 | 3,060 |
| 2 | New York, NY | $86,690 | $65,732 | $58,396 | 5,490 |
*Take-home pay in U.S.-average dollars (BEA Regional Price Parities).
Highest-paying cities
- Los Angeles, CA — $95,450
- New York, NY — $86,690
Dietitian and Nutritionist salary by state
| State | Median | 1-yr change | Take-home | Range | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| California | $98,850 | +5.6% | $72,122 | $72,780 – $130,850 | 8,720 |
| West Virginia | $89,440 | +34.2% | $68,375 | $55,350 – $103,130 | 520 |
| Alaska | $87,980 | +8.6% | $70,724 | $70,100 – $105,970 | 130 |
| New Jersey | $84,450 | +8.2% | $65,051 | $62,670 – $114,400 | 2,870 |
| Washington | $84,220 | +3.9% | $68,079 | $62,100 – $108,010 | 1,450 |
| Oregon | $84,180 | −1.0% | $61,515 | $65,400 – $105,020 | 700 |
| New York | $82,480 | +4.0% | $62,998 | $62,100 – $105,830 | 5,330 |
| District of Columbia | $82,150 | +6.7% | $62,608 | $50,010 – $111,530 | 270 |
| Hawaii | $81,920 | −0.4% | $61,765 | $65,330 – $100,610 | 370 |
| Connecticut | $80,600 | +1.1% | $62,674 | $61,570 – $100,140 | 860 |
| Delaware | $78,060 | +9.7% | $59,934 | $57,810 – $111,600 | 290 |
| Maryland | $77,800 | −0.8% | $60,230 | $61,470 – $100,900 | 1,430 |
| Minnesota | $77,540 | +2.6% | $59,630 | $62,660 – $94,580 | 1,180 |
| Vermont | $77,450 | +1.8% | $60,665 | $61,960 – $102,500 | 160 |
| Virginia | $77,380 | +2.9% | $59,632 | $44,940 – $103,130 | 1,510 |
| Massachusetts | $76,660 | −5.2% | $59,147 | $63,310 – $107,150 | 2,860 |
| Florida | $76,050 | +5.8% | $62,331 | $49,920 – $93,530 | 4,370 |
| Colorado | $75,510 | +4.0% | $59,337 | $59,840 – $114,350 | 1,640 |
| Wisconsin | $74,930 | +7.9% | $58,952 | $58,040 – $91,520 | 1,330 |
| New Mexico | $74,730 | +10.9% | $59,056 | $56,260 – $91,660 | 500 |
| Texas | $74,440 | +11.7% | $61,199 | $40,040 – $98,960 | 5,320 |
| Illinois | $73,520 | +8.5% | $57,057 | $51,330 – $115,190 | 2,840 |
| Georgia | $73,200 | −1.1% | $57,150 | $47,250 – $96,430 | 2,020 |
| Iowa | $72,690 | +5.5% | $57,857 | $50,720 – $92,940 | 630 |
| New Hampshire | $71,840 | +11.2% | $59,369 | $33,280 – $92,810 | 440 |
| Idaho | $71,610 | +9.9% | $56,521 | $47,870 – $87,780 | 420 |
| Montana | $71,580 | +9.1% | $56,503 | $60,280 – $90,740 | 230 |
| Rhode Island | $71,300 | −7.1% | $56,933 | $51,060 – $100,770 | 360 |
| Louisiana | $70,460 | +0.0% | $56,671 | $49,230 – $91,560 | 800 |
| Nebraska | $70,160 | +2.3% | $55,875 | $57,340 – $89,550 | 570 |
| North Dakota | $70,040 | +12.0% | $57,997 | $59,860 – $86,260 | 270 |
| South Carolina | $69,970 | +4.4% | $55,013 | $40,630 – $95,020 | 950 |
| Oklahoma | $69,560 | +3.2% | $55,181 | $39,580 – $86,990 | 1,230 |
| Ohio | $69,530 | −0.7% | $56,615 | $36,970 – $91,820 | 3,060 |
| Kentucky | $69,520 | +4.9% | $55,422 | $31,820 – $89,710 | 1,040 |
| Nevada | $69,030 | −1.0% | $57,393 | $35,820 – $101,400 | 560 |
| Tennessee | $67,620 | +8.0% | $56,401 | $40,860 – $90,200 | 1,230 |
| North Carolina | $67,560 | +4.1% | $54,172 | $48,910 – $88,860 | 2,780 |
| Pennsylvania | $67,410 | +2.1% | $54,183 | $43,370 – $92,150 | 4,270 |
| Michigan | $66,850 | −7.9% | $53,269 | $48,420 – $84,530 | 2,370 |
| Kansas | $66,830 | +2.9% | $52,915 | $56,320 – $90,310 | 580 |
| Indiana | $66,450 | +4.1% | $53,642 | $43,050 – $84,320 | 1,670 |
| Alabama | $66,190 | +1.5% | $52,319 | $50,970 – $87,450 | 780 |
| Arkansas | $65,540 | +7.9% | $52,498 | $44,700 – $174,060 | 650 |
| Missouri | $65,450 | +5.0% | $52,630 | $43,980 – $85,900 | 1,700 |
| Utah | $65,310 | +6.8% | $52,684 | $35,860 – $99,770 | 1,120 |
| South Dakota | $64,890 | +4.0% | $54,319 | $50,260 – $88,710 | 210 |
| Maine | $64,610 | −0.9% | $50,915 | $35,360 – $129,180 | 510 |
| Arizona | $64,410 | −1.4% | $52,532 | $43,150 – $92,370 | 1,800 |
| Wyoming | $64,370 | −9.0% | $53,901 | $42,770 – $100,930 | 120 |
| Mississippi | $63,700 | +2.9% | $51,547 | $42,810 – $86,260 | 540 |
Related jobs
| Job | Median salary | Education | Growth 2025–35 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acupuncturist | $76,040 | Master's degree | +8.6% |
| Therapists, All Other | $77,930 | Bachelor's degree | +12.6% |
| Chiropractor | $79,200 | Doctoral or professional degree | +8.7% |
| Respiratory Therapist | $82,280 | Associate's degree | +8.5% |
| Recreational Therapist | $61,960 | Bachelor's degree | +4.8% |
| Exercise Physiologist | $59,460 | Bachelor's degree | +12.8% |
| Audiologist | $95,780 | Doctoral or professional degree | +11.0% |
| Registered Nurse | $97,550 | Bachelor's degree | +5.6% |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $97,870 | Master's degree | +16.6% |
| Dental Hygienist | $98,100 | Associate's degree | +8.0% |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a dietitian and nutritionist make?
The national median salary for dietitians and nutritionists is $76,400 a year ($36.73 an hour). The lowest-paid 10% earn under $49,090 and the top 10% earn over $103,720. Source: BLS, May 2025.
Which state pays dietitians and nutritionists the most?
California has the highest median pay at $98,850. After taxes and local prices, Los Angeles, CA offers the best real take-home pay of any metro area.
How many dietitians and nutritionists are there in the U.S.?
About 77,570 people work as dietitians and nutritionists nationwide.