How much does a dietitian and nutritionist make?
The median dietitian and nutritionist in the United States earns $76,400 per year, about $36.73 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all dietitians and nutritionists earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 29-1031.
Dietitian and nutritionist salary range
Pay for dietitians and nutritionists spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $49,090 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $103,720. The average (mean) wage of $77,130 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $49,090 | $23.60 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $63,080 | $30.33 | |
| Median (50th) | $76,400 | $36.73 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $89,340 | $42.95 | |
| 90th percentile | $103,720 | $49.87 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for dietitians and nutritionists (SOC 29-1031), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Dietitian and nutritionist salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Dietitians and nutritionists earn the most in California at $98,850 a year, and the least in Mississippi at $63,700. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| California | $98,850 | 8,720 |
| West Virginia | $89,440 | 520 |
| Alaska | $87,980 | 130 |
| New Jersey | $84,450 | 2,870 |
| Washington | $84,220 | 1,450 |
| Oregon | $84,180 | 700 |
| New York | $82,480 | 5,330 |
| District of Columbia | $82,150 | 270 |
| Hawaii | $81,920 | 370 |
| Connecticut | $80,600 | 860 |
| Delaware | $78,060 | 290 |
| Maryland | $77,800 | 1,430 |
| Minnesota | $77,540 | 1,180 |
| Vermont | $77,450 | 160 |
| Virginia | $77,380 | 1,510 |
| Massachusetts | $76,660 | 2,860 |
| Florida | $76,050 | 4,370 |
| Colorado | $75,510 | 1,640 |
| Wisconsin | $74,930 | 1,330 |
| New Mexico | $74,730 | 500 |
| Texas | $74,440 | 5,320 |
| Illinois | $73,520 | 2,840 |
| Georgia | $73,200 | 2,020 |
| Iowa | $72,690 | 630 |
| New Hampshire | $71,840 | 440 |
| Idaho | $71,610 | 420 |
| Montana | $71,580 | 230 |
| Rhode Island | $71,300 | 360 |
| Louisiana | $70,460 | 800 |
| Nebraska | $70,160 | 570 |
| North Dakota | $70,040 | 270 |
| South Carolina | $69,970 | 950 |
| Oklahoma | $69,560 | 1,230 |
| Ohio | $69,530 | 3,060 |
| Kentucky | $69,520 | 1,040 |
| Nevada | $69,030 | 560 |
| Tennessee | $67,620 | 1,230 |
| North Carolina | $67,560 | 2,780 |
| Pennsylvania | $67,410 | 4,270 |
| Michigan | $66,850 | 2,370 |
| Kansas | $66,830 | 580 |
| Indiana | $66,450 | 1,670 |
| Alabama | $66,190 | 780 |
| Arkansas | $65,540 | 650 |
| Missouri | $65,450 | 1,700 |
| Utah | $65,310 | 1,120 |
| South Dakota | $64,890 | 210 |
| Maine | $64,610 | 510 |
| Arizona | $64,410 | 1,800 |
| Wyoming | $64,370 | 120 |
| Mississippi | $63,700 | 540 |
State median wages for dietitians and nutritionists (SOC 29-1031), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for dietitians and nutritionists
The BLS projects employment of dietitians and nutritionists to grow 7.7% from 2025 to 2035. That is faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 86,300 jobs in 2025 moving toward 93,000 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 5,700 openings a year for dietitians and nutritionists. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a dietitian and nutritionist
The typical entry-level education for dietitians and nutritionists is a bachelor's degree, according to the BLS. New hires typically complete an internship or residency to reach full competency.
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a dietitian and nutritionist earns
Specialty, work setting, shift differentials, certifications, and region drive the numbers. Hospitals, surgical settings, and high cost metros pay above clinics and rural facilities.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (California, $98,850) and the lowest (Mississippi, $63,700) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 77,570 people work as dietitians and nutritionists in the United States. At $76,400 a year, the job pays above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Dietitian and nutritionist salary FAQ
How much does a dietitian and nutritionist make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a dietitian and nutritionist is $36.73. The middle half of dietitians and nutritionists earn between $30.33 and $42.95 per hour.
What is the highest dietitian and nutritionist salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of dietitians and nutritionists earn more than $103,720 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a dietitian and nutritionist make a year?
The median annual salary for a dietitian and nutritionist is $76,400. The average (mean) wage of $77,130 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a dietitian and nutritionist a well paid job?
At $76,400 a year, a dietitian and nutritionist earns above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 77,570 people work as dietitians and nutritionists in the United States.
Which state pays dietitians and nutritionists the most?
California has the highest median salary for dietitians and nutritionists at $98,850 a year. West Virginia ($89,440) and Alaska ($87,980) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being a dietitian and nutritionist a good career?
Employment of dietitians and nutritionists is projected to grow 7.7% from 2025 to 2035, faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 5,700 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a dietitian and nutritionist?
The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for dietitians and nutritionists as a bachelor's degree, so a college degree is usually expected.
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