A registered dietitian’s salary depends on your location, work setting, experience, qualifications, and responsibilities. Dietitians working in hospitals, outpatient care centers, government agencies, and private practice can earn different amounts. Comparing salary ranges can help you understand what to expect and identify opportunities that fit your career goals.
The latest available U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) wage data reports a median annual salary of $76,400 for dietitians and nutritionists in May 2025. This guide covers national salary percentiles, pay by work setting, median wages in all 50 states and Washington, D.C., and the factors that can influence your earning potential.
What Is the Average Registered Dietitian Salary in 2026?
The national median provides a useful benchmark when researching a dietitian salary. However, it does not represent the exact pay every registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN) can expect to earn.
BLS counted approximately 77,570 jobs in the combined dietitian and nutritionist occupation in May 2025. Its wage estimates show how earnings vary across the profession.
| National salary measure | Annual wage | Hourly wage |
| 10th percentile | $49,090 | $23.60 |
| 25th percentile | $63,080 | — |
| Median | $76,400 | $36.73 |
| 75th percentile | $89,340 | — |
| 90th percentile | $103,720 | $49.87 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.
The median means half of workers earn more than $76,400 and half earn less. The middle half of the occupation earns between $63,080 and $89,340 annually. This $26,260 range provides more context than the median alone.
At the lower end, 10% of workers earn $49,090 or less. At the upper end, 10% earn more than $103,720. The difference between these two thresholds is $54,630.
These percentiles are not guaranteed starting or maximum salaries. They reflect differences in experience, responsibilities, employers, specialties, and locations.
One distinction is important: BLS groups dietitians and nutritionists under the same occupation, SOC 29-1031. Its figures are therefore a broader industry benchmark, not a separate salary estimate for registered dietitians alone. The annual figures are also estimates based on May 2025 data, rather than a direct measurement of salaries earned throughout 2026.
Registered Dietitian Salary by Work Setting
Your workplace can influence your salary, day-to-day duties, and opportunities for advancement. BLS reports different median wages across major industries that employ dietitians and nutritionists.
| Work setting | Median annual wage |
| Outpatient care centers | $80,790 |
| Hospitals | $78,180 |
| Government, excluding state and local education and hospitals | $78,070 |
| Nursing and residential care facilities | $75,670 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2025 wage data .
Outpatient Care Centers
Outpatient care centers reported the highest median wage among these four industries, at $80,790 per year. Dietitians in these settings may provide nutrition counseling, help patients manage chronic conditions, and develop nutrition plans for ongoing care.
Hospitals and Clinical Care
Hospitals reported a median annual wage of $78,180. Clinical dietitians assess nutritional needs, develop care plans, and coordinate with healthcare professionals to support patients during treatment and recovery.
The clinical dietitian salary can vary based on specialty, employer, location, and experience. The hospital figure is an industry-wide median for the combined occupation, not a separate median for clinical dietitians.
Government and Long-Term Care
Government positions reported a median wage of $78,070, while nursing and residential care facilities reported $75,670. Government roles may involve public health initiatives and nutrition education. Long-term care dietitians may support residents’ dietary needs, meal planning, and nutrition standards.
These figures are useful for comparing industries, but individual salaries can vary significantly within each setting.
Dietitian Salary by State: All 50 States and Washington, D.C.
Location can affect earning potential, but the highest-paying state does not necessarily offer the best financial outcome for every worker. Living costs, job availability, and local salary ranges also matter.
The table below includes all 50 states and Washington, D.C., ranked by median annual wage from highest to lowest. It uses May 2025 BLS estimates for dietitians and nutritionists, not registered dietitians exclusively.
| State or district | Employed | 10th percentile | 25th percentile | Median | 75th percentile | 90th percentile | Mean annual wage | Hourly mean |
| California | 8,720 | $72,780 | $83,270 | $98,850 | $110,660 | $130,850 | $98,780 | $47.52 |
| West Virginia | 520 | $55,350 | $71,270 | $89,440 | $92,390 | $103,130 | $81,860 | $43.00 |
| Alaska | 130 | $70,100 | $78,330 | $87,980 | $97,510 | $105,970 | $87,810 | $42.30 |
| New Jersey | 2,870 | $62,670 | $75,570 | $84,450 | $98,530 | $114,400 | $87,460 | $40.60 |
| Washington | 1,450 | $62,100 | $72,230 | $84,220 | $99,940 | $108,010 | $85,170 | $40.49 |
| Oregon | 700 | $65,400 | $75,350 | $84,180 | $99,660 | $105,020 | $86,210 | $40.47 |
| New York | 5,330 | $62,100 | $72,040 | $82,480 | $98,100 | $105,830 | $84,760 | $39.66 |
| District of Columbia | 270 | $50,010 | $77,210 | $82,150 | $98,430 | $111,530 | $84,530 | $39.50 |
| Hawaii | 370 | $65,330 | $76,370 | $81,920 | $94,070 | $100,610 | $84,050 | $39.38 |
| Connecticut | 860 | $61,570 | $68,830 | $80,600 | $90,020 | $100,140 | $82,260 | $38.75 |
| Delaware | 290 | $57,810 | $65,650 | $78,060 | $95,320 | $111,600 | $81,180 | $37.53 |
| Maryland | 1,430 | $61,470 | $70,490 | $77,800 | $86,900 | $100,900 | $80,860 | $37.41 |
| Minnesota | 1,180 | $62,660 | $68,020 | $77,540 | $85,140 | $94,580 | $77,620 | $37.28 |
| Vermont | 160 | $61,960 | $71,510 | $77,450 | $89,990 | $102,500 | $80,280 | $37.24 |
| Virginia | 1,510 | $44,940 | $59,750 | $77,380 | $88,700 | $103,130 | $75,730 | $37.20 |
| Massachusetts | 2,860 | $63,310 | $71,540 | $76,660 | $94,530 | $107,150 | $82,390 | $36.86 |
| Florida | 4,370 | $49,920 | $62,990 | $76,050 | $82,040 | $93,530 | $73,270 | $36.56 |
| Colorado | 1,640 | $59,840 | $65,170 | $75,510 | $87,920 | $114,350 | $78,730 | $36.30 |
| Wisconsin | 1,330 | $58,040 | $65,580 | $74,930 | $82,170 | $91,520 | $74,320 | $36.03 |
| New Mexico | 500 | $56,260 | $62,320 | $74,730 | $78,320 | $91,660 | $72,860 | $35.93 |
| Texas | 5,320 | $40,040 | $60,960 | $74,440 | $84,570 | $98,960 | $72,670 | $35.79 |
| Illinois | 2,840 | $51,330 | $62,800 | $73,520 | $83,010 | $115,190 | $77,060 | $35.35 |
| Georgia | 2,020 | $47,250 | $62,200 | $73,200 | $83,280 | $96,430 | $74,860 | $35.19 |
| Iowa | 630 | $50,720 | $62,960 | $72,690 | $80,100 | $92,940 | $71,310 | $34.95 |
| New Hampshire | 440 | $33,280 | $38,300 | $71,840 | $83,400 | $92,810 | $67,420 | $34.54 |
| Idaho | 420 | $47,870 | $59,790 | $71,610 | $78,430 | $87,780 | $69,790 | $34.43 |
| Montana | 230 | $60,280 | $63,380 | $71,580 | $78,540 | $90,740 | $72,750 | $34.42 |
| Rhode Island | 360 | $51,060 | $64,600 | $71,300 | $86,680 | $100,770 | $75,820 | $34.28 |
| Louisiana | 800 | $49,230 | $61,940 | $70,460 | $80,880 | $91,560 | $71,130 | $33.87 |
| Nebraska | 570 | $57,340 | $60,230 | $70,160 | $80,930 | $89,550 | $71,090 | $33.73 |
| North Dakota | 270 | $59,860 | $64,060 | $70,040 | $79,980 | $86,260 | $72,550 | $33.67 |
| South Carolina | 950 | $40,630 | $58,960 | $69,970 | $79,620 | $95,020 | $69,800 | $33.64 |
| Oklahoma | 1,230 | $39,580 | $52,000 | $69,560 | $83,390 | $86,990 | $68,270 | $33.44 |
| Ohio | 3,060 | $36,970 | $60,390 | $69,530 | $79,110 | $91,820 | $68,690 | $33.43 |
| Kentucky | 1,040 | $31,820 | $50,010 | $69,520 | $78,880 | $89,710 | $65,570 | $33.43 |
| Nevada | 560 | $35,820 | $62,970 | $69,030 | $89,230 | $101,400 | $73,910 | $33.19 |
| Tennessee | 1,230 | $40,860 | $57,780 | $67,620 | $77,880 | $90,200 | $67,910 | $32.51 |
| North Carolina | 2,780 | $48,910 | $59,770 | $67,560 | $78,690 | $88,860 | $69,050 | $32.48 |
| Pennsylvania | 4,270 | $43,370 | $54,810 | $67,410 | $78,850 | $92,150 | $68,000 | $32.41 |
| Michigan | 2,370 | $48,420 | $57,800 | $66,850 | $78,530 | $84,530 | $67,750 | $32.14 |
| Kansas | 580 | $56,320 | $61,870 | $66,830 | $79,510 | $90,310 | $71,110 | $32.13 |
| Indiana | 1,670 | $43,050 | $56,830 | $66,450 | $78,040 | $84,320 | $66,780 | $31.95 |
| Alabama | 780 | $50,970 | $60,940 | $66,190 | $77,700 | $87,450 | $68,920 | $31.82 |
| Arkansas | 650 | $44,700 | $56,450 | $65,540 | $83,050 | $174,060 | $83,050 | $31.51 |
| Missouri | 1,700 | $43,980 | $58,030 | $65,450 | $76,860 | $85,900 | $66,330 | $31.47 |
| Utah | 1,120 | $35,860 | $50,110 | $65,310 | $81,610 | $99,770 | $66,410 | $31.40 |
| South Dakota | 210 | $50,260 | $59,470 | $64,890 | $77,830 | $88,710 | $68,220 | $31.20 |
| Maine | 510 | $35,360 | $45,230 | $64,610 | $87,820 | $129,180 | $72,160 | $31.06 |
| Arizona | 1,800 | $43,150 | $43,150 | $64,410 | $78,780 | $92,370 | $64,960 | $30.97 |
| Wyoming | 120 | $42,770 | $44,120 | $64,370 | $83,920 | $100,930 | $67,640 | $30.95 |
| Mississippi | 540 | $42,810 | $48,280 | $63,700 | $77,060 | $86,260 | $65,160 | $30.63 |
Annual wage figures are shown in dollars. The final column is hourly mean pay. Employment and wage figures are from the May 2025 BLS wage estimates for dietitians and nutritionists .
What Do the State Salary Differences Mean?
California has the highest median wage in this table at $98,850, while Mississippi has the lowest at $63,700. That is a difference of $35,150 per year.
California also has the largest employment count, with 8,720 jobs. A high median, however, does not automatically make a state the best choice. Compare housing, transportation, taxes, local vacancies, and the pay offered for your particular experience level.
State medians also do not show the full salary range. In many states, the difference between the 10th and 90th percentiles is substantial. Your experience, specialty, employer, and responsibilities may affect your salary as much as your location.
Why Can Smaller States Have Unusual Salary Estimates?
Employment levels can affect how much state estimates fluctuate between survey releases. Alaska, for example, has a median wage of $87,980 based on an estimated 130 jobs, while California’s $98,850 median is based on 8,720 jobs.
Smaller employment counts do not automatically make an estimate incorrect, but they are a reason to look beyond one number. Review the full percentile range and compare local job postings before using a state median to set your salary expectations.
The same caution applies to figures that appear unusually high at the upper end of a state’s distribution. Percentiles and mean wages measure different aspects of pay, so check the full data row rather than assuming every statistic describes the same worker.
What Affects a Dietitian’s Salary?
Several factors can influence your earning potential over the course of your career.
Experience and Education
Early-career dietitians may earn less than professionals with extensive clinical experience or management responsibilities. Employers may value experience in patient care, nutrition program coordination, staff supervision, and departmental operations. Developing relevant registered dietitian job skills can also help you prepare for roles with different responsibilities.
Education can also affect eligibility for certain roles. However, an additional degree does not guarantee higher pay. Its value depends on the position, employer, and skills you gain.
Specialty and Responsibilities
Dietitians can work in clinical care, community nutrition, outpatient counseling, long-term care, food service management, and private practice. Each path involves different duties and qualifications.
Leadership roles may provide opportunities to manage teams, budgets, and nutrition programs. For example, a dietetic assistant director role can involve staff supervision, nutrition services, and food-service operations.
Actual compensation depends on the employer and the scope of the role.
Employer and Location
Hospitals, outpatient centers, government agencies, and residential care facilities can offer different pay structures and benefits. When comparing jobs, review paid leave, retirement contributions, insurance, schedule flexibility, and advancement opportunities alongside base salary.
Dietitian vs. Nutritionist Salary: What Is the Difference?
The terms dietitian and nutritionist do not always represent the same qualifications. Registered dietitians complete specific education and supervised practice requirements and must meet the applicable registration criteria. Requirements for nutritionist titles vary by state.
Because BLS groups dietitians and nutritionists together, its national wage estimates do not provide a direct comparison between the two titles. A registered dietitian nutritionist salary can also vary by employer, location, specialty, and level of responsibility.
When comparing job offers, check the required credentials, duties, state licensing rules, and salary range. Comparing positions with similar requirements gives you a more useful picture of compensation.
Does the RDN Credential Affect Salary?
The Registered Dietitian Nutritionist credential can affect which roles you qualify for, particularly positions that require a registered dietitian credential. If you’re considering this career, learn how to become a registered dietitian .
However, the BLS salary figures above combine workers in the broader occupation and do not isolate the pay of RDNs from other dietitians and nutritionists.
For people seeking eligibility to take the dietitian registration exam for the first time on or after January 1, 2024, the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) requires a graduate degree. Applicants must also meet the applicable education and supervised practice requirements.
Before enrolling in a program, check whether it meets the relevant accreditation and eligibility requirements. State licensing rules can also differ, so review the rules in the state where you intend to practice.
How Can Registered Dietitians Increase Their Earning Potential?
Registered dietitians can take several practical steps to strengthen their career prospects:
- Build specialized skills: Develop expertise that matches the needs of your preferred employers or patient populations.
- Gain relevant experience: Seek responsibilities that demonstrate clinical judgment, communication, coordination, or leadership.
- Consider management positions: Explore opportunities to supervise staff, manage budgets, or lead nutrition services.
- Compare employers and locations: Review pay ranges for similar roles across healthcare systems, outpatient centers, government agencies, and private employers.
- Assess the full compensation package: Include benefits, retirement contributions, paid leave, and schedule flexibility in your comparison.
Before paying for additional training or education, review job postings for your target position. Confirm which qualifications employers actually request and weigh the likely benefits against the cost.
To Conclude!
A registered dietitian salary depends on location, work setting, experience, credentials, and responsibilities. National figures provide a starting point, while state and industry estimates help you compare opportunities.
Use the salary ranges as benchmarks rather than guarantees. Reviewing current job postings, local living costs, and qualification requirements can help you make a more informed decision about your next step in dietetics.
FAQs
Can a Registered Dietitian Earn More Than $100,000 a Year?
Yes. The top 10% of dietitians and nutritionists earned more than $103,720 annually in May 2025. This figure represents the upper end of the wage range, not a guaranteed salary.
What Is the Hourly Pay for Dietitians?
The national median was $36.73 per hour in May 2025. Actual hourly earnings depend on work hours, employment type, and job responsibilities.
Is a Master’s Degree Worth the Cost for Dietitians?
A master’s degree is part of the current education requirements for becoming a registered dietitian. Compare tuition costs with realistic salary expectations and the roles you want to pursue.
Is the Dietitian Job Market Expected to Grow?
Yes. BLS projects 8% employment growth for dietitians and nutritionists from 2025 to 2035. Demand for nutrition services may contribute to this growth.
How Much Do Dietetic Technicians Earn?
Dietetic technicians have a separate occupation and generally earn less than dietitians. Their pay varies by location and employer, so check the latest BLS wage data for an accurate comparison.
