Entry-Level Dietitian and Nutritionist Salary in Burlington, IA: $49,796 (2026)
Quick Answer:New dietitians and nutritionists entering the Burlington, IA job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $49,796 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-1031, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Burlington's local price level (BEA RPP 90.4 — 10% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $55,084 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($73,546) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Burlington, Iowa, the entry-level dietitian and nutritionist salary is projected to start at around $49,796 in 2026. This figure positions new graduates below the median annual salary for the city, which is anticipated to be $73,546. While starting pay may seem modest, entry-level professionals can expect to see growth in earnings over their first few years in the workforce. As they gain experience and increase their skills, salaries are likely to rise, with estimates suggesting a move toward the $61,950 mark within just a few years. Considering the expected growth rate of 3.90% annually, Burlington appears to be a relatively supportive market for new dietitian and nutritionist graduates looking to establish their careers.
About the Burlington Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($64,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Burlington
New Graduate
Early Career
Mid Career
Experienced
Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Burlington
Entry-level dietitian and nutritionists in Burlington, IA typically start between $49,796 and $61,950 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $44,484 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $73,546 — 7.35% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average nutrition program cost in Iowa of $55,000 represents just 110.45% of the starting dietitian and nutritionist pay ($49,796/year) in Burlington. Most graduates begin earning back their investment from day one, though actual ROI varies based on living expenses, loan interest, and the 2-year opportunity cost of schooling.
Program cost estimates based on ACEND-accredited dietetics program data and university tuition surveys. Tuition-only averages; actual costs vary significantly by institution type (public in-state, public out-of-state, private) and degree level (bachelor's vs. master's).
DN Salary Negotiation Tips for New Graduates in Burlington
- 1Research the Burlington market: entry-level dietitian and nutritionist pay ranges from $49,796 to $61,950, so aim for at least the 25th percentile if you have strong credentials.
- 2Highlight any additional certifications or specialty training within the nutrition field — employers in IA often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Burlington, benefits like health insurance, continuing-education allowances, and schedule flexibility can add 20-30% to your effective compensation.
- 4Consider starting with a larger hospital system or multi-site employer in Burlington for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Burlington's below-average cost of living means your starting salary goes further here compared to many larger metro areas.
Dietitian and Nutritionist Compensation Range
The dietitian and nutritionist wage spread in Burlington is $44,484 ( 89.33%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $49,796, experienced hygienists can earn up to $94,280.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$37,969
2025 BLS Actual
$47,927
2026 Current Est.
$49,796
2019–2027 Growth
+36.3%
Salary Trajectory for Dietitians and Nutritionists in Burlington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.90% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $37,969 | Actual |
| 2020 | $38,896 | Actual |
| 2021 | $41,522 | Actual |
| 2022 | $43,094 | Actual |
| 2023 | $43,846 | Actual |
| 2024 | $38,717 | Actual |
| 2025 | $47,927 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $49,796 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $51,738 | Projected |
Entry-level dietitian and nutritionist compensation (10th percentile) in Burlington, IA grew 26.2% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $37,969 in 2019 to $47,927 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $51,738. New graduates entering the Burlington job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Burlington metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 3.90% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Starting Your nutrition Career in Burlington
Several employers in Burlington actively recruit entry-level dietitians and nutritionists. Hospitals typically have clinical nutrition departments that offer significant opportunities for new RDNs, particularly through rotations in medical-surgical, ICU, and outpatient settings. Long-term care facilities, often associated with companies like Sodexo and Aramark, also seek fresh talent to strengthen their teams in institutional settings. Public health initiatives, such as the WIC program, may provide incentives like loan repayment options for those willing to work in designated shortage areas. To enhance earning potential, new graduates should focus on obtaining the CDR Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) credential and consider pursuing further education, as a master's degree will soon be essential to gaining this designation. With the shift toward cash-pay private practice models, particularly those centered around intuitive eating and Health at Every Size (HAES) approaches, new grads in Burlington have various career paths that can influence their starting pay and long-term salary growth.
More salary data for Burlington, IA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
Entry-level salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The 10th percentile (entry-level) is used as the starting salary benchmark for new nutrition graduates. A 3.90% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 entry-level compensation in Burlington. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Burlington is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.90%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for dietitian and nutritionists (SOC 29-1031).
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