Entry-Level Dietitian and Nutritionist Salary in Billings, MT: $56,002 (2026)
Quick Answer:New dietitians and nutritionists entering the Billings, MT job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $56,002 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-1031, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Billings's local price level (BEA RPP 93.5 — 6% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $59,879 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($74,579) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
For recent graduates entering the field of dietetics in Billings, Montana, the starting dietitian and nutritionist salary can be quite competitive, with entry-level positions expected to pay around $56,002 in 2026. While this initial figure may seem modest compared to the city’s overall median salary of $74,579, new graduates can anticipate a positive growth trajectory as they gain experience. Over the first few years, aspiring dietitians might climb from the entry-level wage to approximately $65,852 after gaining some practical experience. Billings offers a reasonable market environment for new dietitians and nutritionists, given the expected annual growth rate of 3.90% in this profession, making it an opportune time for recent graduates to start their careers in MT.
Career Earnings Timeline in Billings
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 Billings
Entry-level dietitian and nutritionists in Billings, MT typically start between $56,002 and $65,852 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $30,266 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $74,579 — 6.05% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average nutrition program cost in Montana of $55,000 represents just 98.21% of the starting dietitian and nutritionist pay ($56,002/year) in Billings. 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 Billings
- 1Research the Billings market: entry-level dietitian and nutritionist pay ranges from $56,002 to $65,852, 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 MT often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Billings, 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 Billings for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Billings'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 Billings is $30,266 ( 54.04%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $56,002, experienced hygienists can earn up to $86,268.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$42,701
2025 BLS Actual
$53,900
2026 Current Est.
$56,002
2019–2027 Growth
+36.3%
Salary Trajectory for Dietitians and Nutritionists in Billings (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.90% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $42,701 | Actual |
| 2020 | $43,744 | Actual |
| 2021 | $46,697 | Actual |
| 2022 | $31,200 | Actual |
| 2023 | $34,680 | Actual |
| 2024 | $47,640 | Actual |
| 2025 | $53,900 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $56,002 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $58,186 | Projected |
Entry-level dietitian and nutritionist compensation (10th percentile) in Billings, MT grew 26.2% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $42,701 in 2019 to $53,900 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $58,186. New graduates entering the Billings job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Billings 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 Billings
In Billings, various employers actively seek new graduates, primarily within clinical nutrition departments of hospitals that often rotate individuals through med-surg, ICU, and outpatient settings. Long-term care facilities frequently hire entry-level staff through major food service companies like Sodexo and Aramark. Public health roles, such as those in WIC programs, are also worth considering, especially since they often offer competitive benefits like loan repayment. To elevate starting annual salaries, obtaining a Bachelor's degree in conjunction with an ACEND-accredited Dietetic Internship is essential, and the newly implemented master's degree requirement for new Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDNs) by the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) as of 2024 further underscores the importance of advanced education. To prepare for the evolving job market, new graduates should focus on completing the necessary credentials and consider optional specialty certifications in areas like sports or clinical nutrition, positioning themselves for salary growth that reflects their expanding expertise during their first three years in the field.
More salary data for Billings, MT:
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 Billings. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 4-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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