Dietitian Pay

Entry-Level Dietitian and Nutritionist Salary in Medina, OH: $49,358 (2026)

Quick Answer:New dietitians and nutritionists entering the Medina, OH job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $49,358 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-1031, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Medina's local price level (BEA RPP 90.79% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $54,419 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($70,863) within a few years of clinical practice.

$49,358
Starting Salary
$23.73/hr
Starting Hourly
$49,358
Entry Level
$70,863
Career Median Target

Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

Dietitian and Nutritionist Entry Level Salary in Medina, OH — 2026 est., based on 2025 BLS
Medina, OH dietitian and nutritionist entry level salary overview (2026 est., based on 2025 BLS)

New graduates embarking on their careers as dietitians and nutritionists in Medina, Ohio, can anticipate a starting salary around $49,358. This entry-level figure significantly trails the city’s median annual salary of $70,863, highlighting a gap that entry-level professionals should consider when planning their finances. However, there is potential for growth as early-career dietitians and nutritionists can expect to see salaries progress from $49,358 to approximately $59,079 as they gain experience. Over the course of their first three to five years, the path to the city’s median salary becomes more accessible, suggesting that Medina presents a viable market for new grads eager to establish their careers in nutrition.

About the Medina Market

Salary estimated from Ohio average ($64,000) adjusted for local cost of living.

Career Earnings Timeline in Medina

Year 0-2

New Graduate

$49,358/yr
Year 2-5

Early Career

$59,079/yr
Year 5-10

Mid Career

$70,863/yr
Year 10+

Experienced

$82,487/yr

Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.

2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Medina

Vertical bar chart of 10th through 90th percentile salaries for dietitian and nutritionists in Medina. The median salary is $70,863, compared to the national median of $79,380.$44.4K$58.1K$71.7K$85.3K$99.0K$49.4K10th Pctl$59.1K25th Pctl$70.9KMedian$82.5K75th Pctl$94.2K90th PctlUS Median$79.4K

Entry-level dietitian and nutritionists in Medina, OH typically start between $49,358 and $59,079 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $44,889 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $70,86310.73% below the national median.

Source: BLS OEWS projected to 2026. Percentiles reflect the distribution of dietitian and nutritionist pay in the Medina metro area.

Return on Investment

$65,000
Avg OH Program Cost
$49,358
Starting Salary
131.69%
Cost-to-Salary Ratio
1.3 yr
Payback Estimate

The average nutrition program cost in Ohio of $65,000 represents just 131.69% of the starting dietitian and nutritionist pay ($49,358/year) in Medina. 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 Medina

  • 1Research the Medina market: entry-level dietitian and nutritionist pay ranges from $49,358 to $59,079, 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 OH often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
  • 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Medina, 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 Medina for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
  • 5Medina'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 Medina is $44,889 ( 90.95%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $49,358, experienced hygienists can earn up to $94,247.

Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.

2019 BLS Actual

$37,634

2025 BLS Actual

$47,505

2026 Current Est.

$49,358

2019–2027 Growth

+36.3%

Salary Trajectory for Dietitians and Nutritionists in Medina (20192027)

2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.90% projection.

BLS Actual Estimated Projected
Salary trajectory chart for dietitians and nutritionists in Medina. Baseline $37,634 in 2025, projected to $51,283 by 2027.$34.9K$39.7K$44.5K$49.2K$54.0K2019202020212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$37.6K$38.6K$41.2K$42.7K$43.5K$40.0K$47.5K$49.4K$51.3K
YearAnnual SalaryStatus
2019$37,634Actual
2020$38,554Actual
2021$41,157Actual
2022$42,715Actual
2023$43,460Actual
2024$40,036Actual
2025$47,505Actual
2026(current)$49,358Estimated
2027$51,283Projected

Entry-level dietitian and nutritionist compensation (10th percentile) in Medina, OH grew 26.2% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $37,634 in 2019 to $47,505 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $51,283. New graduates entering the Medina job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.

Note: Historical values (20192025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Medina metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 20262026 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 Medina

Employers in Medina typically provide opportunities for new dietitians and nutritionists, especially within clinical settings. Many of these entry-level positions are available in hospital nutrition departments, where new registered dietitian nutritionists (RDNs) often rotate through various departments like med-surg, ICU, and outpatient services. Long-term care facilities frequently recruit through contract companies such as Sodexo, Aramark, and Morrison, while public health organizations like WIC offer incentives in the form of loan repayment for professionals in high-need areas. To enhance their earning potential, new graduates should focus on obtaining the necessary credentials—completion of an ACEND-accredited Dietetic Internship and obtaining the RDN credential from the CDR are essential. With the recent CDR requirement for a master’s degree effective 2024, transitioning into advanced educational opportunities can be strategic. The cash-pay model for private practice and intuitive eating approaches has also increased, presenting alternative paths for career growth beyond traditional medical settings. In the first few years, while salary growth expectations remain modest, new grads who diversify their skill sets can carve out rewarding niches in this evolving field.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the starting salary for dietitians and nutritionists in Medina in 2026?

Entry-level dietitians and nutritionists in Medina start at approximately $49,358/year (10th percentile), based on estimated 2026 salary (projected from 2025 BLS data at 3.90% annual growth). This is the typical range for new graduates with less than 1 year of clinical experience. The starting hourly equivalent is approximately $23.73/hour for full-time work. Starting pay depends on the practice type (private vs. large organization), patient volume, location within the metro area, and whether the position includes benefits.

How fast do dietitian and nutritionist salaries grow in Medina?

Most dietitians and nutritionists in Medina progress from the entry-level salary of $49,358 to the area median of $70,863 within 3–5 years of clinical experience. Top earners with specializations and certifications reach $94,247 (90th percentile). The biggest salary jumps typically come in years 2–5 as clinical skills develop, and again when obtaining advanced certifications or expanded-function credentials. Salary growth after 10 years tends to plateau unless moving into management or education roles.

Is nutrition school worth it in Medina?

With a starting salary of $49,358/year in Medina and typical program costs ranging from $20,000–$80,000 for the required degree, graduates can expect a strong return on investment. Most new dietitians and nutritionists recoup their tuition within 1–3 years of working full-time. The profession also offers excellent work-life balance, flexible scheduling, low unemployment rates, and growing demand driven by an aging population's care needs.

What do new dietitians and nutritionists make right out of school in Medina?

New nutrition graduates in Medina typically start near the 10th percentile at $49,358/year, or approximately $23.73/hour. Starting pay varies based on the practice type, patient volume, geographic location within the metro area, and whether the compensation package includes benefits like health insurance and retirement contributions. Graduates with internships at high-production practices often secure higher starting offers.

How do I become a dietitian and nutritionist in Ohio?

To become a licensed dietitian and nutritionist in Ohio, you typically need bachelor's degree in dietetics, nutrition, or a related field is required., then pass the required national and state licensing examinations. Most states, including Ohio, also require a clinical licensing exam. After obtaining licensure, you must maintain it through continuing education credits. Some dietitians and nutritionists pursue advanced degrees for career advancement into education, research, or public health roles.

Related Pages

Nearby Cities in Ohio

AP

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.

Clinically reviewed by Carlos Gomez, RDNData verified by Emily Chen, MS, RDN

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 Medina. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.

Data Sources & Methodology

Salary data for Medina is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).

View estimation methodology

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

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