Entry-Level Dietitian and Nutritionist Salary in Kenosha, WI: $47,149 (2026)
Quick Answer:New dietitians and nutritionists entering the Kenosha, WI job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $47,149 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-1031, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Kenosha's local price level (BEA RPP 93.4 — 7% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $50,481 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($77,543) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
New graduates embarking on their journey as dietitians and nutritionists in Kenosha, WI, can anticipate a starting salary in the vicinity of $47,149 according to 2026 estimates. This entry-level pay is significantly lower than the city's median annual salary of $77,543, which highlights the financial trajectory new professionals can expect in their initial years. Over the course of three to five years, new RDNs may see their earnings grow toward the P25 figure of $66,149, making the Kenosha market a viable option for early-career specialists. For recent graduates, the opportunities in the local health sector, particularly in clinical settings, provide a promising path as they start their careers.
About the Kenosha Market
Salary estimated from Wisconsin average ($66,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Kenosha
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 Kenosha
Entry-level dietitian and nutritionists in Kenosha, WI typically start between $47,149 and $66,149 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $60,275 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $77,543 — 2.31% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average nutrition program cost in Wisconsin of $60,000 represents just 127.26% of the starting dietitian and nutritionist pay ($47,149/year) in Kenosha. 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 Kenosha
- 1Research the Kenosha market: entry-level dietitian and nutritionist pay ranges from $47,149 to $66,149, 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 WI often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Kenosha, 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 Kenosha for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Kenosha'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 Kenosha is $60,275 ( 127.84%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $47,149, experienced hygienists can earn up to $107,424.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$35,950
2025 BLS Actual
$45,379
2026 Current Est.
$47,149
2019–2027 Growth
+36.3%
Salary Trajectory for Dietitians and Nutritionists in Kenosha (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.90% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $35,950 | Actual |
| 2020 | $36,828 | Actual |
| 2021 | $39,315 | Actual |
| 2022 | $40,803 | Actual |
| 2023 | $41,515 | Actual |
| 2024 | $38,315 | Actual |
| 2025 | $45,379 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $47,149 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $48,988 | Projected |
Entry-level dietitian and nutritionist compensation (10th percentile) in Kenosha, WI grew 26.2% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $35,950 in 2019 to $45,379 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $48,988. New graduates entering the Kenosha job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Kenosha 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 Kenosha
Employers in Kenosha actively seek to fill entry-level roles, especially within hospital clinical nutrition departments where newly minted dietitians rotate through various areas including med-surg and ICU. Notably, organizations like Sodexo, Aramark, and Morrison Food Services frequently hire for long-term care positions. Public health organizations often recruit new grads, sometimes offering loan repayment programs in underserved areas through WIC. To boost their starting pay, newcomers should pursue credentials such as the CDR Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) credential and consider additional certifications, as the field has become more competitive with the introduction of the master's requirement for credentialing post-2024. In the first few years of practice, realistic salary expectations indicate gradual increases as professionals build experience and expertise, with many RDNs gaining visibility in cash-pay private practice and intuitive eating models that have gained traction recently.
More salary data for Kenosha, WI:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the starting salary for dietitians and nutritionists in Kenosha in 2026?
How fast do dietitian and nutritionist salaries grow in Kenosha?
Is nutrition school worth it in Kenosha?
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How do I become a dietitian and nutritionist in Wisconsin?
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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 Kenosha. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Kenosha 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