Entry-Level Dietitian and Nutritionist Salary in Menomonie, WI: $49,042 (2026)
Quick Answer:New dietitians and nutritionists entering the Menomonie, WI job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $49,042 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-1031, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Menomonie's local price level (BEA RPP 93.4 — 7% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $52,507 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($74,191) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
For recent graduates entering the field, the entry-level dietitian and nutritionist salary in Menomonie, WI, can start at around $49,042. While this figure represents the lower end of the pay spectrum, it's crucial to recognize that Menomonie's median salary for this profession is projected at $74,191 in 2026. This creates a gap that represents the potential for upward mobility; new professionals can expect to see salary growth as they gain experience, with earnings potentially reaching $61,392 within the first few years. Considering the projected 3.90% growth rate, Menomonie presents a reasonably favorable market for new graduates, especially when contrasted with the national trend, where the median salary stands at $79,380.
About the Menomonie Market
Salary estimated from Wisconsin average ($66,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Menomonie
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 Menomonie
Entry-level dietitian and nutritionists in Menomonie, WI typically start between $49,042 and $61,392 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $44,391 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $74,191 — 6.54% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average nutrition program cost in Wisconsin of $60,000 represents just 122.34% of the starting dietitian and nutritionist pay ($49,042/year) in Menomonie. 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 Menomonie
- 1Research the Menomonie market: entry-level dietitian and nutritionist pay ranges from $49,042 to $61,392, 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 Menomonie, 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 Menomonie for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Menomonie'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 Menomonie is $44,391 ( 90.52%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $49,042, experienced hygienists can earn up to $93,433.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$37,393
2025 BLS Actual
$47,201
2026 Current Est.
$49,042
2019–2027 Growth
+36.3%
Salary Trajectory for Dietitians and Nutritionists in Menomonie (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.90% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $37,393 | Actual |
| 2020 | $38,307 | Actual |
| 2021 | $40,893 | Actual |
| 2022 | $42,441 | Actual |
| 2023 | $43,182 | Actual |
| 2024 | $39,828 | Actual |
| 2025 | $47,201 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $49,042 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $50,954 | Projected |
Entry-level dietitian and nutritionist compensation (10th percentile) in Menomonie, WI grew 26.2% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $37,393 in 2019 to $47,201 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $50,954. New graduates entering the Menomonie job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Menomonie 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 Menomonie
In Menomonie, several key employers actively seek to hire new grads in dietetics and nutrition. Hospitals typically have clinical nutrition departments that onboard new Registered Dietitians Nutritionists (RDNs), providing necessary clinical rotations across different settings, such as med-surg and outpatient care. Long-term care facilities also represent a significant employment opportunity, often recruiting through large food service providers like Sodexo, Aramark, and Morrison. Moreover, government public health programs like WIC may offer incentives, such as loan repayment options in designated shortage areas. To increase starting pay, aspiring dietitians should prioritize earning a Bachelor’s degree, completing an ACEND-accredited dietetic internship, and obtaining the RDN credential through the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR). Additionally, the shift to requiring a Master’s degree as of 2024 adds urgency for new entrants. In this evolving market, starting salaries are likely to see realistic increases as early-career professionals adapt to the competitive landscape, particularly if they consider expanding their expertise into cash-pay models of practice or specialized certifications offered by organizations like the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND).
More salary data for Menomonie, WI:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the starting salary for dietitians and nutritionists in Menomonie in 2026?
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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 Menomonie. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Menomonie 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