Entry-Level Dietitian and Nutritionist Salary in Racine, WI: $52,512 (2026)
Quick Answer:New dietitians and nutritionists entering the Racine, WI job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $52,512 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-1031, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Racine's local price level (BEA RPP 93.4 — 7% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $56,223 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($77,140) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, new graduates entering the field of dietetics and nutrition in Racine, Wisconsin, can expect an entry-level dietitian and nutritionist salary starting around $52,512. While this figure is significantly lower than the city’s median annual salary of $77,140, it reflects the typical pay for early-career professionals breaking into the market. Over the course of the first three to five years, new RDNs can anticipate growth in their earnings, with potential salaries reaching approximately $65,323 at the 25th percentile and ultimately approaching the median as they gain experience and credentials. Given the projected growth rate of 3.90%, Racine presents a reasonable job market for fresh graduates looking to establish their careers quickly, especially if they actively seek out employment opportunities in local healthcare facilities and community programs.
About the Racine Market
Salary estimated from Wisconsin average ($66,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Racine
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 Racine
Entry-level dietitian and nutritionists in Racine, WI typically start between $52,512 and $65,323 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $53,551 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $77,140 — 2.82% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average nutrition program cost in Wisconsin of $60,000 represents just 114.26% of the starting dietitian and nutritionist pay ($52,512/year) in Racine. 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 Racine
- 1Research the Racine market: entry-level dietitian and nutritionist pay ranges from $52,512 to $65,323, 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 Racine, 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 Racine for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Racine'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 Racine is $53,551 ( 101.98%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $52,512, experienced hygienists can earn up to $106,063.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$40,040
2025 BLS Actual
$50,541
2026 Current Est.
$52,512
2019–2027 Growth
+36.3%
Salary Trajectory for Dietitians and Nutritionists in Racine (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.90% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $40,040 | Actual |
| 2020 | $41,018 | Actual |
| 2021 | $46,500 | Actual |
| 2022 | $45,445 | Actual |
| 2023 | $46,237 | Actual |
| 2024 | $42,538 | Actual |
| 2025 | $50,541 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $52,512 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $54,560 | Projected |
Entry-level dietitian and nutritionist compensation (10th percentile) in Racine, WI grew 26.2% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $40,040 in 2019 to $50,541 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $54,560. New graduates entering the Racine job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Racine 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 Racine
In Racine, various employers focus on hiring new graduates, particularly within hospital clinical nutrition departments. These institutions often provide rotations through critical care and outpatient settings, which are invaluable for new RDNs aiming to build practical experience. Long-term care facilities frequently recruit through well-established food service contract companies like Sodexo and Aramark, while public health initiatives, such as the WIC program, offer incentives like loan repayment for servicing medically underserved areas. For entry-level professionals, holding a Bachelor’s degree along with an ACEND-accredited Dietetic Internship is essential, while mastering the new requirement of obtaining a Master’s degree by 2024 to earn the RDN credential is also pivotal. This educational shift may initially impact starting dietitian and nutritionist pay in WI, but it positions professionals for solid salary progression in the long term. In the first few years, realistic salary growth can lead to earnings well beyond that initial figure, especially for those who pursue specialty certifications, reflecting dedication to continuing education and expertise in the field.
More salary data for Racine, WI:
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 Racine. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Racine 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