Dietitian and Nutritionist Salary in Alabama: $68,255 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Alabama's 24 metropolitan areas, the average median dietitian and nutritionist pay sits at $68,255/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-1031. Because Alabama sits at BEA RPP 87.9 (12% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $77,651 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Huntsville ($69,000), Mobile ($67,520), Hoover ($66,533).
In Alabama, the projected average median salary for dietitians and nutritionists in 2026 is $68,255, which is approximately 14% lower than the national median of $79,380. The salary varies significantly among different cities; for instance, the highest paying city is Huntsville, with salaries reaching $71,691, while Pelham offers the lowest at $63,315, resulting in a salary gap of $8,376. This disparity is often driven by factors such as local cost of living, demand for such professionals, and the concentration of healthcare facilities. State licensing requirements in Alabama align closely with national standards, ensuring that practicing dietitians and nutritionists meet specific educational and experience criteria. The scope of practice laws also impact salary potential, as limited practice settings can restrict job responsibilities and compensation. The employment outlook is optimistic, with a projected growth rate of 3.90% annually, indicating an increasing demand for nutrition services across the state. Top cities for employment, besides Huntsville, include Mobile at $70,153, Hoover at $69,128, Montgomery at $68,616, and Decatur at $68,591. Overall, the job market for dietitians and nutritionists in Alabama is expanding, positioning professionals well for opportunities in a variety of healthcare settings.
Alabama Dietitian and Nutritionist Salary Range
Overall salary range in Alabama: $32,251 (lowest entry-level) to $99,588 (highest top earner)
Alabama vs National Average
Alabama dietitians and nutritionists earn 14.01% less than the national median ($-11,125/year difference).
Alabama Dietitian and Nutritionist Salary Distribution (2026)
Dietitian and Nutritionist salaries in Alabama range from $49,920 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $91,140 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $68,255. The Alabama median is $11,125 below the US national median of $79,380. The average hourly rate is $32.81/hr. Approximately 698 dietitian and nutritionists are employed across 24 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$54,825
2025 BLS Actual
$65,693
2026 Current Est.
$68,255
2019–2027 Growth
+29.4%
Salary Trajectory for Dietitians and Nutritionists in Alabama (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.90% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $54,825 | Actual |
| 2020 | $55,231 | Actual |
| 2021 | $59,566 | Actual |
| 2022 | $60,946 | Actual |
| 2023 | $61,706 | Actual |
| 2024 | $63,729 | Actual |
| 2025 | $65,693 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $68,255 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $70,917 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Alabama metropolitan area, the median dietitian and nutritionist salary grew 19.8% from $54,825 (2019) to $65,693 (2025). At a 3.90% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $70,917 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,092 (29.35%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Alabama 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Alabama
Lowest Paying Cities in Alabama
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Pelham | $63,315 |
| Opelika | $63,905 |
| Auburn | $64,179 |
| Albertville | $65,580 |
| Vestavia Hills | $65,728 |
Best Value Cities for Dietitians and Nutritionists in Alabama
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Alabama cities offer the most purchasing power for dietitians and nutritionists.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mobile | $70,153 | 88.098 | $79,631 |
| Hoover | $69,128 | 87.9 | $78,644 |
| Decatur | $68,591 | 87.9 | $78,033 |
| Tuscaloosa | $68,314 | 87.722 | $77,876 |
| Huntsville | $71,691 | 93.072 | $77,027 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Alabama
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $49,920 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $68,255 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $91,140 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Alabama metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 24 Cities in Alabama
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Huntsville | $71,691 |
| 2 | Mobile | $70,153 |
| 3 | Hoover | $69,128 |
| 4 | Montgomery | $68,616 |
| 5 | Decatur | $68,591 |
| 6 | Tuscaloosa | $68,314 |
| 7 | Birmingham | $67,764 |
| 8 | Phenix City | $67,370 |
| 9 | Dothan | $67,034 |
| 10 | Prattville | $67,003 |
| 11 | Daphne | $66,955 |
| 12 | Northport | $66,854 |
| 13 | Madison | $66,753 |
| 14 | Alabaster | $66,339 |
| 15 | Florence | $66,238 |
| 16 | Gadsden | $66,238 |
| 17 | Enterprise | $66,233 |
| 18 | Homewood | $66,148 |
| 19 | Anniston | $65,874 |
| 20 | Vestavia Hills | $65,728 |
| 21 | Albertville | $65,580 |
| 22 | Auburn | $64,179 |
| 23 | Opelika | $63,905 |
| 24 | Pelham | $63,315 |
More Alabama Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore dietitian and nutritionist hourly pay in Alabama cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced dietitians and nutritionists.
Explore More Dietitian and Nutritionist Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do dietitians and nutritionists make in Alabama in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for dietitians and nutritionists in Alabama?
How does Alabama dietitian and nutritionist pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level dietitian and nutritionist salary in Alabama?
How many dietitians and nutritionists are employed in Alabama?
Which Alabama city offers the best value for dietitians and nutritionists?
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
Statewide 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. A 3.90% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 dietitian and nutritionist compensation across Alabama. State averages are employment-weighted across 24 metro areas — larger metro areas with more dietitians and nutritionistscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-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