Dietitian and Nutritionist Salary in Fairbanks, AK: $83,535 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dietitian and nutritionist in Fairbanks, AK earns a median $83,535/year (≈ $40.16/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1031). Once you factor in Fairbanks's price level (6% above national, BEA RPP 106.1), that paycheck buys what $78,732 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.8% below the Alaska state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, dietitians and nutritionists in Fairbanks, Alaska, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $83,535, representing a 5.23% increase over the national average of $79,380. The salary range in this field spans from $55,307 at the 10th percentile to $110,671 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the diverse roles and settings within this profession. These figures arise from local estimates based on BLS state-level data and adjustments to account for regional price variations. As professionals consider their career paths in Fairbanks, they face a fundamental choice between cash-pay private practice and employment with hospitals or other healthcare institutions, which can significantly impact their overall compensation.
About the Fairbanks Market
Salary estimated from Alaska average ($78,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $55,307 | $26.59 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $69,374 | $33.35 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $83,535 | $40.16 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $96,976 | $46.62 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $110,671 | $53.21 |
Median Salary Position
5.23% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Fairbanks
In Fairbanks, AK, the dietitian and nutritionist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $55,364 (2026 est.). At $83,535, the local median is 5.23% above the national median of $79,380.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Fairbanks: You'd be above the median
How Fairbanks Dietitian and Nutritionist Pay Compares
Fairbanks median: $83,535/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Fairbanks Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Alaska Average | $84,208 | -0.80% less |
| National Average | $79,380 | +5.23% more |
Dietitian and Nutritionists in Fairbanks, AK earn a median of $83,535 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.23% higher than the national median of $79,380 and 0.80% below the Alaska state average of $84,208.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Fairbanks has a cost of living 6.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Fairbanks, AK has a cost-of-living index of 106.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $83,535 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $78,732 — a 5.75% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$64,477
2025 BLS Actual
$80,399
2026 Current Est.
$83,535
2019–2027 Growth
+34.6%
Salary Trajectory for Dietitians and Nutritionists in Fairbanks (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.90% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $64,477 | Actual |
| 2020 | $66,392 | Actual |
| 2021 | $64,877 | Actual |
| 2022 | $69,928 | Actual |
| 2023 | $73,327 | Actual |
| 2024 | $82,083 | Actual |
| 2025 | $80,399 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $83,535 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $86,792 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Fairbanks metropolitan area, the median dietitian and nutritionist salary grew 24.7% from $64,477 (2019) to $80,399 (2025). At a 3.90% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $86,792 by 2027 — a total increase of $22,315 (34.61%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Fairbanks 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $55,307 – $69,374 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $69,374 – $83,535 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $83,535 – $96,976 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $96,976 – $110,671 |
DN salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dietitian and nutritionist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dietitian and Nutritionist Job Market in Fairbanks
In Fairbanks, only five dietitians and nutritionists are currently employed, indicating a relatively small but focused job market for this profession. With a cost-of-living index of 106.1, the local economy is slightly more expensive than the national average, which can affect the take-home purchasing power of salaries in this area. Employers that tend to offer higher wages include hospital clinical nutrition departments and outpatient clinics specializing in diabetes and cardiology. The disparity in pay can largely be attributed to areas of specialization, such as renal care or oncology, and the choice between working in public health versus corporate wellness settings. To maximize pay in Fairbanks, building a robust client base through cash-pay private practice and pursuing board specialties can be effective strategies, especially with the ongoing transition to a master’s degree requirement for the RDN credential by 2024.
More salary data for Fairbanks, AK:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Related Pages
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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
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 BLS reported a median annual salary of $80,399 for dietitians and nutritionistsin the Fairbanks metropolitan area. A 3.90% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Fairbanks 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