Dietitian and Nutritionist Salary in Boulder, CO: $77,852 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dietitian and nutritionist in Boulder, CO earns a median $77,852/year (≈ $37.42/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1031). Once you factor in Boulder's price level (5% above national, BEA RPP 105.2), that paycheck buys what $74,002 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.3% below the Colorado state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Boulder, Colorado, the average annual compensation for dietitians and nutritionists is projected to be $77,852 in 2026, which is slightly lower than the national median of $79,380. The projected salary range for this occupation in Boulder reflects a broad spectrum, highlighted by the P10 earning $40,937 and the P90 making as much as $106,362. This data comes from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, projected to 2026, emphasizing the evolving job market landscape in this area. As dietitians and nutritionists increasingly choose cash-pay private practices over traditional hospital roles, the variability in salaries here indicates diverse opportunities and potential pay gaps based on specialty and employment setting within Boulder's health and wellness industry.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $40,937 | $19.68 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $67,254 | $32.33 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $77,852 | $37.42 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $95,069 | $45.71 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $106,362 | $51.13 |
Median Salary Position
1.92% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Boulder
In Boulder, CO, the dietitian and nutritionist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $65,425 (2026 est.). At $77,852, the local median is 1.92% below the national median of $79,380.
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At 40 hours/week in Boulder: You'd be above the median
How Boulder Dietitian and Nutritionist Pay Compares
Boulder median: $77,852/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Boulder Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Colorado Average | $78,878 | -1.30% less |
| National Average | $79,380 | -1.92% less |
Dietitian and Nutritionists in Boulder, CO earn a median of $77,852 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.92% lower than the national median of $79,380 and 1.30% below the Colorado state average of $78,878.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Boulder has a cost of living 5.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Boulder, CO has a cost-of-living index of 105.202 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $77,852 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $74,002 — a 4.95% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$50,560
2025 BLS Actual
$74,930
2026 Current Est.
$77,852
2019–2027 Growth
+60.0%
Salary Trajectory for Dietitians and Nutritionists in Boulder (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.90% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $50,560 | Actual |
| 2020 | $50,340 | Actual |
| 2021 | $61,650 | Actual |
| 2022 | $69,550 | Actual |
| 2023 | $64,130 | Actual |
| 2024 | $64,510 | Actual |
| 2025 | $74,930 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $77,852 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $80,889 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Boulder metropolitan area, the median dietitian and nutritionist salary grew 48.2% from $50,560 (2019) to $74,930 (2025). At a 3.90% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $80,889 by 2027 — a total increase of $30,329 (59.99%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Boulder 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) | $40,937 – $67,254 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $67,254 – $77,852 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $77,852 – $95,069 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $95,069 – $106,362 |
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 Boulder
The local job market for dietitians and nutritionists includes around 80 professionals engaged in various roles across health facilities and private practices. With a cost-of-living index of 105.202, the expenses in Boulder can impact real take-home pay, making it essential for dietitians and nutritionists to assess their worth in available positions. Employers pay the highest salaries in hospital clinical nutrition departments and specialized outpatient clinics focusing on diabetes or oncology, while board certifications and specialties more often lead to higher compensation. Variations in income can arise from factors such as ownership of cash-pay practices or experience in specific clinical areas that command premiums. To maximize earnings in this attractive market, seeking additional certifications and diversifying services, particularly in want-based health trends like sports nutrition, can significantly boost financial outcomes for those in Boulder.
More salary data for Boulder, CO:
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
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 $74,930 for dietitians and nutritionistsin the Boulder 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
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