Dietitian and Nutritionist Salary in Brighton, CO: $75,189 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dietitian and nutritionist in Brighton, CO earns a median $75,189/year (≈ $36.15/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1031). Once you factor in Brighton's price level (5% above national, BEA RPP 105.0), that paycheck buys what $71,609 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.7% below the Colorado state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, Brighton, CO, projects a median annual salary of $75,189 for dietitians and nutritionists, reflecting a competitive local market context. Salary ranges from the 10th percentile at $51,042 to the 90th percentile at $101,097, suggesting the potential for variability based on experience, specialization, and work setting. These estimates are derived from state-level data and regional cost of living adjustments. Compared to the national median of $79,380, the dietitian and nutritionist pay in Brighton is about 5.28% lower, signaling that practitioners may need to consider job type—cash-pay private practice or hospital employment—as a critical factor influencing their earning potential. The local job market, while smaller in terms of total employment, can still offer distinctive opportunities for growth and specialization.
About the Brighton Market
Salary estimated from Colorado average ($72,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $51,042 | $24.54 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $63,374 | $30.46 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $75,189 | $36.15 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $88,191 | $42.40 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $101,097 | $48.60 |
Median Salary Position
5.28% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Brighton
In Brighton, CO, the dietitian and nutritionist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $50,055 (2026 est.). At $75,189, the local median is 5.28% below the national median of $79,380.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Brighton: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Brighton Dietitian and Nutritionist Pay Compares
Brighton median: $75,189/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Brighton Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Colorado Average | $78,897 | -4.70% less |
| National Average | $79,380 | -5.28% less |
Dietitian and Nutritionists in Brighton, CO earn a median of $75,189 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.28% lower than the national median of $79,380 and 4.70% below the Colorado state average of $78,897.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Brighton has a cost of living 5.00% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Brighton, CO has a cost-of-living index of 105 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $75,189 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $71,609 — a 4.76% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$58,036
2025 BLS Actual
$72,367
2026 Current Est.
$75,189
2019–2027 Growth
+34.6%
Salary Trajectory for Dietitians and Nutritionists in Brighton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.90% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $58,036 | Actual |
| 2020 | $59,760 | Actual |
| 2021 | $58,396 | Actual |
| 2022 | $62,942 | Actual |
| 2023 | $66,002 | Actual |
| 2024 | $72,062 | Actual |
| 2025 | $72,367 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $75,189 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $78,122 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Brighton metropolitan area, the median dietitian and nutritionist salary grew 24.7% from $58,036 (2019) to $72,367 (2025). At a 3.90% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $78,122 by 2027 — a total increase of $20,086 (34.61%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Brighton 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) | $51,042 – $63,374 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $63,374 – $75,189 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $75,189 – $88,191 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $88,191 – $101,097 |
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 Brighton
Brighton’s current employment landscape includes only seven registered dietitians and nutritionists, indicating a tight-knit community with potential for future growth in this field. With a cost of living index at 105, professionals must navigate their salaries carefully to maintain optimal purchasing power. Among the various employers, hospital clinical nutrition departments typically offer competitive compensation, especially for those with specialized skills in areas such as oncology or sports nutrition. The disparity in salary is often driven by factors like specific certifications, such as CDCES, and the choice between public health roles versus private practice. Strategies to maximize pay in the Brighton market may involve pursuing board specialty credentials, tapping into cash-pay private practices, or securing consulting contracts with local sports teams. Each pathway offers its own opportunities for both financial gain and professional fulfillment.
More salary data for Brighton, CO:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do dietitians and nutritionists make in Brighton, CO in 2026?
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Can dietitians and nutritionists make $100K in Brighton?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted dietitian and nutritionist salary in Brighton?
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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 $72,367 for dietitians and nutritionistsin the Brighton 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 Brighton 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