Dietitian and Nutritionist Salary in Fort Collins, CO: $77,437 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dietitian and nutritionist in Fort Collins, CO earns a median $77,437/year (≈ $37.23/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1031). Once you factor in Fort Collins's price level (1% above national, BEA RPP 101.1), that paycheck buys what $76,573 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.8% below the Colorado state average.
Official BLS data · View source
For dietitians and nutritionists in Fort Collins, CO, the 2026 median annual salary is projected at $77,437, a figure slightly below the national median of $79,380. This salary range reflects the profession's diversity, with earnings spanning from $64,470 at the 10th percentile up to $103,942 at the 90th percentile. The data, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys projected to 2026, illustrates the cash-pay structure prevalent in private practice versus the more traditional W-2 positions in hospitals and healthcare facilities. As Fort Collins continues to develop its healthcare offerings alongside a growing emphasis on individualized nutrition, the job market presents unique opportunities for registered dietitian nutritionists (RDNs) to thrive in various settings.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $64,470 | $30.99 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $67,078 | $32.25 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $77,437 | $37.23 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $87,255 | $41.95 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $103,942 | $49.98 |
Median Salary Position
2.45% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Fort Collins
In Fort Collins, CO, the dietitian and nutritionist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $39,472 (2026 est.). At $77,437, the local median is 2.45% below the national median of $79,380.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Fort Collins: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Fort Collins Dietitian and Nutritionist Pay Compares
Fort Collins median: $77,437/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Fort Collins Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Colorado Average | $78,856 | -1.80% less |
| National Average | $79,380 | -2.45% less |
Dietitian and Nutritionists in Fort Collins, CO earn a median of $77,437 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.45% lower than the national median of $79,380 and 1.80% below the Colorado state average of $78,856.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Fort Collins has a cost of living 1.13% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Fort Collins, CO has a cost-of-living index of 101.128 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $77,437 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $76,573 — a 1.12% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$62,340
2025 BLS Actual
$74,530
2026 Current Est.
$77,437
2019–2027 Growth
+29.1%
Salary Trajectory for Dietitians and Nutritionists in Fort Collins (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.90% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $62,340 | Actual |
| 2020 | $50,570 | Actual |
| 2021 | $61,530 | Actual |
| 2022 | $63,140 | Actual |
| 2023 | $68,560 | Actual |
| 2024 | $74,550 | Actual |
| 2025 | $74,530 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $77,437 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $80,457 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Fort Collins metropolitan area, the median dietitian and nutritionist salary grew 19.6% from $62,340 (2019) to $74,530 (2025). At a 3.90% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $80,457 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,117 (29.06%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Fort Collins 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) | $64,470 – $67,078 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $67,078 – $77,437 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $77,437 – $87,255 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $87,255 – $103,942 |
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 Fort Collins
Fort Collins' job market for dietitians and nutritionists is buoyed by a steady demand for nutritional expertise, with a projected 3.90% annual growth rate over the next five years. While the cost of living index is slightly above the national average at 101.128, this can influence take-home purchasing power for those in the field. Among local employers, hospital clinical nutrition departments and corporate wellness programs tend to offer higher compensation compared to school district food service programs or public health clinics. High pay often correlates with specialized competencies, such as oncology or diabetes care, particularly for those working in cash-pay private practices. To maximize earning potential in Fort Collins, RDNs may consider pursuing additional certifications or specializing in high-demand areas. Establishing a strong client base in private practice or consulting for sports teams can also lead to lucrative opportunities in the evolving market.
More salary data for Fort Collins, 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 $74,530 for dietitians and nutritionistsin the Fort Collins 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