Dietitian and Nutritionist Salary in Meridian, ID: $75,931 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dietitian and nutritionist in Meridian, ID earns a median $75,931/year (≈ $36.51/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1031). Once you factor in Meridian's price level (5% below national, BEA RPP 95.3), that paycheck buys what $79,676 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.4% above the Idaho state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the expected salary for dietitians and nutritionists in Meridian, Idaho, is projected to reach an annual median of $75,931. This figure reflects an important shift in the profession, particularly with the master's-degree requirement implemented in 2024, driving entry-level compensation upward in the region. Salaries for this role in Meridian will range from $50,267 at the 10th percentile to as high as $106,056 at the 90th percentile, illustrating significant earning potential based on factors like experience, specialty, and type of employment. These local estimates, based on 2025 BLS state-level data and adjusted for regional price variations, suggest that the market for dietitian and nutritionist pay in Meridian is competitive, albeit slightly below the national median of $79,380 for the same year.
About the Meridian Market
Salary estimated from Idaho average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $50,267 | $24.17 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $63,414 | $30.48 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $75,931 | $36.51 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $87,809 | $42.21 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $106,056 | $50.98 |
Median Salary Position
4.34% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Meridian
In Meridian, ID, the dietitian and nutritionist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $55,789 (2026 est.). At $75,931, the local median is 4.34% below the national median of $79,380.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Meridian: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Meridian Dietitian and Nutritionist Pay Compares
Meridian median: $75,931/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Meridian Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Idaho Average | $75,629 | +0.40% more |
| National Average | $79,380 | -4.34% less |
Dietitian and Nutritionists in Meridian, ID earn a median of $75,931 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.34% lower than the national median of $79,380 and 0.40% above the Idaho state average of $75,629.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Meridian has a cost of living 4.70% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Meridian, ID has a cost-of-living index of 95.3 (below the national average of 100). A dietitian and nutritionist earning $75,931 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $79,676 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.93% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$58,608
2025 BLS Actual
$73,081
2026 Current Est.
$75,931
2019–2027 Growth
+34.6%
Salary Trajectory for Dietitians and Nutritionists in Meridian (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.90% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $58,608 | Actual |
| 2020 | $60,349 | Actual |
| 2021 | $58,972 | Actual |
| 2022 | $63,563 | Actual |
| 2023 | $66,653 | Actual |
| 2024 | $59,307 | Actual |
| 2025 | $73,081 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $75,931 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $78,892 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Meridian metropolitan area, the median dietitian and nutritionist salary grew 24.7% from $58,608 (2019) to $73,081 (2025). At a 3.90% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $78,892 by 2027 — a total increase of $20,284 (34.61%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Meridian 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) | $50,267 – $63,414 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $63,414 – $75,931 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $75,931 – $87,809 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $87,809 – $106,056 |
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 Meridian
Examining the job market, there are currently 30 dietitians and nutritionists working in Meridian, indicating a stable demand in the field. The cost of living index stands at 95.3, slightly below the national average, which enhances the purchasing power for professionals in this area. Employers such as hospital clinical nutrition departments, long-term care facilities, and outpatient programs tend to offer more competitive compensation. The disparity between lower and higher salaries is influenced by factors like specialization—those focusing on renal or oncology care often earn more compared to generalists—and the choice between working in public health versus corporate wellness settings. For those looking to maximize their earnings in Meridian, pursuing advanced specialties or transitioning into cash-pay private practice can present lucrative opportunities amidst the evolving landscape of dietetics. Understanding these dynamics significantly informs how much do dietitians and nutritionists make in Meridian, enabling informed career decisions in this thriving market.
More salary data for Meridian, ID:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can dietitians and nutritionists make $100K in Meridian?
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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 $73,081 for dietitians and nutritionistsin the Meridian 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 Meridian 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