Dietitian and Nutritionist Salary in Decatur, IL: $66,902 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dietitian and nutritionist in Decatur, IL earns a median $66,902/year (≈ $32.17/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1031). Once you factor in Decatur's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $68,900 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.4% above the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Decatur, Illinois, the projected median annual salary for dietitians and nutritionists in 2026 stands at $66,902. This figure reflects a localized cost of living adjustment, placing the city's salary approximately 15.72% lower than the national median of $79,380. The salary for these professionals in Decatur ranges from $43,077 at the 10th percentile to $88,990 at the 90th percentile, indicating a diverse market influenced by specialization and practice setting. The recent transition to a master's degree requirement for the Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) credential as of 2024 has altered entry-level expectations and may impact starting salaries for new graduates entering the field in Decatur.
About the Decatur Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($68,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $43,077 | $20.71 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $54,856 | $26.37 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $66,902 | $32.17 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $77,582 | $37.30 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $88,990 | $42.79 |
Median Salary Position
15.72% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Decatur
In Decatur, IL, the dietitian and nutritionist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $45,913 (2026 est.). At $66,902, the local median is 15.72% below the national median of $79,380.
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At 40 hours/week in Decatur: You'd be above the median
How Decatur Dietitian and Nutritionist Pay Compares
Decatur median: $66,902/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Decatur Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $65,979 | +1.40% more |
| National Average | $79,380 | -15.72% less |
Dietitian and Nutritionists in Decatur, IL earn a median of $66,902 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.72% lower than the national median of $79,380 and 1.40% above the Illinois state average of $65,979.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Decatur has a cost of living 2.90% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Decatur, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A dietitian and nutritionist earning $66,902 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $68,900 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$47,750
2025 BLS Actual
$64,391
2026 Current Est.
$66,902
2019–2027 Growth
+45.6%
Salary Trajectory for Dietitians and Nutritionists in Decatur (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.90% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $47,750 | Actual |
| 2020 | $53,173 | Actual |
| 2021 | $51,959 | Actual |
| 2022 | $56,005 | Actual |
| 2023 | $58,727 | Actual |
| 2024 | $66,950 | Actual |
| 2025 | $64,391 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $66,902 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $69,511 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Decatur metropolitan area, the median dietitian and nutritionist salary grew 34.9% from $47,750 (2019) to $64,391 (2025). At a 3.90% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $69,511 by 2027 — a total increase of $21,761 (45.57%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Decatur 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) | $43,077 – $54,856 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $54,856 – $66,902 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $66,902 – $77,582 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $77,582 – $88,990 |
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 Decatur
The job market for dietitians and nutritionists in Decatur is relatively small, with only 13 professionals currently employed in the area. The local cost of living index is at 97.1, suggesting that while salaries may be lower than the national average, purchasing power remains viable for residents. Among various employment settings, clinical roles within hospital nutrition departments tend to offer higher salaries compared to positions in outpatient clinics or public health WIC programs. Specialization plays a significant role in salary disparities, with dietitians focusing on areas like renal or oncology seen as more valuable than those practicing general clinical nutrition. For those looking to enhance their earnings, developing skills in cash-pay private practice, engaging in specialized consulting for sports teams, or obtaining board certifications can be effective strategies to maximize pay in the Decatur market.
More salary data for Decatur, IL:
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 $64,391 for dietitians and nutritionistsin the Decatur 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 Decatur 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