Dietitian and Nutritionist Salary in Des Plaines, IL: $63,788 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dietitian and nutritionist in Des Plaines, IL earns a median $63,788/year (≈ $30.67/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1031). Once you factor in Des Plaines's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $65,693 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.3% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, a dietitian and nutritionist in Des Plaines, Illinois, is projected to earn a median annual salary of $63,788, which is 19.64% lower than the national median of $79,380. Salary ranges for this profession in the area span from $41,374 at the 10th percentile to $85,307 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the varying levels of expertise and specialization. These figures are derived from BLS state-level data and adjusted for the local cost of living, which has a relatively lower index of 97.1 compared to the national average. As the profession transitions to requiring a master's degree in 2024, the outlook for new entrants may evolve, influencing the competitive landscape and salary expectations for dietitian and nutritionist pay in Des Plaines, IL.
About the Des Plaines Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($68,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $41,374 | $19.89 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $51,085 | $24.56 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $63,788 | $30.67 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $74,099 | $35.63 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $85,307 | $41.01 |
Median Salary Position
19.64% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Des Plaines
In Des Plaines, IL, the dietitian and nutritionist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $43,933 (2026 est.). At $63,788, the local median is 19.64% below the national median of $79,380.
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How Des Plaines Dietitian and Nutritionist Pay Compares
Des Plaines median: $63,788/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Des Plaines Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $65,965 | -3.30% less |
| National Average | $79,380 | -19.64% less |
Dietitian and Nutritionists in Des Plaines, IL earn a median of $63,788 per year (2026 est.), which is 19.64% lower than the national median of $79,380 and 3.30% below the Illinois state average of $65,965.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Des Plaines 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.
Des Plaines, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A dietitian and nutritionist earning $63,788 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $65,693 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$49,236
2025 BLS Actual
$61,394
2026 Current Est.
$63,788
2019–2027 Growth
+34.6%
Salary Trajectory for Dietitians and Nutritionists in Des Plaines (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.90% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $49,236 | Actual |
| 2020 | $50,698 | Actual |
| 2021 | $49,541 | Actual |
| 2022 | $53,398 | Actual |
| 2023 | $55,994 | Actual |
| 2024 | $63,833 | Actual |
| 2025 | $61,394 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $63,788 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $66,276 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Des Plaines metropolitan area, the median dietitian and nutritionist salary grew 24.7% from $49,236 (2019) to $61,394 (2025). At a 3.90% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $66,276 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,040 (34.61%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Des Plaines 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) | $41,374 – $51,085 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $51,085 – $63,788 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $63,788 – $74,099 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $74,099 – $85,307 |
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 Des Plaines
With just 12 dietitians and nutritionists currently employed in Des Plaines, the local job market remains limited yet stable. The cost of living index suggests that while salaries may seem modest compared to national figures, Des Plaines offers a reasonably affordable backdrop for housing and daily expenses. Employers in the region, such as hospital clinical nutrition departments and outpatient clinics specializing in diabetes and cardiology, tend to pay at higher levels, while public health initiatives and schooling programs often offer lower compensation. Factors such as specialty areas, including renal or oncology nutrition, significantly impact earning potential. Professionals looking to maximize their income could consider cash-pay private practices or even corporate wellness consulting, both of which can provide lucrative opportunities outside traditional healthcare settings.
More salary data for Des Plaines, 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 $61,394 for dietitians and nutritionistsin the Des Plaines 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 Des Plaines 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