Dietitian and Nutritionist Salary in Waukegan, IL: $66,077 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dietitian and nutritionist in Waukegan, IL earns a median $66,077/year (≈ $31.77/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1031). Once you factor in Waukegan's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $68,050 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.1% above the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the salary for dietitians and nutritionists in Waukegan, Illinois, is projected to reach a median annual figure of $66,077, which reflects a notable 16.76% decrease compared to the national median of $79,380. Employment for this profession is not extensive, with approximately 18 registered dietitians and nutritionists working in the Waukegan area. The salary range is quite varied, from $41,277 at the P10 level to $92,999 at the P90, indicating the potential for significant earnings based on experience and specialization. Local estimates, informed by 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost realities, suggest that factors like clinical skill level and specialty board certifications can further influence overall compensation. As Waukegan navigates a competitive job market, prospects for career advancement in this field remain encouraging.
About the Waukegan Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($68,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $41,277 | $19.84 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $53,177 | $25.57 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $66,077 | $31.77 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $77,018 | $37.03 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $92,999 | $44.71 |
Median Salary Position
16.76% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Waukegan
In Waukegan, IL, the dietitian and nutritionist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $51,722 (2026 est.). At $66,077, the local median is 16.76% below the national median of $79,380.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Waukegan: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Waukegan Dietitian and Nutritionist Pay Compares
Waukegan median: $66,077/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Waukegan Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $66,011 | +0.10% more |
| National Average | $79,380 | -16.76% less |
Dietitian and Nutritionists in Waukegan, IL earn a median of $66,077 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.76% lower than the national median of $79,380 and 0.10% above the Illinois state average of $66,011.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Waukegan 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.
Waukegan, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A dietitian and nutritionist earning $66,077 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $68,050 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$51,002
2025 BLS Actual
$63,597
2026 Current Est.
$66,077
2019–2027 Growth
+34.6%
Salary Trajectory for Dietitians and Nutritionists in Waukegan (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.90% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $51,002 | Actual |
| 2020 | $52,517 | Actual |
| 2021 | $51,319 | Actual |
| 2022 | $55,314 | Actual |
| 2023 | $58,003 | Actual |
| 2024 | $66,123 | Actual |
| 2025 | $63,597 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $66,077 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $68,654 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Waukegan metropolitan area, the median dietitian and nutritionist salary grew 24.7% from $51,002 (2019) to $63,597 (2025). At a 3.90% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $68,654 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,652 (34.61%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Waukegan 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) | $41,277 – $53,177 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $53,177 – $66,077 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $66,077 – $77,018 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $77,018 – $92,999 |
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 Waukegan
Analyzing the local job market indicates that the relatively modest cost-of-living index of 97.1 offers some favorable purchasing power for dietitians and nutritionists in Waukegan. Despite a smaller employment pool, opportunities exist across various settings, with the highest pay often found in hospital clinical nutrition departments or specialized clinics focusing on diabetes, cardiology, and oncology. The differences between the lowest and highest earners can be attributed to factors such as obtaining board certification in specialized areas like renal nutrition or oncology and the potential for income from cash-pay private practice or consulting roles. For those looking to maximize their pay, strategic choices around specialty certification, location of employment, and potential participation in corporate wellness programs can yield significant dividends in this market.
More salary data for Waukegan, 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 $63,597 for dietitians and nutritionistsin the Waukegan 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 Waukegan 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