Dietitian and Nutritionist Salary in Indianapolis, IN: $69,883 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dietitian and nutritionist in Indianapolis, IN earns a median $69,883/year (≈ $33.60/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1031). Once you factor in Indianapolis's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 95.7), that paycheck buys what $73,026 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.0% above the Indiana state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Indianapolis, dietitians and nutritionists earn a median annual salary of $69,883, slightly below the national median of $79,380. The compensation for these professionals within the city shows a range from $44,729 at the 10th percentile to $86,715 at the 90th percentile, according to estimates based on 2025 BLS data projected to 2026. This salary structure not only reflects the expertise required in this field but also indicates the increasing demand for specialized services, such as those offered by board-certified practitioners. With a projected 3.90% annual growth in job opportunities, those looking for employment in Indianapolis will find a robust market for dietitian and nutritionist roles.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $44,729 | $21.51 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $60,480 | $29.08 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $69,883 | $33.60 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $81,084 | $38.98 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $86,715 | $41.70 |
Median Salary Position
11.96% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Indianapolis
In Indianapolis, IN, the dietitian and nutritionist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $41,986 (2026 est.). At $69,883, the local median is 11.96% below the national median of $79,380.
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At 40 hours/week in Indianapolis: You'd be above the median
How Indianapolis Dietitian and Nutritionist Pay Compares
Indianapolis median: $69,883/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Indianapolis Pays |
|---|---|---|
| National Average | $79,380 | -11.96% less |
Dietitian and Nutritionists in Indianapolis, IN earn a median of $69,883 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.96% lower than the national median of $79,380.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Indianapolis has a cost of living 4.30% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Indianapolis, IN has a cost-of-living index of 95.696 (below the national average of 100). A dietitian and nutritionist earning $69,883 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $73,026 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.5% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$59,040
2025 BLS Actual
$67,260
2026 Current Est.
$69,883
2019–2027 Growth
+23.0%
Salary Trajectory for Dietitians and Nutritionists in Indianapolis (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.90% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $59,040 | Actual |
| 2020 | $59,600 | Actual |
| 2021 | $60,850 | Actual |
| 2022 | $64,730 | Actual |
| 2023 | $60,470 | Actual |
| 2024 | $63,540 | Actual |
| 2025 | $67,260 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $69,883 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $72,609 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Indianapolis metropolitan area, the median dietitian and nutritionist salary grew 13.9% from $59,040 (2019) to $67,260 (2025). At a 3.90% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $72,609 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,569 (22.98%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Indianapolis 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) | $44,729 – $60,480 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $60,480 – $69,883 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $69,883 – $81,084 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $81,084 – $86,715 |
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 Indianapolis
Looking deeper into the local job dynamics, approximately 670 dietitians and nutritionists are currently employed in Indianapolis, reflecting a steady demand against a backdrop of a cost-of-living index of 95.696, which is below the national average. Employers in the area that tend to offer the highest salaries include hospital clinical nutrition departments and outpatient clinics that specialize in diabetes, cardiology, and oncology. Factors influencing the variance in pay between the lowest and highest earners include specialized certifications, ownership of cash-pay practices, and the choice between public health and corporate wellness environments. For those seeking to maximize their pay in Indianapolis, obtaining advanced credentials, such as those from the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics or pursuing a career in cash-pay private practice, can be advantageous in a competitive job market that values extensive clinical experience and specialty training.
More salary data for Indianapolis, IN:
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 $67,260 for dietitians and nutritionistsin the Indianapolis 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