Dietitian and Nutritionist Salary in Lafayette, IN: $63,556 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dietitian and nutritionist in Lafayette, IN earns a median $63,556/year (≈ $30.56/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1031). Once you factor in Lafayette's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.4), that paycheck buys what $68,025 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 9.1% below the Indiana state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Lafayette, Indiana, the projected median annual salary for dietitians and nutritionists in 2026 is $63,556. This figure reveals a notable 19.93% difference when compared to the national median of $79,380. The local salary range spans from $42,983 at the 10th percentile to $79,390 at the 90th percentile, reflecting diverse earning potential influenced by experience and specialization. The data used for these estimates stems from the 2025 BLS Occupational Employment and Wages Statistics (OEWS) surveys, highlighting the competitive landscape for professionals in this field. Given Lafayette's developing healthcare sector, job opportunities are shaping up, especially for those with advanced credentials or specialty training.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $42,983 | $20.67 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $46,963 | $22.58 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $63,556 | $30.56 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $74,382 | $35.76 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $79,390 | $38.17 |
Median Salary Position
19.93% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lafayette
In Lafayette, IN, the dietitian and nutritionist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $36,407 (2026 est.). At $63,556, the local median is 19.93% below the national median of $79,380.
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At 40 hours/week in Lafayette: You'd be above the median
How Lafayette Dietitian and Nutritionist Pay Compares
Lafayette median: $63,556/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lafayette Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Indiana Average | $69,918 | -9.10% less |
| National Average | $79,380 | -19.93% less |
Dietitian and Nutritionists in Lafayette, IN earn a median of $63,556 per year (2026 est.), which is 19.93% lower than the national median of $79,380 and 9.10% below the Indiana state average of $69,918.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lafayette has a cost of living 6.57% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Lafayette, IN has a cost-of-living index of 93.43 (below the national average of 100). A dietitian and nutritionist earning $63,556 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $68,025 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.03% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$52,890
2025 BLS Actual
$61,170
2026 Current Est.
$63,556
2019–2027 Growth
+24.9%
Salary Trajectory for Dietitians and Nutritionists in Lafayette (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.90% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $52,890 | Actual |
| 2020 | $55,990 | Actual |
| 2021 | $59,320 | Actual |
| 2022 | $63,580 | Actual |
| 2023 | $60,180 | Actual |
| 2024 | $64,170 | Actual |
| 2025 | $61,170 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $63,556 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $66,034 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lafayette metropolitan area, the median dietitian and nutritionist salary grew 15.7% from $52,890 (2019) to $61,170 (2025). At a 3.90% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $66,034 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,144 (24.85%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lafayette 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) | $42,983 – $46,963 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $46,963 – $63,556 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $63,556 – $74,382 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $74,382 – $79,390 |
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 Lafayette
The local dietitian and nutritionist job market comprises around 70 employed professionals in Lafayette, indicating a compact yet promising community. With a cost-of-living index at 93.43, living expenses in the area are below the national average, potentially enhancing the purchasing power for those in this career. Among various employment settings, hospital clinical nutrition departments and outpatient diabetes clinics are known to offer higher compensation. The gap between lower and higher pay scales often reflects differences in specialization, such as board certifications, private practice ownership potential, and the choice between public health roles and corporate wellness initiatives. For those looking to maximize their pay in Lafayette, pursuing specialty credentials from the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND) or the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR), along with exploring cash-pay practice options, can significantly bolster earning potential in this evolving market.
More salary data for Lafayette, 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 $61,170 for dietitians and nutritionistsin the Lafayette 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