Dietitian and Nutritionist Salary in Des Moines, IA: $68,387 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dietitian and nutritionist in Des Moines, IA earns a median $68,387/year (≈ $32.87/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1031). Once you factor in Des Moines's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.7), that paycheck buys what $74,576 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 10.7% below the Iowa state average.
Official BLS data · View source
With the anticipated changes in 2024, where a master's degree will be necessary for credentialing as a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN) through the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR), the job market in Des Moines, IA, reflects a notable shift in compensation for dietitians and nutritionists. As of 2026, the median annual salary is projected at $68,387, placing it below the national median of $79,380 and indicating a discrepancy in pay levels. The salary range for these professionals spans from $38,942 at the 10th percentile to $95,359 at the 90th percentile. As highlighted by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS data, this information illustrates both the earning potential and the increasing competition in a market adapting to educational advancements and evolving healthcare models, particularly with the growing prominence of cash-pay private practices that do not rely on insurance reimbursement.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38,942 | $18.72 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $46,942 | $22.57 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $68,387 | $32.87 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $82,226 | $39.53 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $95,359 | $45.84 |
Median Salary Position
13.85% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Des Moines
In Des Moines, IA, the dietitian and nutritionist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $56,417 (2026 est.). At $68,387, the local median is 13.85% below the national median of $79,380.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Des Moines: You'd be above the median
How Des Moines Dietitian and Nutritionist Pay Compares
Des Moines median: $68,387/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Des Moines Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $76,581 | -10.70% less |
| National Average | $79,380 | -13.85% less |
Dietitian and Nutritionists in Des Moines, IA earn a median of $68,387 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.85% lower than the national median of $79,380 and 10.70% below the Iowa state average of $76,581.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Des Moines has a cost of living 8.30% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Des Moines, IA has a cost-of-living index of 91.701 (below the national average of 100). A dietitian and nutritionist earning $68,387 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $74,576 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.05% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$61,230
2025 BLS Actual
$65,820
2026 Current Est.
$68,387
2019–2027 Growth
+16.0%
Salary Trajectory for Dietitians and Nutritionists in Des Moines (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.90% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $61,230 | Actual |
| 2020 | $62,030 | Actual |
| 2021 | $60,850 | Actual |
| 2022 | $62,180 | Actual |
| 2023 | $67,580 | Actual |
| 2024 | $73,410 | Actual |
| 2025 | $65,820 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $68,387 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $71,054 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Des Moines metropolitan area, the median dietitian and nutritionist salary grew 7.5% from $61,230 (2019) to $65,820 (2025). At a 3.90% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $71,054 by 2027 — a total increase of $9,824 (16.04%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Des Moines 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) | $38,942 – $46,942 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $46,942 – $68,387 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $68,387 – $82,226 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $82,226 – $95,359 |
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 Moines
A sturdy local workforce of 210 dietitians and nutritionists is an encouraging sign of demand in the Des Moines job market, even as the cost of living index is notably below the national average at 91.701. This lower cost may allow for a better quality of life, despite salaries not reaching national benchmarks. Employers that tend to offer the highest dietitian and nutritionist pay in Des Moines include hospital clinical nutrition departments, long-term care facilities, and specialized outpatient clinics such as those focused on diabetes and cardiology. The wage variations can be influenced by specialization in areas like renal or oncology nutrition, cash-pay opportunities in private practice, and roles within corporate wellness programs. To maximize income, aspiring dietitians should consider obtaining board specialty certifications, which may enhance their marketability and bargaining power for higher salaries in an evolving landscape where advanced degrees are becoming the norm.
More salary data for Des Moines, IA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do dietitians and nutritionists make in Des Moines, IA in 2026?
Is Des Moines, IA a good place to work as a dietitian and nutritionist?
Can dietitians and nutritionists make $100K in Des Moines?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted dietitian and nutritionist salary in Des Moines?
How much does a dietitian and nutritionist make per hour in Des Moines?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
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 $65,820 for dietitians and nutritionistsin the Des Moines 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