Dietitian and Nutritionist Salary in Waterloo, IA: $76,896 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dietitian and nutritionist in Waterloo, IA earns a median $76,896/year (≈ $36.97/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1031). Once you factor in Waterloo's price level (13% below national, BEA RPP 87.1), that paycheck buys what $88,328 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.4% above the Iowa state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the salary for dietitians and nutritionists in Waterloo, Iowa, is projected to reach a median of $76,896, which is slightly below the national average of $79,380 for the same year. The salary for this profession in the area ranges from $63,566 at the 10th percentile to $102,217 at the 90th percentile, highlighting a significant disparity in earnings depending on various factors such as specialization and employer type. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys and projected to 2026, reflect the ongoing effects of the master's-degree requirement instituted in 2024, which aims to elevate the profession's educational standards. As a result, Waterloo’s job market is likely becoming more competitive, presenting unique opportunities for both aspiring and established dietitians and nutritionists.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $63,566 | $30.57 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $68,719 | $33.04 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $76,896 | $36.97 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $82,746 | $39.78 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $102,217 | $49.14 |
Median Salary Position
3.13% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Waterloo
In Waterloo, IA, the dietitian and nutritionist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $38,651 (2026 est.). At $76,896, the local median is 3.13% below the national median of $79,380.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Waterloo: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Waterloo Dietitian and Nutritionist Pay Compares
Waterloo median: $76,896/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Waterloo Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $76,590 | +0.40% more |
| National Average | $79,380 | -3.13% less |
Dietitian and Nutritionists in Waterloo, IA earn a median of $76,896 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.13% lower than the national median of $79,380 and 0.40% above the Iowa state average of $76,590.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Waterloo has a cost of living 12.94% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Waterloo, IA has a cost-of-living index of 87.057 (below the national average of 100). A dietitian and nutritionist earning $76,896 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $88,328 in an average-cost city — an effective 14.87% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$55,970
2025 BLS Actual
$74,010
2026 Current Est.
$76,896
2019–2027 Growth
+42.7%
Salary Trajectory for Dietitians and Nutritionists in Waterloo (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.90% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $55,970 | Actual |
| 2020 | $62,780 | Actual |
| 2021 | $61,370 | Actual |
| 2022 | $61,000 | Actual |
| 2023 | $59,130 | Actual |
| 2024 | $56,308 | Actual |
| 2025 | $74,010 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $76,896 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $79,895 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Waterloo metropolitan area, the median dietitian and nutritionist salary grew 32.2% from $55,970 (2019) to $74,010 (2025). At a 3.90% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $79,895 by 2027 — a total increase of $23,925 (42.75%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Waterloo 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) | $63,566 – $68,719 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $68,719 – $76,896 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $76,896 – $82,746 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $82,746 – $102,217 |
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 Waterloo
With about 30 professionals employed in the area, the local job market for dietitians and nutritionists remains robust. The cost of living in Waterloo, with an index of 87.057, suggests that while salaries may lag slightly behind national averages, the relative affordability of the region can positively affect take-home pay and lifestyle choices. Local employers, including hospital clinical nutrition departments and long-term care facilities, often provide the highest compensation, driven by the demand for specialized skill sets in areas such as oncology or renal nutrition. The widening pay gap can be attributed to factors like board specialties, private practice earnings from cash-pay clients, and consulting work for sports teams. For dietitians and nutritionists in Waterloo, focusing on niche markets or developing a specialty can be an effective strategy for enhancing pay and career growth in this evolving field.
More salary data for Waterloo, IA:
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 $74,010 for dietitians and nutritionistsin the Waterloo 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