Dietitian and Nutritionist Salary in Gardner, KS: $66,913 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dietitian and nutritionist in Gardner, KS earns a median $66,913/year (≈ $32.17/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1031). Once you factor in Gardner's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 90.9), that paycheck buys what $73,612 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.3% below the Kansas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Gardner, KS, presents a competitive landscape for dietitians and nutritionists, with a projected median annual salary of $66,913 in 2026. This figure is approximately 15.71% below the national median of $79,380, thereby reflecting local economic conditions and the recent requirement for a master's degree to qualify for registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN) credentials as of 2024. The salary range for these professionals in Gardner varies significantly, with entry-level positions starting around $47,310 and experienced roles reaching as high as $87,669. These local estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data and regional price parity adjustments, indicate that while opportunities exist, the job market is nuanced, particularly given the implications of credentialing changes on compensation.
About the Gardner Market
Salary estimated from Kansas average ($60,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $47,310 | $22.74 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $57,608 | $27.70 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $66,913 | $32.17 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $77,559 | $37.29 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $87,669 | $42.15 |
Median Salary Position
15.71% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Gardner
In Gardner, KS, the dietitian and nutritionist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $40,359 (2026 est.). At $66,913, the local median is 15.71% below the national median of $79,380.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Gardner: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Gardner Dietitian and Nutritionist Pay Compares
Gardner median: $66,913/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Gardner Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Kansas Average | $72,182 | -7.30% less |
| National Average | $79,380 | -15.71% less |
Dietitian and Nutritionists in Gardner, KS earn a median of $66,913 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.71% lower than the national median of $79,380 and 7.30% below the Kansas state average of $72,182.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Gardner has a cost of living 9.10% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Gardner, KS has a cost-of-living index of 90.9 (below the national average of 100). A dietitian and nutritionist earning $66,913 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $73,612 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.01% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$51,647
2025 BLS Actual
$64,401
2026 Current Est.
$66,913
2019–2027 Growth
+34.6%
Salary Trajectory for Dietitians and Nutritionists in Gardner (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.90% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $51,647 | Actual |
| 2020 | $53,181 | Actual |
| 2021 | $51,968 | Actual |
| 2022 | $56,014 | Actual |
| 2023 | $58,736 | Actual |
| 2024 | $50,577 | Actual |
| 2025 | $64,401 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $66,913 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $69,522 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Gardner metropolitan area, the median dietitian and nutritionist salary grew 24.7% from $51,647 (2019) to $64,401 (2025). At a 3.90% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $69,522 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,875 (34.61%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Gardner 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) | $47,310 – $57,608 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $57,608 – $66,913 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $66,913 – $77,559 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $77,559 – $87,669 |
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 Gardner
In Gardner, there are currently six employed dietitians and nutritionists, contributing to a specialized, though limited, job market. The cost of living in the area, with a CoL index at 90.9, suggests that professionals may find their purchasing power to be relatively strong despite the lower salaries when compared to national averages. Among local employers, clinical nutrition departments in hospitals typically offer the highest salaries, followed by positions in outpatient clinics and skilled nursing facilities. The variance in pay often correlates with specialization, as those working in niche areas such as oncology or sports nutrition can command higher salaries than general practitioners. To maximize earning potential in this market, professionals should consider pursuing additional certifications or entering cash-pay private practices, which have shown growth and flexibility outside traditional insurance models. Additionally, leveraging the demand for specialized services in public health or corporate wellness can lead to enhanced job satisfaction and financial rewards.
More salary data for Gardner, KS:
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 $64,401 for dietitians and nutritionistsin the Gardner 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 Gardner 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