Dietitian and Nutritionist Salary in Topeka, KS: $74,361 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dietitian and nutritionist in Topeka, KS earns a median $74,361/year (≈ $35.75/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1031). Once you factor in Topeka's price level (11% below national, BEA RPP 88.8), that paycheck buys what $83,721 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.1% above the Kansas state average.
Official BLS data · View source
The projected salary for dietitians and nutritionists in Topeka, Kansas, is estimated to reach $74,361 in 2026, positioning it slightly below the national median of $79,380. The salary range in this region spans from $63,057 at the lower end (10th percentile) to $86,757 for those who are among the highest earners (90th percentile). This data, derived from BLS 2025 OEWS information, reflects the unique employment landscape within Topeka, where many practitioners may choose between cash-pay private practice and traditional W-2 positions in hospital settings. Understanding this choice can significantly impact earnings, as those who operate on a fee-for-service basis might see different income potential than their W-2 counterparts, especially in a market characterized by its notable diversity in work settings.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $63,057 | $30.32 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $65,176 | $31.34 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $74,361 | $35.75 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $82,954 | $39.89 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $86,757 | $41.71 |
Median Salary Position
6.32% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Topeka
In Topeka, KS, the dietitian and nutritionist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $23,700 (2026 est.). At $74,361, the local median is 6.32% below the national median of $79,380.
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At 40 hours/week in Topeka: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Topeka Dietitian and Nutritionist Pay Compares
Topeka median: $74,361/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Topeka Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Kansas Average | $72,125 | +3.10% more |
| National Average | $79,380 | -6.32% less |
Dietitian and Nutritionists in Topeka, KS earn a median of $74,361 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.32% lower than the national median of $79,380 and 3.10% above the Kansas state average of $72,125.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Topeka has a cost of living 11.18% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Topeka, KS has a cost-of-living index of 88.82 (below the national average of 100). A dietitian and nutritionist earning $74,361 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $83,721 in an average-cost city — an effective 12.59% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$56,480
2025 BLS Actual
$71,570
2026 Current Est.
$74,361
2019–2027 Growth
+36.8%
Salary Trajectory for Dietitians and Nutritionists in Topeka (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.90% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $56,480 | Actual |
| 2020 | $58,100 | Actual |
| 2021 | $60,110 | Actual |
| 2022 | $65,590 | Actual |
| 2023 | $69,660 | Actual |
| 2024 | $73,670 | Actual |
| 2025 | $71,570 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $74,361 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $77,261 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Topeka metropolitan area, the median dietitian and nutritionist salary grew 26.7% from $56,480 (2019) to $71,570 (2025). At a 3.90% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $77,261 by 2027 — a total increase of $20,781 (36.79%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Topeka 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) | $63,057 – $65,176 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $65,176 – $74,361 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $74,361 – $82,954 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $82,954 – $86,757 |
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 Topeka
In Topeka, around 70 dietitians and nutritionists make their careers in a community where the cost-of-living index stands at 88.82, indicating more favorable purchasing power compared to the national average. This backdrop allows for different pay scales depending on the type of employer; institutions such as hospital clinical nutrition departments, outpatient diabetes or cardiology clinics, and long-term care facilities typically offer more competitive compensation packages. The disparity in dietitian and nutritionist pay in Topeka, KS, can often be attributed to specialization—those holding credentials in renal or oncology nutrition can command higher rates than generalists. Moreover, factors like ownership of private practices, consulting for sports teams, and added stipends for board specialties can significantly enhance earning potential. Aspiring professionals in Topeka would benefit from cultivating specialized skills and exploring innovative cash-pay avenues to maximize their income amidst evolving healthcare trends.
More salary data for Topeka, 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 $71,570 for dietitians and nutritionistsin the Topeka 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