Dietitian and Nutritionist Salary in Bowling Green, KY: $65,312 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dietitian and nutritionist in Bowling Green, KY earns a median $65,312/year (≈ $31.40/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1031). Once you factor in Bowling Green's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.2), that paycheck buys what $72,425 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.9% below the Kentucky state average.
Official BLS data · View source
With a projected median annual salary of $65,312 for 2026, dietitian and nutritionist salaries in Bowling Green, KY, demonstrate a notable local contrast to the national median of $79,380. Salary ranges show distinct variance, with the lower end at $34,775 (P10) and the upper limits reaching $91,671 (P90). This data, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, reflects the changing dynamics in the field influenced by the master’s requirement transition established in 2024. With 40 dietitians and nutritionists currently employed in the area, the job market remains robust albeit with a salary that lags about 17.72% under the national average, suggesting a complex economic landscape for these professionals in Bowling Green.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $34,775 | $16.72 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $55,898 | $26.88 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $65,312 | $31.40 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $78,247 | $37.62 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $91,671 | $44.07 |
Median Salary Position
17.72% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Bowling Green
In Bowling Green, KY, the dietitian and nutritionist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $56,896 (2026 est.). At $65,312, the local median is 17.72% below the national median of $79,380.
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At 40 hours/week in Bowling Green: You'd be above the median
How Bowling Green Dietitian and Nutritionist Pay Compares
Bowling Green median: $65,312/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Bowling Green Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Kentucky Average | $70,914 | -7.90% less |
| National Average | $79,380 | -17.72% less |
Dietitian and Nutritionists in Bowling Green, KY earn a median of $65,312 per year (2026 est.), which is 17.72% lower than the national median of $79,380 and 7.90% below the Kentucky state average of $70,914.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Bowling Green has a cost of living 9.82% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Bowling Green, KY has a cost-of-living index of 90.179 (below the national average of 100). A dietitian and nutritionist earning $65,312 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $72,425 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.89% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$50,411
2025 BLS Actual
$62,860
2026 Current Est.
$65,312
2019–2027 Growth
+34.6%
Salary Trajectory for Dietitians and Nutritionists in Bowling Green (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.90% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $50,411 | Actual |
| 2020 | $51,909 | Actual |
| 2021 | $60,110 | Actual |
| 2022 | $63,770 | Actual |
| 2023 | $68,430 | Actual |
| 2024 | $62,670 | Actual |
| 2025 | $62,860 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $65,312 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $67,859 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Bowling Green metropolitan area, the median dietitian and nutritionist salary grew 24.7% from $50,411 (2019) to $62,860 (2025). At a 3.90% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $67,859 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,448 (34.61%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bowling Green 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) | $34,775 – $55,898 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $55,898 – $65,312 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $65,312 – $78,247 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $78,247 – $91,671 |
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 Bowling Green
In Bowling Green, the cost of living index of 90.179 points to a favorable living environment for dietitians and nutritionists despite lower salary figures. Employers offering competitive pay often include hospital clinical nutrition departments and outpatient clinics specializing in areas like diabetes and cardiology. The range in salaries can be driven by various factors, such as specialization in high-demand areas like renal care or oncology, ownership of cash-pay practices, and consulting roles with sports teams. These aspects contribute to better income opportunities compared to general clinical positions. For those looking to maximize their dietitian and nutritionist pay in Bowling Green, KY, focusing on niche practices or enhancing qualifications through board certifications may yield significant financial benefits in this evolving market.
More salary data for Bowling Green, KY:
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 $62,860 for dietitians and nutritionistsin the Bowling Green 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, 5-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