Dietitian and Nutritionist Salary in Lafayette, LA: $65,665 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dietitian and nutritionist in Lafayette, LA earns a median $65,665/year (≈ $31.56/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1031). Once you factor in Lafayette's price level (13% below national, BEA RPP 87.2), that paycheck buys what $75,296 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 12.1% below the Louisiana state average.
Official BLS data · View source
The anticipated median annual pay for dietitians and nutritionists in Lafayette, Louisiana, is projected to be $65,665 in 2026, reflecting the shifts in the profession following the master's-required transition set to take effect in 2024. This represents a competitive salary range, with entry-level positions starting around $43,004 and experienced professionals earning up to $83,058. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data, illustrate a solid opportunity for growth in a market transitioning to higher educational standards. Given the relatively specialized and higher qualifications now needed for the profession, Lafayette offers a promising landscape for aspiring dietitians and nutritionists.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $43,004 | $20.68 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $61,415 | $29.53 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $65,665 | $31.56 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $73,883 | $35.52 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $83,058 | $39.93 |
Median Salary Position
17.28% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lafayette
In Lafayette, LA, the dietitian and nutritionist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $40,054 (2026 est.). At $65,665, the local median is 17.28% below the national median of $79,380.
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At 40 hours/week in Lafayette: You'd be above the median
How Lafayette Dietitian and Nutritionist Pay Compares
Lafayette median: $65,665/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lafayette Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Louisiana Average | $74,704 | -12.10% less |
| National Average | $79,380 | -17.28% less |
Dietitian and Nutritionists in Lafayette, LA earn a median of $65,665 per year (2026 est.), which is 17.28% lower than the national median of $79,380 and 12.10% below the Louisiana state average of $74,704.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lafayette has a cost of living 12.79% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Lafayette, LA has a cost-of-living index of 87.209 (below the national average of 100). A dietitian and nutritionist earning $65,665 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $75,296 in an average-cost city — an effective 14.67% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$52,930
2025 BLS Actual
$63,200
2026 Current Est.
$65,665
2019–2027 Growth
+28.9%
Salary Trajectory for Dietitians and Nutritionists in Lafayette (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.90% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $52,930 | Actual |
| 2020 | $57,820 | Actual |
| 2021 | $57,580 | Actual |
| 2022 | $61,570 | Actual |
| 2023 | $65,850 | Actual |
| 2024 | $65,130 | Actual |
| 2025 | $63,200 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $65,665 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $68,226 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lafayette metropolitan area, the median dietitian and nutritionist salary grew 19.4% from $52,930 (2019) to $63,200 (2025). At a 3.90% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $68,226 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,296 (28.90%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lafayette 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) | $43,004 – $61,415 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $61,415 – $65,665 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $65,665 – $73,883 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $73,883 – $83,058 |
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 Lafayette
In Lafayette, there are about 100 dietitians and nutritionists currently employed, providing a tailored job market for those in this field. The cost of living in the region, indexed at 87.209, indicates a lower-than-average financial burden compared to the national benchmark, which enhances overall purchasing power for local professionals. Employers that tend to offer the highest salaries include hospital clinical nutrition departments and skilled nursing facilities, while opportunities in outpatient clinics, food service programs, and private practice can yield variable compensation based on specialty and billing structures. Notably, pay disparities can arise from subfields within dietary practice; areas like renal or sports consulting often command premium rates. For those looking to maximize their dietitian and nutritionist pay in Lafayette, pursuing advanced certifications and gaining experience in high-demand specialties could lead to significant salary increases.
More salary data for Lafayette, LA:
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 $63,200 for dietitians and nutritionistsin the Lafayette 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