Dietitian and Nutritionist Salary in Lake Charles, LA: $73,715 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dietitian and nutritionist in Lake Charles, LA earns a median $73,715/year (≈ $35.44/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1031). Once you factor in Lake Charles's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.3), that paycheck buys what $81,633 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.3% below the Louisiana state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Lake Charles, Louisiana, the expected salary for dietitians and nutritionists is projected to hit a median of $73,715 in 2026, which is slightly below the national median of $79,380. The salary range offers a broad spectrum, with entry-level positions starting around $50,228 and experienced professionals earning up to $101,602. These estimates are pulled from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional cost factors, and provide insight into the local job market for this field. For those holding specialized credentials, such as the Certified Specialist in Renal Nutrition (CSR) or Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist (CDCES), the variation in pay can be significant, reflecting the demand for targeted expertise in Lake Charles.
About the Lake Charles Market
Salary estimated from Louisiana average ($56,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $50,228 | $24.15 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $62,458 | $30.03 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $73,715 | $35.44 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $87,442 | $42.04 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $101,602 | $48.84 |
Median Salary Position
7.14% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lake Charles
In Lake Charles, LA, the dietitian and nutritionist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $51,374 (2026 est.). At $73,715, the local median is 7.14% below the national median of $79,380.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Lake Charles: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Lake Charles Dietitian and Nutritionist Pay Compares
Lake Charles median: $73,715/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lake Charles Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Louisiana Average | $74,686 | -1.30% less |
| National Average | $79,380 | -7.14% less |
Dietitian and Nutritionists in Lake Charles, LA earn a median of $73,715 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.14% lower than the national median of $79,380 and 1.30% below the Louisiana state average of $74,686.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lake Charles has a cost of living 9.70% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Lake Charles, LA has a cost-of-living index of 90.3 (below the national average of 100). A dietitian and nutritionist earning $73,715 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $81,633 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.74% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$54,130
2025 BLS Actual
$70,948
2026 Current Est.
$73,715
2019–2027 Growth
+41.5%
Salary Trajectory for Dietitians and Nutritionists in Lake Charles (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.90% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $54,130 | Actual |
| 2020 | $53,440 | Actual |
| 2021 | $60,110 | Actual |
| 2022 | $61,708 | Actual |
| 2023 | $64,708 | Actual |
| 2024 | $49,912 | Actual |
| 2025 | $70,948 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $73,715 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $76,590 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lake Charles metropolitan area, the median dietitian and nutritionist salary grew 31.1% from $54,130 (2019) to $70,948 (2025). At a 3.90% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $76,590 by 2027 — a total increase of $22,460 (41.49%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lake Charles 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) | $50,228 – $62,458 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $62,458 – $73,715 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $73,715 – $87,442 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $87,442 – $101,602 |
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 Lake Charles
With only 15 dietitians and nutritionists currently employed in the area, the job market remains competitive. The cost-of-living index of 90.3 indicates that Lake Charles has a lower cost of living compared to the national average, enhancing the purchasing power of local salaries. Healthcare facilities, including hospital clinical nutrition departments and skilled nursing facilities, typically offer the higher salaries found in the region. On the other hand, professionals in cash-pay private practice or those who specialize in sports nutrition have the potential for greater earnings due to client demand and service flexibility. To maximize pay in this market, pursuing board specialty certifications, exploring opportunities in corporate wellness settings, and aligning oneself with high-demand clinical areas can be effective strategies for professionals in Lake Charles, LA.
More salary data for Lake Charles, LA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do dietitians and nutritionists make in Lake Charles, LA in 2026?
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Can dietitians and nutritionists make $100K in Lake Charles?
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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 $70,948 for dietitians and nutritionistsin the Lake Charles 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 Lake Charles 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