Dietitian Pay

Dietitian and Nutritionist Salary in Silver Spring, MD: $84,543 (2026)

Quick Answer:A full-time dietitian and nutritionist in Silver Spring, MD earns a median $84,543/year (≈ $40.65/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1031). Once you factor in Silver Spring's price level (9% above national, BEA RPP 109.3), that paycheck buys what $77,349 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.6% below the Maryland state average.

$84,543
Median Annual Salary
$40.65/hr
Median Hourly Rate
$55,886
Entry Level (P10)
$114,376
Top Earners (P90)

Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

Dietitian and Nutritionist Salary in Silver Spring, MD — 2026 est., based on 2025 BLS
Silver Spring, MD dietitian and nutritionist salary overview (2026 est., based on 2025 BLS)

In 2026, the dietitian and nutritionist salary in Silver Spring, MD is projected to reach a significant $84,543, reflecting a robust market for nutrition professionals in the region. This figure not only surpasses the national median of $79,380 by 6.50%, but also indicates a healthy range for salaries, from $55,886 at the 10th percentile to $114,376 at the 90th percentile. These estimates are derived from BLS state-level data and adjusted for the regional cost of living, which stands at 109.3—indicating a cost structure above the national average. Silver Spring’s focus on advanced practice and specialty board certifications may further enhance salary opportunities, as employers increasingly seek dietitians with specialized training in areas such as renal nutrition or diabetes education.

About the Silver Spring Market

Salary estimated from Maryland average ($74,000) adjusted for local cost of living.

Salary Breakdown

PercentileAnnualHourly
Entry Level (P10)$55,886$26.87
Lower Range (P25)$70,343$33.82
Median (P50)(typical)$84,543$40.65
Upper Range (P75)$100,847$48.48
Top Earners (P90)$114,376$54.98

Median Salary Position

$55,886$114,376
City Median: $84,543
National: $79,380
P10–P90 Range

6.50% above the national average

2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Silver Spring

Vertical bar chart of 10th through 90th percentile salaries for dietitian and nutritionists in Silver Spring. The median salary is $84,543, compared to the national median of $79,380.$50.3K$67.7K$85.2K$102.6K$120.1K$55.9K10th Pctl$70.3K25th Pctl$84.5KMedian$100.8K75th Pctl$114.4K90th PctlUS Median$79.4K

In Silver Spring, MD, the dietitian and nutritionist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $58,490 (2026 est.). At $84,543, the local median is 6.5% above the national median of $79,380.

Source: BLS OEWS projected to 2026. Percentiles reflect the distribution of dietitian and nutritionist pay in the Silver Spring metro area.

Salary Calculator

8 hrs (1 day)24 hrs (3 days)40 hrs (full-time)
$1,626
per week
$7,045
per month
$84,543
per year

At 40 hours/week in Silver Spring: You'd be in the lower-middle range

How Silver Spring Dietitian and Nutritionist Pay Compares

Silver Spring median: $84,543/year (2026)

Compared ToMedian SalarySilver Spring Pays
Maryland Average$86,800-2.60% less
National Average$79,380+6.50% more
Horizontal bar chart comparing dietitian and nutritionist median salary in Silver Spring ($84,543) with Maryland average ($86,800) and the US national median ($79,380).Silver Spring$84,543Maryland Avg$86,800-2.60%US National$79,380+6.50%

Dietitian and Nutritionists in Silver Spring, MD earn a median of $84,543 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.50% higher than the national median of $79,380 and 2.60% below the Maryland state average of $86,800.

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary

$84,543
Nominal Salary
109.3
CoL Index
$77,349
Adjusted Salary

Silver Spring has a cost of living 9.30% above the national average.

Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.

The nominal salary is $84,543. After adjusting for a cost-of-living index of 109.3, the purchasing-power equivalent is $77,349, a loss of $7,194.$65.7K$73.6K$81.5K$89.4K$97.2K$84,543NominalSalary$77,349CoL Adjusted(CoL: 109.3) -8.51%US Median $79.4K

Silver Spring, MD has a cost-of-living index of 109.3 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $84,543 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $77,349 — a 8.51% reduction.

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2019 BLS Actual

$65,256

2025 BLS Actual

$81,370

2026 Current Est.

$84,543

2019–2027 Growth

+34.6%

Salary Trajectory for Dietitians and Nutritionists in Silver Spring (20192027)

2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.90% projection.

BLS Actual Estimated Projected
Salary trajectory chart for dietitians and nutritionists in Silver Spring. Baseline $65,256 in 2025, projected to $87,841 by 2027.$60.7K$68.6K$76.5K$84.5K$92.4K2019202020212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$65.3K$67.2K$65.7K$70.8K$74.2K$78.8K$81.4K$84.5K$87.8K
YearAnnual SalaryStatus
2019$65,256Actual
2020$67,194Actual
2021$65,660Actual
2022$70,773Actual
2023$74,213Actual
2024$78,814Actual
2025$81,370Actual
2026(current)$84,543Estimated
2027$87,841Projected

Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Silver Spring metropolitan area, the median dietitian and nutritionist salary grew 24.7% from $65,256 (2019) to $81,370 (2025). At a 3.90% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $87,841 by 2027 — a total increase of $22,585 (34.61%) from 2019.

Note: Historical values (20192025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Silver Spring metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 20262026 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

ExperienceEstimated Salary Range
0-2 years (New Graduate)$55,886$70,343
3-5 years (Mid Career)$70,343$84,543
5+ years (Experienced)$84,543$100,847
10+ years (Top Earner)$100,847$114,376

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 Silver Spring

Analyzing the job market context for dietitians and nutritionists in Silver Spring reveals a competitive landscape with 12 professionals currently employed in the field. The above-average cost of living impacts take-home purchasing power, emphasizing the need for professionals to seek roles in higher-paying sectors. Among the various employers, hospital clinical nutrition departments and outpatient clinics for diabetes and cardiology typically offer better compensation than public health settings or school food programs. The variance in pay is influenced by factors such as specialty credentials, practice ownership in cash-pay private practices, and consulting for sports teams—which tend to provide premium income. For those looking to maximize pay in this market, pursuing advanced specialties, engaging in corporate wellness programs, or building a successful private practice can be effective strategies for increasing overall earnings in the dynamic Silver Spring area.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do dietitians and nutritionists make in Silver Spring, MD in 2026?

The estimated 2026 median dietitian and nutritionist salary in Silver Spring is $84,543/year ($40.65/hour), based on estimated 2026 salary (projected from 2025 BLS data at 3.90% annual growth). Salaries range from $55,886 at entry level (10th percentile) to $114,376 for experienced top earners (90th percentile). This puts Silver Spring at 6.5% above the national median. Full-time dietitians and nutritionists typically work 2,080 hours per year, though many positions offer part-time schedules with flexible hours across multiple practices.

Is Silver Spring, MD a good place to work as a dietitian and nutritionist?

Silver Spring dietitian and nutritionist salaries are 6.5% above the national average and 2.6% below the Maryland state average. The metro area employs approximately 12 dietitians and nutritionists. With a cost-of-living index of 109.3, you should factor in higher living costs when evaluating compensation. Job availability depends on population density, the number of practices, and retirement turnover in the area.

Can dietitians and nutritionists make $100K in Silver Spring?

The median dietitian and nutritionist salary in Silver Spring is $84,543, and the 90th percentile earns $114,376. Reaching $100K in this market typically requires a combination of advanced certifications, working at multiple practices, or transitioning into education or consulting roles.

What is the cost-of-living adjusted dietitian and nutritionist salary in Silver Spring?

After adjusting for Silver Spring's cost-of-living index of 109.3 (where 100 equals the national average), the $84,543 nominal salary has purchasing power equivalent to $77,349 in an average-cost city. This means living costs in Silver Spring reduce the effective value of your salary by 8.5% compared to the national average — consider negotiating higher base pay or exploring nearby lower-cost metros.

How much does a dietitian and nutritionist make per hour in Silver Spring?

Dietitians and Nutritionists in Silver Spring earn a median hourly rate of $40.65, which translates to approximately $84,543/year for full-time work (40 hours/week, 2,080 hours/year). Hourly rates range from $26.87 for entry-level positions to $54.98 for the most experienced practitioners. Part-time and per diem dietitians and nutritionists sometimes command premium hourly rates because practices need flexible scheduling coverage.

Related Pages

Nearby Cities in Maryland

AP

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.

Clinically reviewed by Carlos Gomez, RDNData verified by Emily Chen, MS, RDN

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 $81,370 for dietitians and nutritionistsin the Silver Spring 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 Silver Spring is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).

View estimation methodology

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

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