Dietitian and Nutritionist Salary in New Bedford, MA: $80,678 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dietitian and nutritionist in New Bedford, MA earns a median $80,678/year (≈ $38.79/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1031). Once you factor in New Bedford's price level (9% above national, BEA RPP 108.5), that paycheck buys what $74,358 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.7% above the Massachusetts state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In New Bedford, Massachusetts, dietitians and nutritionists can expect a median annual salary of $80,678 in 2026, reflecting a slight edge over the national median of $79,380. Their salaries can range from $53,956 at the 10th percentile to $108,275 at the 90th percentile, highlighting the income potential within this profession. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS state-level data and adjusted for local cost factors, provide a compelling picture of the local job market. As a growing field, dietitian and nutritionist roles in New Bedford are poised to benefit from a 3.90% annual growth rate over the next five years, presenting promising opportunities for those entering the profession, especially with the impending master's degree requirement for registered dietitian nutritionists (RDNs) in 2024.
About the New Bedford Market
Salary estimated from Massachusetts average ($80,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $53,956 | $25.94 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $67,731 | $32.56 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $80,678 | $38.79 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $93,596 | $45.00 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $108,275 | $52.05 |
Median Salary Position
1.64% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in New Bedford
In New Bedford, MA, the dietitian and nutritionist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $54,319 (2026 est.). At $80,678, the local median is 1.64% above the national median of $79,380.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in New Bedford: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How New Bedford Dietitian and Nutritionist Pay Compares
New Bedford median: $80,678/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | New Bedford Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts Average | $80,118 | +0.70% more |
| National Average | $79,380 | +1.64% more |
Dietitian and Nutritionists in New Bedford, MA earn a median of $80,678 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.64% higher than the national median of $79,380 and 0.70% above the Massachusetts state average of $80,118.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
New Bedford has a cost of living 8.50% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
New Bedford, MA has a cost-of-living index of 108.5 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $80,678 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $74,358 — a 7.83% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$69,900
2025 BLS Actual
$77,650
2026 Current Est.
$80,678
2019–2027 Growth
+19.9%
Salary Trajectory for Dietitians and Nutritionists in New Bedford (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.90% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $69,900 | Actual |
| 2020 | $63,920 | Actual |
| 2021 | $59,850 | Actual |
| 2022 | $55,720 | Actual |
| 2023 | $60,650 | Actual |
| 2024 | $87,447 | Actual |
| 2025 | $77,650 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $80,678 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $83,825 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the New Bedford metropolitan area, the median dietitian and nutritionist salary grew 11.1% from $69,900 (2019) to $77,650 (2025). At a 3.90% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $83,825 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,925 (19.92%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the New Bedford 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) | $53,956 – $67,731 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $67,731 – $80,678 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $80,678 – $93,596 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $93,596 – $108,275 |
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 New Bedford
Engagement in the dietitian and nutritionist pay market in New Bedford MA reveals that 24 professionals are currently active, navigating a cost-of-living index of 108.5, which indicates that living expenses are above the national average. This factor can impact take-home earnings, influencing how much do dietitians and nutritionists make in New Bedford. The highest-paying positions are often found within hospital clinical nutrition departments and specialized outpatient clinics focusing on diabetes or cardiology. The pay gap between lower and higher compensation levels in this field is driven by specialty certifications (such as renal CSR and oncology CSO), ownership of cash-pay private practices, and consulting for sports teams, among others. As demand for intuitive eating and HAES (Health at Every Size) models grows, those interested in maximizing their pay should consider diversifying their skill set through board specialty certifications or exploring opportunities in both traditional public health settings and private practice environments, where remuneration often exceeds that of conventional roles.
More salary data for New Bedford, MA:
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 $77,650 for dietitians and nutritionistsin the New Bedford 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 New Bedford 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