Dietitian and Nutritionist Salary in Grand Rapids, MI: $69,956 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dietitian and nutritionist in Grand Rapids, MI earns a median $69,956/year (≈ $33.63/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1031). Once you factor in Grand Rapids's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 95.5), that paycheck buys what $73,217 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.0% above the Michigan state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Grand Rapids, MI, the anticipated median annual salary for dietitians and nutritionists in 2026 is projected to be $69,956. This figure reflects a significant adjustment following the recent transition to a master's degree requirement for entry-level roles as mandated by the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR), which will have an impact on the educational landscape and entry-level compensation. The projected salary range highlights this shift, with top positions potentially earning as much as $84,367 and entry-level roles starting at around $50,682. According to estimates based on 2025 BLS data, this salary is approximately 11.87% lower than the national median of $79,380, signaling a unique local market context for those entering the dietitian and nutritionist profession in Grand Rapids.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $50,682 | $24.36 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $61,685 | $29.65 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $69,956 | $33.63 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $81,780 | $39.32 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $84,367 | $40.56 |
Median Salary Position
11.87% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Grand Rapids
In Grand Rapids, MI, the dietitian and nutritionist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $33,685 (2026 est.). At $69,956, the local median is 11.87% below the national median of $79,380.
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At 40 hours/week in Grand Rapids: You'd be above the median
How Grand Rapids Dietitian and Nutritionist Pay Compares
Grand Rapids median: $69,956/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Grand Rapids Pays |
|---|---|---|
| National Average | $79,380 | -11.87% less |
Dietitian and Nutritionists in Grand Rapids, MI earn a median of $69,956 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.87% lower than the national median of $79,380.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Grand Rapids has a cost of living 4.45% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Grand Rapids, MI has a cost-of-living index of 95.546 (below the national average of 100). A dietitian and nutritionist earning $69,956 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $73,217 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.66% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$57,290
2025 BLS Actual
$67,330
2026 Current Est.
$69,956
2019–2027 Growth
+26.9%
Salary Trajectory for Dietitians and Nutritionists in Grand Rapids (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.90% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $57,290 | Actual |
| 2020 | $59,160 | Actual |
| 2021 | $60,360 | Actual |
| 2022 | $65,270 | Actual |
| 2023 | $69,660 | Actual |
| 2024 | $66,210 | Actual |
| 2025 | $67,330 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $69,956 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $72,684 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Grand Rapids metropolitan area, the median dietitian and nutritionist salary grew 17.5% from $57,290 (2019) to $67,330 (2025). At a 3.90% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $72,684 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,394 (26.87%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Grand Rapids 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) | $50,682 – $61,685 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $61,685 – $69,956 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $69,956 – $81,780 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $81,780 – $84,367 |
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 Grand Rapids
With about 300 dietitians and nutritionists currently employed in the Grand Rapids area, the job market appears strong, despite the lower median salary. The cost-of-living index in the city stands at 95.546, indicating that the area is slightly below national averages, which may allow for a better take-home purchasing power for those working in the field. Facilities such as hospital clinical nutrition departments and long-term care or skilled nursing facilities often offer higher salaries compared to roles in school district food service programs or public health clinics. This pay variance often stems from the level of specialization and the demand for certain skills; specialties like renal nutrition or oncology nutrition can command higher fees, especially in cash-pay private practices that thrive outside traditional medical insurance systems. To maximize earning potential, dietitians and nutritionists in Grand Rapids MI should consider building expertise in specialized areas, pursuing cash-pay models, and tapping into consulting opportunities with sports teams or corporate wellness programs.
More salary data for Grand Rapids, MI:
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 $67,330 for dietitians and nutritionistsin the Grand Rapids 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