Dietitian and Nutritionist Salary in Traverse City, MI: $62,226 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dietitian and nutritionist in Traverse City, MI earns a median $62,226/year (≈ $29.91/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1031). Once you factor in Traverse City's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.4), that paycheck buys what $66,643 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 11.1% below the Michigan state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Traverse City, MI, the field of nutrition and dietetics offers a median annual salary of $62,226, presenting a notable contrast to the national average of $79,380. This disparity highlights the structural choices faced by professionals in the area, particularly between pursuing cash-pay private practice and traditional W-2 positions in hospitals. The salary range for dietitians and nutritionists in this city spans from $38,786 at the lower tenth percentile to an upper echelon of $101,500 at the ninety percentile. Data from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, projected to 2026, sheds light on the compensation dynamics and local employment landscape, indicating a stable market with opportunities tied to various practice settings, from private clinics to wellness programs.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38,786 | $18.65 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $50,817 | $24.44 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $62,226 | $29.91 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $80,523 | $38.71 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $101,500 | $48.80 |
Median Salary Position
21.61% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Traverse City
In Traverse City, MI, the dietitian and nutritionist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $62,714 (2026 est.). At $62,226, the local median is 21.61% below the national median of $79,380.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Traverse City: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Traverse City Dietitian and Nutritionist Pay Compares
Traverse City median: $62,226/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Traverse City Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Michigan Average | $69,995 | -11.10% less |
| National Average | $79,380 | -21.61% less |
Dietitian and Nutritionists in Traverse City, MI earn a median of $62,226 per year (2026 est.), which is 21.61% lower than the national median of $79,380 and 11.10% below the Michigan state average of $69,995.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Traverse City has a cost of living 6.63% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Traverse City, MI has a cost-of-living index of 93.372 (below the national average of 100). A dietitian and nutritionist earning $62,226 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $66,643 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.1% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$48,030
2025 BLS Actual
$59,890
2026 Current Est.
$62,226
2019–2027 Growth
+34.6%
Salary Trajectory for Dietitians and Nutritionists in Traverse City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.90% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $48,030 | Actual |
| 2020 | $49,456 | Actual |
| 2021 | $48,327 | Actual |
| 2022 | $52,090 | Actual |
| 2023 | $54,622 | Actual |
| 2024 | $56,448 | Actual |
| 2025 | $59,890 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $62,226 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $64,653 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Traverse City metropolitan area, the median dietitian and nutritionist salary grew 24.7% from $48,030 (2019) to $59,890 (2025). At a 3.90% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $64,653 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,623 (34.61%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Traverse City 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) | $38,786 – $50,817 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $50,817 – $62,226 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $62,226 – $80,523 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $80,523 – $101,500 |
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 Traverse City
The local job market employs approximately 30 dietitians and nutritionists, reinforcing the need for professionals to consider the cost-of-living index of 93.372, which is below the national average. This figure suggests that while salaries may appear lower compared to national standards, the purchasing power in Traverse City can offer a practical lifestyle. Among employers, hospital clinical nutrition departments and long-term care facilities generally provide the highest pay, while cash-pay avenues can lead to significant income for those willing to establish their own practices. The variation in salary reflects the demand for specialized skills, including those in renal care, oncology, and sports nutrition, as well as the growing trend toward intuitive eating and HAES models. To maximize earnings, dietitians and nutritionists should explore niche specialties and consider hybrids of clinical and entrepreneurial opportunities, which can enhance their competitiveness in the Traverse City market.
More salary data for Traverse City, 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 $59,890 for dietitians and nutritionistsin the Traverse City 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, 2-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