Dietitian and Nutritionist Salary in Moorhead, MN: $75,197 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dietitian and nutritionist in Moorhead, MN earns a median $75,197/year (≈ $36.16/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1031). Once you factor in Moorhead's price level (1% below national, BEA RPP 98.5), that paycheck buys what $76,342 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.8% below the Minnesota state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the average annual compensation for dietitians and nutritionists in Moorhead, Minnesota, is projected to be $75,197, reflecting the recent master's-degree requirement that has influenced entry-level salaries in this profession. Salary estimates indicate a range from $52,138 at the 10th percentile to $102,204 at the 90th percentile, which showcases the diverse earning potential within the local job market. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional price levels, highlight a workforce adapting to new educational benchmarks while maintaining competitive pay relative to national averages. While the figures reveal a local compensation lower than the national median of $79,380, they still provide a significant opportunity for growth within a sector that continues to evolve and expand in Minnesota.
About the Moorhead Market
Salary estimated from Minnesota average ($72,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $52,138 | $25.07 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $64,186 | $30.86 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $75,197 | $36.16 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $84,653 | $40.70 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $102,204 | $49.13 |
Median Salary Position
5.27% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Moorhead
In Moorhead, MN, the dietitian and nutritionist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $50,066 (2026 est.). At $75,197, the local median is 5.27% below the national median of $79,380.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Moorhead: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Moorhead Dietitian and Nutritionist Pay Compares
Moorhead median: $75,197/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Moorhead Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Minnesota Average | $78,167 | -3.80% less |
| National Average | $79,380 | -5.27% less |
Dietitian and Nutritionists in Moorhead, MN earn a median of $75,197 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.27% lower than the national median of $79,380 and 3.80% below the Minnesota state average of $78,167.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Moorhead has a cost of living 1.50% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Moorhead, MN has a cost-of-living index of 98.5 (below the national average of 100). A dietitian and nutritionist earning $75,197 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $76,342 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.52% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$58,041
2025 BLS Actual
$72,374
2026 Current Est.
$75,197
2019–2027 Growth
+34.6%
Salary Trajectory for Dietitians and Nutritionists in Moorhead (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.90% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $58,041 | Actual |
| 2020 | $59,765 | Actual |
| 2021 | $58,401 | Actual |
| 2022 | $62,948 | Actual |
| 2023 | $66,008 | Actual |
| 2024 | $68,206 | Actual |
| 2025 | $72,374 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $75,197 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $78,129 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Moorhead metropolitan area, the median dietitian and nutritionist salary grew 24.7% from $58,041 (2019) to $72,374 (2025). At a 3.90% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $78,129 by 2027 — a total increase of $20,088 (34.61%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Moorhead 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) | $52,138 – $64,186 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $64,186 – $75,197 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $75,197 – $84,653 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $84,653 – $102,204 |
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 Moorhead
The job market for dietitians and nutritionists in Moorhead consists of about 11 professionals, indicating a small but stable presence in the area. With a cost-of-living index of 98.5, salaries here can stretch further compared to more expensive regions, allowing professionals to enjoy their purchasing power. Among potential employers, clinical nutrition departments in hospitals tend to offer the highest wages, while other settings—such as outpatient clinics, long-term care facilities, and private practices—vary widely in compensation based on specialty and practice model. The disparity in pay often aligns with areas of expertise; those focusing on niche areas like sports nutrition or diabetes management may command higher salaries. Aspiring dietitians and nutritionists can bolster their income by pursuing board certifications, engaging in cash-pay practices, or consulting for corporate wellness programs, all of which cater to the growing demand for specialized nutrition services in Moorhead.
More salary data for Moorhead, MN:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do dietitians and nutritionists make in Moorhead, MN in 2026?
Is Moorhead, MN a good place to work as a dietitian and nutritionist?
Can dietitians and nutritionists make $100K in Moorhead?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted dietitian and nutritionist salary in Moorhead?
How much does a dietitian and nutritionist make per hour in Moorhead?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Minnesota
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 $72,374 for dietitians and nutritionistsin the Moorhead 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 Moorhead 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