Dietitian and Nutritionist Salary in St. Cloud, MN: $84,803 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dietitian and nutritionist in St. Cloud, MN earns a median $84,803/year (≈ $40.77/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1031). Once you factor in St. Cloud's price level (12% below national, BEA RPP 87.6), that paycheck buys what $96,772 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 8.5% above the Minnesota state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In St. Cloud, Minnesota, the expected median annual salary for dietitians and nutritionists in 2026 is projected to be $84,803, representing a 6.83% increase compared to the national median of $79,380. The salary range varies significantly, with the lowest earners making around $68,034 and the top 10% earning up to $102,206. These figures are derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports and reflect a growing demand for nutrition professionals in the region, particularly as individuals with specialty credentials, such as renal CSR and oncology CSO, are increasingly sought after. The job market in St. Cloud presents promising opportunities for those entering the field, especially in settings where specialized knowledge is valued.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $68,034 | $32.71 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $68,034 | $32.71 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $84,803 | $40.77 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $92,107 | $44.28 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $102,206 | $49.14 |
Median Salary Position
6.83% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in St. Cloud
In St. Cloud, MN, the dietitian and nutritionist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $34,172 (2026 est.). At $84,803, the local median is 6.83% above the national median of $79,380.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in St. Cloud: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How St. Cloud Dietitian and Nutritionist Pay Compares
St. Cloud median: $84,803/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | St. Cloud Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Minnesota Average | $78,160 | +8.50% more |
| National Average | $79,380 | +6.83% more |
Dietitian and Nutritionists in St. Cloud, MN earn a median of $84,803 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.83% higher than the national median of $79,380 and 8.50% above the Minnesota state average of $78,160.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
St. Cloud has a cost of living 12.37% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
St. Cloud, MN has a cost-of-living index of 87.632 (below the national average of 100). A dietitian and nutritionist earning $84,803 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $96,772 in an average-cost city — an effective 14.11% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$67,140
2025 BLS Actual
$81,620
2026 Current Est.
$84,803
2019–2027 Growth
+31.2%
Salary Trajectory for Dietitians and Nutritionists in St. Cloud (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.90% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $67,140 | Actual |
| 2020 | $70,340 | Actual |
| 2021 | $61,370 | Actual |
| 2022 | $64,260 | Actual |
| 2023 | $68,570 | Actual |
| 2024 | $78,760 | Actual |
| 2025 | $81,620 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $84,803 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $88,111 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the St. Cloud metropolitan area, the median dietitian and nutritionist salary grew 21.6% from $67,140 (2019) to $81,620 (2025). At a 3.90% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $88,111 by 2027 — a total increase of $20,971 (31.23%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the St. Cloud 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) | $68,034 – $68,034 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $68,034 – $84,803 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $84,803 – $92,107 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $92,107 – $102,206 |
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 St. Cloud
Analyzing the local job market, St. Cloud employs approximately 60 dietitians and nutritionists, indicating a stable demand for professionals in this sector. With a cost-of-living index of 87.632, the take-home purchasing power for dietitians and nutritionists tends to be favorable compared to many urban areas. Employers such as hospital clinical nutrition departments and outpatient clinics specializing in diabetes or cardiology tend to offer the highest salaries. The pay discrepancy in St. Cloud can often be attributed to factors such as specialty areas, ownership of cash-pay private practices, and consulting roles that cater to sports teams. For those looking to maximize their earning potential, pursuing board specialty credentials and considering cash-pay options or consulting opportunities can significantly enhance their dietitian and nutritionist pay in St. Cloud, MN.
More salary data for St. Cloud, MN:
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 $81,620 for dietitians and nutritionistsin the St. Cloud 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