Dietitian and Nutritionist Salary in St. Louis, MO: $73,104 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dietitian and nutritionist in St. Louis, MO earns a median $73,104/year (≈ $35.15/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1031). Once you factor in St. Louis's price level (5% below national, BEA RPP 95.1), that paycheck buys what $76,880 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 10.3% above the Missouri state average.
Official BLS data · View source
The 2026 median annual salary for dietitian and nutritionist professionals in St. Louis, Missouri, is estimated at $73,104, which reflects a notable gap when compared to the national median of $79,380. The salary range for this occupation in the region spans from $53,768 at the lower end to $94,653 for those in the top tier. These insights, derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys, underscore the compensation landscape within the local market. With growing demand for nutrition services and a projected annual growth rate of 3.90% for these roles, St. Louis presents opportunities for dietitians and nutritionists navigating their career paths. This evolving job market may provide advantages for RDNs, especially those with advanced credentials or specialties.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $53,768 | $25.85 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $62,932 | $30.26 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $73,104 | $35.15 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $82,351 | $39.60 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $94,653 | $45.51 |
Median Salary Position
7.91% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in St. Louis
In St. Louis, MO, the dietitian and nutritionist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $40,885 (2026 est.). At $73,104, the local median is 7.91% below the national median of $79,380.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in St. Louis: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How St. Louis Dietitian and Nutritionist Pay Compares
St. Louis median: $73,104/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | St. Louis Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Missouri Average | $66,277 | +10.30% more |
| National Average | $79,380 | -7.91% less |
Dietitian and Nutritionists in St. Louis, MO earn a median of $73,104 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.91% lower than the national median of $79,380 and 10.30% above the Missouri state average of $66,277.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
St. Louis has a cost of living 4.91% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
St. Louis, MO has a cost-of-living index of 95.088 (below the national average of 100). A dietitian and nutritionist earning $73,104 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $76,880 in an average-cost city — an effective 5.17% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$58,710
2025 BLS Actual
$70,360
2026 Current Est.
$73,104
2019–2027 Growth
+29.4%
Salary Trajectory for Dietitians and Nutritionists in St. Louis (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.90% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $58,710 | Actual |
| 2020 | $61,750 | Actual |
| 2021 | $48,970 | Actual |
| 2022 | $61,370 | Actual |
| 2023 | $61,050 | Actual |
| 2024 | $67,450 | Actual |
| 2025 | $70,360 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $73,104 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $75,955 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the St. Louis metropolitan area, the median dietitian and nutritionist salary grew 19.8% from $58,710 (2019) to $70,360 (2025). At a 3.90% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $75,955 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,245 (29.37%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the St. Louis 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) | $53,768 – $62,932 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $62,932 – $73,104 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $73,104 – $82,351 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $82,351 – $94,653 |
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. Louis
About 700 dietitians and nutritionists are currently employed in St. Louis, reflecting a stable demand for professionals in this field. The cost of living index in the area stands at 95.088, indicating a more affordable living environment relative to the national average. This cost factor can enhance take-home purchasing power, making salaries more competitive in a local context. Key employers, such as hospital clinical nutrition departments and outpatient clinics focused on diabetes and cardiology, tend to offer the highest salaries. The disparity in compensation is influenced by factors including specialty areas like renal CSR and oncology CSO, alongside varying income potential in public health settings versus corporate wellness programs. For those seeking to maximize their pay in St. Louis, diversifying clinical expertise and establishing a presence in cash-pay private practice can be effective strategies.
More salary data for St. Louis, MO:
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 $70,360 for dietitians and nutritionistsin the St. Louis 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