Dietitian and Nutritionist Salary in Lincoln, NE: $70,558 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dietitian and nutritionist in Lincoln, NE earns a median $70,558/year (≈ $33.92/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1031). Once you factor in Lincoln's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.6), that paycheck buys what $77,044 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.9% below the Nebraska state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, dietitians and nutritionists in Lincoln, Nebraska are projected to earn a median annual salary of $70,558, which reflects the increasing educational requirements following the 2024 transition to a master's degree for credentialing. With a salary range spanning from $51,545 at the 10th percentile to $86,445 at the 90th percentile, this compensation data is derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys. When compared to the national median salary of $79,380, it becomes evident that Lincoln's salaries are approximately 11.11% lower than the national average. The local job market’s response to the evolving landscape of dietetics suggests that future job growth and salary adjustments may follow suit, making it crucial for aspiring professionals to remain competitive.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $51,545 | $24.78 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $63,701 | $30.63 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $70,558 | $33.92 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $80,294 | $38.60 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $86,445 | $41.56 |
Median Salary Position
11.11% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lincoln
In Lincoln, NE, the dietitian and nutritionist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $34,900 (2026 est.). At $70,558, the local median is 11.11% below the national median of $79,380.
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At 40 hours/week in Lincoln: You'd be above the median
How Lincoln Dietitian and Nutritionist Pay Compares
Lincoln median: $70,558/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lincoln Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Nebraska Average | $72,666 | -2.90% less |
| National Average | $79,380 | -11.11% less |
Dietitian and Nutritionists in Lincoln, NE earn a median of $70,558 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.11% lower than the national median of $79,380 and 2.90% below the Nebraska state average of $72,666.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lincoln has a cost of living 8.42% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Lincoln, NE has a cost-of-living index of 91.581 (below the national average of 100). A dietitian and nutritionist earning $70,558 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $77,044 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.19% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$57,660
2025 BLS Actual
$67,910
2026 Current Est.
$70,558
2019–2027 Growth
+27.1%
Salary Trajectory for Dietitians and Nutritionists in Lincoln (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.90% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $57,660 | Actual |
| 2020 | $55,300 | Actual |
| 2021 | $59,320 | Actual |
| 2022 | $61,210 | Actual |
| 2023 | $64,320 | Actual |
| 2024 | $69,140 | Actual |
| 2025 | $67,910 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $70,558 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $73,310 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lincoln metropolitan area, the median dietitian and nutritionist salary grew 17.8% from $57,660 (2019) to $67,910 (2025). At a 3.90% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $73,310 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,650 (27.14%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lincoln 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) | $51,545 – $63,701 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $63,701 – $70,558 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $70,558 – $80,294 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $80,294 – $86,445 |
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 Lincoln
Currently, Lincoln employs around 100 dietitians and nutritionists, indicating a stable job market for registered dietitian nutritionists in the region. The cost of living in Lincoln, with a index of 91.581, suggests that professionals in this field have a favorable purchasing power relative to some larger metropolitan areas. Top employers typically include hospital clinical nutrition departments and corporate wellness programs, which tend to offer competitive salaries. Salary variance is influenced by specialization, with those in high-demand areas such as renal nutrition or oncology potentially earning more than their peers. For those pursuing careers in private practice or cash-pay models, understanding local market trends and networking effectively are vital strategies for maximizing pay in this competitive landscape. Additionally, earning board specialty certifications can provide an edge in negotiating higher salaries.
More salary data for Lincoln, NE:
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 $67,910 for dietitians and nutritionistsin the Lincoln 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