Dietitian and Nutritionist Salary in Clifton, NJ: $89,753 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dietitian and nutritionist in Clifton, NJ earns a median $89,753/year (≈ $43.15/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1031). Once you factor in Clifton's price level (15% above national, BEA RPP 115.2), that paycheck buys what $77,911 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.9% below the New Jersey state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In 2026, the dietitian and nutritionist salary in Clifton, NJ, is projected to reach a median of $89,753, which is significantly higher than the national median of $79,380, marking a notable 13.07% increase. Salaries for dietitians and nutritionists in this region can vary widely, ranging from $60,352 at the 10th percentile to $125,977 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the diverse working environments and areas of specialty within the field. These figures are estimated based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional economic conditions. With an annual growth rate of 3.90%, the job market for dietitians and nutritionists in Clifton appears robust, indicating continued demand for health professionals dedicated to supporting nutritional needs.
About the Clifton Market
Salary estimated from New Jersey average ($76,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $60,352 | $29.02 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $75,445 | $36.27 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $89,753 | $43.15 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $102,443 | $49.25 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $125,977 | $60.56 |
Median Salary Position
13.07% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Clifton
In Clifton, NJ, the dietitian and nutritionist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $65,625 (2026 est.). At $89,753, the local median is 13.07% above the national median of $79,380.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Clifton: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Clifton Dietitian and Nutritionist Pay Compares
Clifton median: $89,753/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Clifton Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey Average | $91,491 | -1.90% less |
| National Average | $79,380 | +13.07% more |
Dietitian and Nutritionists in Clifton, NJ earn a median of $89,753 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.07% higher than the national median of $79,380 and 1.90% below the New Jersey state average of $91,491.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Clifton has a cost of living 15.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Clifton, NJ has a cost-of-living index of 115.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $89,753 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $77,911 — a 13.19% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$69,277
2025 BLS Actual
$86,384
2026 Current Est.
$89,753
2019–2027 Growth
+34.6%
Salary Trajectory for Dietitians and Nutritionists in Clifton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.90% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $69,277 | Actual |
| 2020 | $71,335 | Actual |
| 2021 | $69,706 | Actual |
| 2022 | $75,134 | Actual |
| 2023 | $78,786 | Actual |
| 2024 | $85,931 | Actual |
| 2025 | $86,384 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $89,753 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $93,253 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Clifton metropolitan area, the median dietitian and nutritionist salary grew 24.7% from $69,277 (2019) to $86,384 (2025). At a 3.90% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $93,253 by 2027 — a total increase of $23,976 (34.61%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Clifton 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) | $60,352 – $75,445 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $75,445 – $89,753 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $89,753 – $102,443 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $102,443 – $125,977 |
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 Clifton
The local job market features 14 employed dietitians and nutritionists, representing a niche but stable community that is well-positioned within the healthcare sector. The cost of living in Clifton, with a CoL index of 115.2, suggests that while salaries may appear competitive, the actual purchasing power is moderated by higher living costs. Among employers, those in hospital clinical nutrition departments typically provide the most lucrative opportunities, followed closely by outpatient clinics specializing in diabetes, cardiology, and oncology. The variance in salaries often depends on experience and specialization, particularly for those with credentials in high-demand areas like renal nutrition or sports nutrition. For dietitians and nutritionists seeking to maximize their pay in Clifton, pursuing additional board certifications, expanding into cash-pay private practice, or consulting for sports teams may provide pathways to higher earnings in this competitive market.
More salary data for Clifton, NJ:
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 $86,384 for dietitians and nutritionistsin the Clifton 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 Clifton 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