Dietitian and Nutritionist Salary in Ithaca, NY: $80,232 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dietitian and nutritionist in Ithaca, NY earns a median $80,232/year (≈ $38.58/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1031). Once you factor in Ithaca's price level (3% above national, BEA RPP 103.3), that paycheck buys what $77,656 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.3% below the New York state average.
Official BLS data · View source
The dietitian and nutritionist salary in Ithaca, New York, reflects the local market for these healthcare professionals, particularly following the transition to a master's degree requirement effective in 2024. In 2026, registered dietitians can expect a median annual salary of $80,232, surpassing the national median of $79,380. The salary range for this occupation spans from $57,342 at the 10th percentile to $112,430 at the 90th percentile. This data is derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys, which indicate promising financial prospects for those in this field within Ithaca, particularly as demand for qualified professionals continues to grow.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $57,342 | $27.58 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $69,000 | $33.18 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $80,232 | $38.58 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $93,791 | $45.09 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $112,430 | $54.06 |
Median Salary Position
1.07% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Ithaca
In Ithaca, NY, the dietitian and nutritionist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $55,088 (2026 est.). At $80,232, the local median is 1.07% above the national median of $79,380.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Ithaca: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Ithaca Dietitian and Nutritionist Pay Compares
Ithaca median: $80,232/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Ithaca Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New York Average | $81,288 | -1.30% less |
| National Average | $79,380 | +1.07% more |
Dietitian and Nutritionists in Ithaca, NY earn a median of $80,232 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.07% higher than the national median of $79,380 and 1.30% below the New York state average of $81,288.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Ithaca has a cost of living 3.32% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Ithaca, NY has a cost-of-living index of 103.317 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $80,232 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $77,656 — a 3.21% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$62,520
2025 BLS Actual
$77,220
2026 Current Est.
$80,232
2019–2027 Growth
+33.3%
Salary Trajectory for Dietitians and Nutritionists in Ithaca (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.90% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $62,520 | Actual |
| 2020 | $64,780 | Actual |
| 2021 | $62,312 | Actual |
| 2022 | $66,340 | Actual |
| 2023 | $70,428 | Actual |
| 2024 | $70,600 | Actual |
| 2025 | $77,220 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $80,232 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $83,361 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Ithaca metropolitan area, the median dietitian and nutritionist salary grew 23.5% from $62,520 (2019) to $77,220 (2025). At a 3.90% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $83,361 by 2027 — a total increase of $20,841 (33.33%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Ithaca 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) | $57,342 – $69,000 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $69,000 – $80,232 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $80,232 – $93,791 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $93,791 – $112,430 |
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 Ithaca
Ithaca's local job market offers employment opportunities for approximately 30 dietitians and nutritionists. However, the cost of living index of 103.317 indicates that residents face a slightly higher-than-average expense for goods and services. Among local employers, hospital clinical nutrition departments and outpatient clinics for diabetes or oncology tend to offer higher salaries, reflecting the demand for specialized services. Variability in pay can be attributed to the area of specialization, with board-certified practitioners in renal or oncology settings often earning more than those in general clinical roles. Additionally, opportunities in cash-pay private practices are rising, allowing for greater income potential depending on clientele and services offered. Dietitians looking to maximize their pay in this market should consider positioning themselves in high-demand specialties, pursuing additional certifications, or exploring avenues in corporate wellness and consulting, which can significantly enhance their earning potential.
More salary data for Ithaca, NY:
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 $77,220 for dietitians and nutritionistsin the Ithaca 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, 5-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