Dietitian and Nutritionist Salary in Chapel Hill, NC: $78,189 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dietitian and nutritionist in Chapel Hill, NC earns a median $78,189/year (≈ $37.59/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1031). Once you factor in Chapel Hill's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.6), that paycheck buys what $83,535 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 11.9% above the North Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the dietitian and nutritionist salary in Chapel Hill is projected to have a median annual income of $78,189, slightly below the national median of $79,380. Salaries for dietitians and nutritionists in the area will range widely, from approximately $48,443 at the lower end (10th percentile) to around $109,545 at the higher end (90th percentile). This salary range reflects the impact of the master's degree requirement effective from 2024, which may be shifting entry-level compensation dynamics. Local estimates derived from BLS state-level data and regional price parity considerations indicate a robust market for dietetic professionals, contributing to a more competitive pay scale within the healthcare and nutrition landscape of Chapel Hill.
About the Chapel Hill Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $48,443 | $23.29 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $62,625 | $30.11 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $78,189 | $37.59 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $90,836 | $43.67 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $109,545 | $52.67 |
Median Salary Position
1.5% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Chapel Hill
In Chapel Hill, NC, the dietitian and nutritionist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $61,102 (2026 est.). At $78,189, the local median is 1.5% below the national median of $79,380.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Chapel Hill: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Chapel Hill Dietitian and Nutritionist Pay Compares
Chapel Hill median: $78,189/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Chapel Hill Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $69,874 | +11.90% more |
| National Average | $79,380 | -1.50% less |
Dietitian and Nutritionists in Chapel Hill, NC earn a median of $78,189 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.50% lower than the national median of $79,380 and 11.90% above the North Carolina state average of $69,874.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Chapel Hill has a cost of living 6.40% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Chapel Hill, NC has a cost-of-living index of 93.6 (below the national average of 100). A dietitian and nutritionist earning $78,189 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $83,535 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.84% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$60,351
2025 BLS Actual
$75,254
2026 Current Est.
$78,189
2019–2027 Growth
+34.6%
Salary Trajectory for Dietitians and Nutritionists in Chapel Hill (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.90% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $60,351 | Actual |
| 2020 | $62,144 | Actual |
| 2021 | $60,725 | Actual |
| 2022 | $65,453 | Actual |
| 2023 | $68,635 | Actual |
| 2024 | $57,932 | Actual |
| 2025 | $75,254 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $78,189 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $81,238 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Chapel Hill metropolitan area, the median dietitian and nutritionist salary grew 24.7% from $60,351 (2019) to $75,254 (2025). At a 3.90% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $81,238 by 2027 — a total increase of $20,887 (34.61%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Chapel Hill 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) | $48,443 – $62,625 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $62,625 – $78,189 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $78,189 – $90,836 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $90,836 – $109,545 |
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 Chapel Hill
Currently, there are just nine dietitians and nutritionists employed in Chapel Hill, underscoring a modest but stable job market for these professionals. The local cost of living index stands at 93.6, indicating a comparatively lower living expense which enhances the take-home purchasing power for residents. Among the highest-paying employers are hospital clinical nutrition departments and outpatient clinics focusing on diabetes and cardiology, which often offer additional stipends for specialized credentials like CDCES. The disparity in pay can be attributed to variations in specialty areas, with roles in renal and oncology nutrition tending to command higher salaries. For those looking to maximize their dietitian and nutritionist pay in Chapel Hill, pursuing advanced certifications and exploring opportunities in cash-pay private practice may be advantageous, as these areas often provide greater financial rewards compared to traditional settings.
More salary data for Chapel Hill, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do dietitians and nutritionists make in Chapel Hill, NC in 2026?
Is Chapel Hill, NC a good place to work as a dietitian and nutritionist?
Can dietitians and nutritionists make $100K in Chapel Hill?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted dietitian and nutritionist salary in Chapel Hill?
How much does a dietitian and nutritionist make per hour in Chapel Hill?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in North Carolina
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 $75,254 for dietitians and nutritionistsin the Chapel Hill 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 Chapel Hill 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