Dietitian and Nutritionist Salary in Durham, NC: $77,541 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dietitian and nutritionist in Durham, NC earns a median $77,541/year (≈ $37.28/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1031). Once you factor in Durham's price level (2% below national, BEA RPP 97.6), that paycheck buys what $79,471 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 10.9% above the North Carolina state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the dietitian and nutritionist salary in Durham, NC, is projected to reach a median of $77,541. This aligns closely with the national median of $79,380, indicating a competitive market for these professionals. Those entering the field following the master's-required transition in 2024 may find the starting salary range between $62,330 at the 10th percentile and $95,837 at the 90th percentile to be quite appealing. These estimates, derived from official BLS OEWS surveys, suggest that while entry-level positions are available, greater earning potential is certainly attainable depending on experience, specialization, and workplace setting, emphasizing the evolving landscape of dietetic careers in Durham.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $62,330 | $29.96 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $67,369 | $32.39 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $77,541 | $37.28 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $85,240 | $40.98 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $95,837 | $46.08 |
Median Salary Position
2.32% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Durham
In Durham, NC, the dietitian and nutritionist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $33,507 (2026 est.). At $77,541, the local median is 2.32% below the national median of $79,380.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Durham: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Durham Dietitian and Nutritionist Pay Compares
Durham median: $77,541/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Durham Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $69,919 | +10.90% more |
| National Average | $79,380 | -2.32% less |
Dietitian and Nutritionists in Durham, NC earn a median of $77,541 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.32% lower than the national median of $79,380 and 10.90% above the North Carolina state average of $69,919.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Durham has a cost of living 2.43% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Durham, NC has a cost-of-living index of 97.572 (below the national average of 100). A dietitian and nutritionist earning $77,541 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $79,471 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.49% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$61,510
2025 BLS Actual
$74,630
2026 Current Est.
$77,541
2019–2027 Growth
+31.0%
Salary Trajectory for Dietitians and Nutritionists in Durham (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.90% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $61,510 | Actual |
| 2020 | $64,200 | Actual |
| 2021 | $60,360 | Actual |
| 2022 | $63,440 | Actual |
| 2023 | $67,700 | Actual |
| 2024 | $67,750 | Actual |
| 2025 | $74,630 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $77,541 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $80,565 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Durham metropolitan area, the median dietitian and nutritionist salary grew 21.3% from $61,510 (2019) to $74,630 (2025). At a 3.90% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $80,565 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,055 (30.98%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Durham 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) | $62,330 – $67,369 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $67,369 – $77,541 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $77,541 – $85,240 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $85,240 – $95,837 |
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 Durham
With about 340 dietitians and nutritionists currently employed in the area, the local job market demonstrates a solid demand for qualified professionals. The cost of living in Durham, at an index of 97.572, is lower than the national average, which can enhance the purchasing power of salaries earned in this field. Among various employers, hospital clinical nutrition departments and outpatient clinics focused on diabetes and cardiology tend to offer the most lucrative pay. Factors like specialty areas—such as renal care or sports nutrition—along with cash-pay private practice opportunities, create significant disparities in compensation. To maximize pay in this market, professionals should consider expanding their qualifications with board certifications, exploring diverse practice settings, and establishing networks that could lead to high-paying consulting opportunities. Prioritizing skill development in high-demand niches is also an effective strategy to increase earning potential in Durham's evolving dietetic environment.
More salary data for Durham, NC:
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 $74,630 for dietitians and nutritionistsin the Durham 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