Dietitian and Nutritionist Salary in Fayetteville, NC: $80,221 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dietitian and nutritionist in Fayetteville, NC earns a median $80,221/year (≈ $38.57/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1031). Once you factor in Fayetteville's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 92.0), that paycheck buys what $87,218 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 14.8% above the North Carolina state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Fayetteville, North Carolina, the typical annual compensation for dietitians and nutritionists reaches approximately $80,221 in 2026, reflecting a slight uptick of 1.06% over the national median of $79,380. These professionals can expect to earn between $55,628 to $105,770 depending on their specific roles and experience levels. This data, derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) occupational employment statistics, indicates the growing demand for skilled nutrition professionals in this region. The job market favors those who navigate the decision between cash-pay practices and traditional hospital W-2 positions, with compensation structures that reflect those distinct career paths.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $55,628 | $26.74 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $64,169 | $30.85 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $80,221 | $38.57 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $101,666 | $48.88 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $105,770 | $50.85 |
Median Salary Position
1.06% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Fayetteville
In Fayetteville, NC, the dietitian and nutritionist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $50,142 (2026 est.). At $80,221, the local median is 1.06% above the national median of $79,380.
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At 40 hours/week in Fayetteville: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Fayetteville Dietitian and Nutritionist Pay Compares
Fayetteville median: $80,221/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Fayetteville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $69,879 | +14.80% more |
| National Average | $79,380 | +1.06% more |
Dietitian and Nutritionists in Fayetteville, NC earn a median of $80,221 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.06% higher than the national median of $79,380 and 14.80% above the North Carolina state average of $69,879.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Fayetteville has a cost of living 8.02% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Fayetteville, NC has a cost-of-living index of 91.978 (below the national average of 100). A dietitian and nutritionist earning $80,221 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $87,218 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.72% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$62,390
2025 BLS Actual
$77,210
2026 Current Est.
$80,221
2019–2027 Growth
+33.6%
Salary Trajectory for Dietitians and Nutritionists in Fayetteville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.90% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $62,390 | Actual |
| 2020 | $66,510 | Actual |
| 2021 | $60,390 | Actual |
| 2022 | $68,910 | Actual |
| 2023 | $71,990 | Actual |
| 2024 | $78,230 | Actual |
| 2025 | $77,210 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $80,221 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $83,350 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Fayetteville metropolitan area, the median dietitian and nutritionist salary grew 23.8% from $62,390 (2019) to $77,210 (2025). At a 3.90% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $83,350 by 2027 — a total increase of $20,960 (33.60%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Fayetteville 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) | $55,628 – $64,169 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $64,169 – $80,221 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $80,221 – $101,666 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $101,666 – $105,770 |
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 Fayetteville
With around 130 dietitians and nutritionists employed locally, Fayetteville offers a competitive job market, especially when considering the cost of living index at 91.978, which means that salaries stretch a bit further here than in higher-cost areas. Employers that tend to offer the highest pay include hospital clinical nutrition departments and specialized outpatient clinics like those focused on diabetes or cardiology. The spread in salaries can be attributed to specialization; those with expertise in kidney care or oncology often command higher compensations. Additionally, private practice owners who adopt a cash-pay model have seen significant income growth, highlighting the current shift in the industry. For professionals looking to maximize their revenue, pursuing specialty certifications or blending roles within the public health and corporate wellness sectors can be an effective strategy to increase earning potential in Fayetteville NC.
More salary data for Fayetteville, 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 $77,210 for dietitians and nutritionistsin the Fayetteville 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