Dietitian and Nutritionist Salary in Kernersville, NC: $69,254 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dietitian and nutritionist in Kernersville, NC earns a median $69,254/year (≈ $33.30/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1031). Once you factor in Kernersville's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.6), that paycheck buys what $73,989 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.9% below the North Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Kernersville, North Carolina, dietitians and nutritionists are projected to earn a median annual salary of $69,254 in 2026. This figure represents a competitive yet lower pay scale compared to the national median of $79,380, indicating a regional variance in salary potential. The salary range for dietitians and nutritionists here can vary significantly, with earnings starting at $45,733 (P10) and going up to $91,612 (P90). These estimates, derived from BLS state-level data and adjusted for regional cost differences, suggest a diverse income landscape influenced by specialization and the choice between private practice and traditional employment. Kernersville's job market offers unique opportunities for growth, particularly for practitioners navigating the shift toward cash-pay private practices.
About the Kernersville Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $45,733 | $21.99 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $57,426 | $27.61 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $69,254 | $33.30 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $80,313 | $38.61 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $91,612 | $44.04 |
Median Salary Position
12.76% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Kernersville
In Kernersville, NC, the dietitian and nutritionist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $45,879 (2026 est.). At $69,254, the local median is 12.76% below the national median of $79,380.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Kernersville: You'd be above the median
How Kernersville Dietitian and Nutritionist Pay Compares
Kernersville median: $69,254/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Kernersville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $69,882 | -0.90% less |
| National Average | $79,380 | -12.76% less |
Dietitian and Nutritionists in Kernersville, NC earn a median of $69,254 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.76% lower than the national median of $79,380 and 0.90% below the North Carolina state average of $69,882.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Kernersville 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.
Kernersville, NC has a cost-of-living index of 93.6 (below the national average of 100). A dietitian and nutritionist earning $69,254 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $73,989 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
$53,454
2025 BLS Actual
$66,654
2026 Current Est.
$69,254
2019–2027 Growth
+34.6%
Salary Trajectory for Dietitians and Nutritionists in Kernersville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.90% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $53,454 | Actual |
| 2020 | $55,042 | Actual |
| 2021 | $53,786 | Actual |
| 2022 | $57,973 | Actual |
| 2023 | $60,791 | Actual |
| 2024 | $57,500 | Actual |
| 2025 | $66,654 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $69,254 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $71,954 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Kernersville metropolitan area, the median dietitian and nutritionist salary grew 24.7% from $53,454 (2019) to $66,654 (2025). At a 3.90% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $71,954 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,500 (34.61%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Kernersville 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) | $45,733 – $57,426 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $57,426 – $69,254 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $69,254 – $80,313 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $80,313 – $91,612 |
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 Kernersville
The local job market employs six dietitians and nutritionists, reflecting a niche community wherein expertise can lead to substantial compensation. At a cost-of-living index of 93.6, take-home pay in Kernersville goes further than in many other regions, making it an appealing area for those in the field. In terms of pay, clinical nutrition departments in hospitals tend to offer competitive salaries, closely followed by positions in long-term care facilities and outpatient clinics specializing in diabetes, cardiology, and oncology. The variance in salary, ranging from general clinical practice to concentrated specialties such as sports performance or renal counseling, highlights a robust market dynamic. To maximize pay in Kernersville, pursuing additional board certifications, offering specialized services, and exploring cash-pay options can significantly enhance earning potential in this evolving field.
More salary data for Kernersville, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do dietitians and nutritionists make in Kernersville, NC in 2026?
Is Kernersville, NC a good place to work as a dietitian and nutritionist?
Can dietitians and nutritionists make $100K in Kernersville?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted dietitian and nutritionist salary in Kernersville?
How much does a dietitian and nutritionist make per hour in Kernersville?
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 $66,654 for dietitians and nutritionistsin the Kernersville 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 Kernersville 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