Dietitian and Nutritionist Salary in New Bern, NC: $68,543 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dietitian and nutritionist in New Bern, NC earns a median $68,543/year (≈ $32.96/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1031). Once you factor in New Bern's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.6), that paycheck buys what $73,230 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.9% below the North Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, dietitians and nutritionists in New Bern, North Carolina, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $68,543, which is notably lower than the national median of $79,380. Salary ranges in this profession reflect a wide spread, from $44,079 at the 10th percentile to as much as $89,277 at the 90th percentile. These figures are derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional price levels, indicating that the local job market may, to some extent, reflect the economic conditions unique to New Bern. With a projected growth rate of 3.90% over the next five years, the demand for dietitians and nutritionists appears strong, suggesting opportunities for both new entrants and seasoned professionals looking to specialize.
About the New Bern Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $44,079 | $21.20 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $55,962 | $26.90 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $68,543 | $32.96 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $78,639 | $37.81 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $89,277 | $42.92 |
Median Salary Position
13.65% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in New Bern
In New Bern, NC, the dietitian and nutritionist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $45,198 (2026 est.). At $68,543, the local median is 13.65% below the national median of $79,380.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in New Bern: You'd be above the median
How New Bern Dietitian and Nutritionist Pay Compares
New Bern median: $68,543/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | New Bern Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $69,870 | -1.90% less |
| National Average | $79,380 | -13.65% less |
Dietitian and Nutritionists in New Bern, NC earn a median of $68,543 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.65% lower than the national median of $79,380 and 1.90% below the North Carolina state average of $69,870.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
New Bern 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.
New Bern, NC has a cost-of-living index of 93.6 (below the national average of 100). A dietitian and nutritionist earning $68,543 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $73,230 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.84% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$52,906
2025 BLS Actual
$65,970
2026 Current Est.
$68,543
2019–2027 Growth
+34.6%
Salary Trajectory for Dietitians and Nutritionists in New Bern (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.90% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $52,906 | Actual |
| 2020 | $54,477 | Actual |
| 2021 | $53,234 | Actual |
| 2022 | $57,378 | Actual |
| 2023 | $60,167 | Actual |
| 2024 | $56,910 | Actual |
| 2025 | $65,970 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $68,543 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $71,216 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the New Bern metropolitan area, the median dietitian and nutritionist salary grew 24.7% from $52,906 (2019) to $65,970 (2025). At a 3.90% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $71,216 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,310 (34.61%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the New Bern 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) | $44,079 – $55,962 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $55,962 – $68,543 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $68,543 – $78,639 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $78,639 – $89,277 |
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 New Bern
With only seven dietitians and nutritionists currently employed in New Bern, competition for positions is relatively low, but the cost of living index at 93.6 suggests that salaries may stretch further than they would in markets with higher living costs. Facilities that pay well in the area include hospital clinical nutrition departments and long-term care facilities, often prioritizing specialists with credentials like the CSR or CSO due to higher complexity in patient cases. The discrepancy in salaries can often be attributed to factors such as specialization, private practice income from cash-pay clients, and individual negotiation skills. For those looking to maximize their pay in this local market, it's beneficial to gain specialized certifications, consider entering private practice, or expand into corporate wellness programs that often provide lucrative opportunities for nutrition professionals in New Bern, NC.
More salary data for New Bern, 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 $65,970 for dietitians and nutritionistsin the New Bern 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 New Bern 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