Dietitian and Nutritionist Salary in Wake Forest, NC: $68,910 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dietitian and nutritionist in Wake Forest, NC earns a median $68,910/year (≈ $33.13/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1031). Once you factor in Wake Forest's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.6), that paycheck buys what $73,622 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.4% below the North Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Wake Forest, North Carolina, dietitians and nutritionists can expect a median annual salary projected at $68,910 in 2026, which is notably lower than the national median of $79,380, suggesting a local market that offers competitive opportunities within the healthcare landscape. Salary ranges for this role in the area illustrate a variation in earning potential, falling between $46,831 at the 10th percentile and $94,824 at the 90th percentile. These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS state-level data and adjusted for regional price parity, reveal a unique aspect of Wake Forest's job market influenced by the structural choice between cash-pay private practice and traditional employment in hospital settings. The peculiar dynamics of healthcare compensation, characterized by the interaction of healthcare delivery models and community needs, create diverse pathways for aspiring dietitians and nutritionists.
About the Wake Forest Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $46,831 | $22.52 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $56,787 | $27.30 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $68,910 | $33.13 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $81,650 | $39.25 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $94,824 | $45.59 |
Median Salary Position
13.19% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Wake Forest
In Wake Forest, NC, the dietitian and nutritionist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $47,993 (2026 est.). At $68,910, the local median is 13.19% below the national median of $79,380.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Wake Forest: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Wake Forest Dietitian and Nutritionist Pay Compares
Wake Forest median: $68,910/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Wake Forest Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $69,888 | -1.40% less |
| National Average | $79,380 | -13.19% less |
Dietitian and Nutritionists in Wake Forest, NC earn a median of $68,910 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.19% lower than the national median of $79,380 and 1.40% below the North Carolina state average of $69,888.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Wake Forest 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.
Wake Forest, NC has a cost-of-living index of 93.6 (below the national average of 100). A dietitian and nutritionist earning $68,910 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $73,622 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.84% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$53,189
2025 BLS Actual
$66,323
2026 Current Est.
$68,910
2019–2027 Growth
+34.6%
Salary Trajectory for Dietitians and Nutritionists in Wake Forest (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.90% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $53,189 | Actual |
| 2020 | $54,769 | Actual |
| 2021 | $53,518 | Actual |
| 2022 | $57,685 | Actual |
| 2023 | $60,489 | Actual |
| 2024 | $57,215 | Actual |
| 2025 | $66,323 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $68,910 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $71,597 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Wake Forest metropolitan area, the median dietitian and nutritionist salary grew 24.7% from $53,189 (2019) to $66,323 (2025). At a 3.90% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $71,597 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,408 (34.61%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Wake Forest 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) | $46,831 – $56,787 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $56,787 – $68,910 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $68,910 – $81,650 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $81,650 – $94,824 |
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 Wake Forest
Analyzing the local job market, only nine dietitians and nutritionists are currently employed in Wake Forest, indicating a relatively small field that could provide unique opportunities for specialized roles. With a cost-of-living index at 93.6, residents enjoy a more affordable lifestyle than the national average, which can enhance their purchasing power despite salaries being below the national benchmark. Employers such as hospital clinical nutrition departments and outpatient diabetes and cardiology clinics tend to offer competitive compensation, while cash-pay private practices might generate income in line with higher-end earnings, depending on client volume and services offered. The breadth of pay disparity is driven by specialization, where areas like renal or oncology nutrition command higher wages, alongside consulting roles that allow for additional income streams. For those entering the field, actively pursuing board specialties, engaging in private practice opportunities, and broadening consulting networks can greatly maximize dietitian and nutritionist pay in Wake Forest, NC.
More salary data for Wake Forest, 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 $66,323 for dietitians and nutritionistsin the Wake Forest 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 Wake Forest 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