Dietitian and Nutritionist Salary in Cleveland, OH: $74,018 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dietitian and nutritionist in Cleveland, OH earns a median $74,018/year (≈ $35.59/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1031). Once you factor in Cleveland's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.9), that paycheck buys what $78,807 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.6% above the Ohio state average.
Official BLS data · View source

In 2026, a dietitian and nutritionist in Cleveland, OH, can expect a median annual salary of $74,018, reflecting a competitive option within the healthcare sector when compared to the national median of $79,380. The salary range for these professionals spans from $38,277 at the 10th percentile to $98,061 at the 90th percentile, according to projections based on 2025 BLS OEWS data. Many registered dietitian nutritionists are choosing between cash-pay private practices and traditional hospital employment, impacting their overall income potential. Given this duality in structural choice, those who thrive in private practice may tap into a more lucrative market as consumer interest in specialized dietary services continues to grow.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38,277 | $18.40 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $64,314 | $30.92 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $74,018 | $35.59 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $81,655 | $39.25 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $98,061 | $47.15 |
Median Salary Position
6.75% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Cleveland
In Cleveland, OH, the dietitian and nutritionist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $59,784 (2026 est.). At $74,018, the local median is 6.75% below the national median of $79,380.
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At 40 hours/week in Cleveland: You'd be above the median
How Cleveland Dietitian and Nutritionist Pay Compares
Cleveland median: $74,018/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Cleveland Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Ohio Average | $73,577 | +0.60% more |
| National Average | $79,380 | -6.75% less |
Dietitian and Nutritionists in Cleveland, OH earn a median of $74,018 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.75% lower than the national median of $79,380 and 0.60% above the Ohio state average of $73,577.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Cleveland has a cost of living 6.08% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Cleveland, OH has a cost-of-living index of 93.923 (below the national average of 100). A dietitian and nutritionist earning $74,018 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $78,807 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.47% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$58,230
2025 BLS Actual
$71,240
2026 Current Est.
$74,018
2019–2027 Growth
+32.1%
Salary Trajectory for Dietitians and Nutritionists in Cleveland (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.90% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $58,230 | Actual |
| 2020 | $61,680 | Actual |
| 2021 | $62,560 | Actual |
| 2022 | $64,010 | Actual |
| 2023 | $65,700 | Actual |
| 2024 | $72,610 | Actual |
| 2025 | $71,240 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $74,018 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $76,905 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Cleveland metropolitan area, the median dietitian and nutritionist salary grew 22.3% from $58,230 (2019) to $71,240 (2025). At a 3.90% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $76,905 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,675 (32.07%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Cleveland 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) | $38,277 – $64,314 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $64,314 – $74,018 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $74,018 – $81,655 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $81,655 – $98,061 |
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 Cleveland
The job market for dietitians and nutritionists in Cleveland is robust, with approximately 710 professionals employed across various settings. The area’s cost-of-living index stands at 93.923, which is below the national average and suggests a favorable situation for take-home income, making the dietitian and nutritionist pay in Cleveland OH relatively attractive. Positions in hospital clinical nutrition departments and outpatient diabetes clinics often offer the highest salaries, while private practice and corporate wellness programs cater to specialized niches that can further elevate income. Factors such as advanced specialty certifications and consulting opportunities with sports teams can significantly drive earnings. For those in this competitive marketplace, enhancing qualifications through credentials from the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) or tapping into cash-pay models can be effective strategies for maximizing earning potential amidst evolving healthcare landscapes.
More salary data for Cleveland, OH:
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 $71,240 for dietitians and nutritionistsin the Cleveland 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