Dietitian and Nutritionist Salary in Salem, OR: $92,700 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dietitian and nutritionist in Salem, OR earns a median $92,700/year (≈ $44.57/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1031). Once you factor in Salem's price level (4% above national, BEA RPP 103.6), that paycheck buys what $89,436 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 13.8% above the Oregon state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the salary landscape for dietitians and nutritionists in Salem, Oregon, reflects a healthy compensation structure, with a projected median annual salary of $92,700. This is notably higher than the national median of $79,380, providing a strong incentive for professionals within this field. Local salaries range from $75,109 at the low end (10th percentile) to a top-notch $107,703 (90th percentile), indicating a well-distributed earnings potential. These figures, derived from Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys, highlight an area where cash-pay private practice versus hospital employment can significantly impact earnings. As more RDNs explore cash-pay models for client-centric care, those working in outpatient clinics or private practices often see enhanced compensation opportunities.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $75,109 | $36.11 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $83,162 | $39.98 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $92,700 | $44.57 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $107,578 | $51.72 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $107,703 | $51.78 |
Median Salary Position
16.78% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Salem
In Salem, OR, the dietitian and nutritionist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $32,594 (2026 est.). At $92,700, the local median is 16.78% above the national median of $79,380.
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At 40 hours/week in Salem: You'd be above the median
How Salem Dietitian and Nutritionist Pay Compares
Salem median: $92,700/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Salem Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Oregon Average | $81,458 | +13.80% more |
| National Average | $79,380 | +16.78% more |
Dietitian and Nutritionists in Salem, OR earn a median of $92,700 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.78% higher than the national median of $79,380 and 13.80% above the Oregon state average of $81,458.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Salem has a cost of living 3.65% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Salem, OR has a cost-of-living index of 103.649 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $92,700 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $89,436 — a 3.52% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$66,190
2025 BLS Actual
$89,220
2026 Current Est.
$92,700
2019–2027 Growth
+45.5%
Salary Trajectory for Dietitians and Nutritionists in Salem (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.90% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $66,190 | Actual |
| 2020 | $71,270 | Actual |
| 2021 | $76,600 | Actual |
| 2022 | $75,270 | Actual |
| 2023 | $85,470 | Actual |
| 2024 | $93,620 | Actual |
| 2025 | $89,220 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $92,700 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $96,315 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Salem metropolitan area, the median dietitian and nutritionist salary grew 34.8% from $66,190 (2019) to $89,220 (2025). At a 3.90% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $96,315 by 2027 — a total increase of $30,125 (45.51%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Salem 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) | $75,109 – $83,162 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $83,162 – $92,700 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $92,700 – $107,578 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $107,578 – $107,703 |
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 Salem
Salem's job market for dietitians and nutritionists currently supports around 90 professionals, illustrating a solid demand for these expertise areas. The cost-of-living index stands at 103.649, slightly above the national average, which can affect take-home purchasing power for local residents. Among the highest-paying employers in Salem, clinical nutrition departments within hospitals and specialized outpatient clinics for diabetes and cardiology reportedly offer competitive salaries. The variation in salaries can be attributed to factors such as specialization—those with expertise in renal care or oncology are likely to earn more than generalists. For aspiring dietitians and nutritionists in Salem, pursuing further credentials, such as board certifications, or entering the cash-pay sector could prove to be lucrative strategies for maximizing earnings in this evolving market.
More salary data for Salem, OR:
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 $89,220 for dietitians and nutritionistsin the Salem 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