Dietitian and Nutritionist Salary in Pittsburgh, PA: $69,883 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dietitian and nutritionist in Pittsburgh, PA earns a median $69,883/year (≈ $33.60/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1031). Once you factor in Pittsburgh's price level (5% below national, BEA RPP 94.7), that paycheck buys what $73,817 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.7% above the Pennsylvania state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the median annual salary for dietitians and nutritionists in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is projected to be $69,883, which is about 11.96% lower than the national median of $79,380. This pay range varies significantly, with the bottom 10% earning as little as $45,332 and the top 90% making up to $92,128. These figures are drawn from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys, reflecting the evolving landscape for dietitian and nutritionist pay in Pittsburgh PA. With a robust job market employing approximately 760 dietitians and nutritionists, there’s a notable demand for skilled professionals in the area, particularly as healthcare and wellness trends continue to gain traction.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $45,332 | $21.80 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $58,371 | $28.06 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $69,883 | $33.60 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $81,686 | $39.27 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $92,128 | $44.29 |
Median Salary Position
11.96% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Pittsburgh
In Pittsburgh, PA, the dietitian and nutritionist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $46,796 (2026 est.). At $69,883, the local median is 11.96% below the national median of $79,380.
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At 40 hours/week in Pittsburgh: You'd be above the median
How Pittsburgh Dietitian and Nutritionist Pay Compares
Pittsburgh median: $69,883/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Pittsburgh Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania Average | $68,715 | +1.70% more |
| National Average | $79,380 | -11.96% less |
Dietitian and Nutritionists in Pittsburgh, PA earn a median of $69,883 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.96% lower than the national median of $79,380 and 1.70% above the Pennsylvania state average of $68,715.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Pittsburgh has a cost of living 5.33% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Pittsburgh, PA has a cost-of-living index of 94.671 (below the national average of 100). A dietitian and nutritionist earning $69,883 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $73,817 in an average-cost city — an effective 5.63% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$52,480
2025 BLS Actual
$67,260
2026 Current Est.
$69,883
2019–2027 Growth
+38.4%
Salary Trajectory for Dietitians and Nutritionists in Pittsburgh (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.90% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $52,480 | Actual |
| 2020 | $55,520 | Actual |
| 2021 | $61,070 | Actual |
| 2022 | $62,950 | Actual |
| 2023 | $65,260 | Actual |
| 2024 | $64,930 | Actual |
| 2025 | $67,260 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $69,883 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $72,609 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Pittsburgh metropolitan area, the median dietitian and nutritionist salary grew 28.2% from $52,480 (2019) to $67,260 (2025). At a 3.90% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $72,609 by 2027 — a total increase of $20,129 (38.36%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Pittsburgh 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) | $45,332 – $58,371 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $58,371 – $69,883 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $69,883 – $81,686 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $81,686 – $92,128 |
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 Pittsburgh
The cost of living in Pittsburgh is relatively affordable, with a cost-of-living index of 94.671, allowing dietitians and nutritionists to benefit from better purchasing power compared to urban areas with higher expenses. Employers that typically offer higher salaries include hospital clinical nutrition departments, long-term care facilities, and specialized outpatient clinics. As is common in the field, significant variations exist in pay linked to factors such as specialization—where credentials in areas like renal CSR, oncology CSO, or sports CSSD can yield higher earnings. Additionally, those working in cash-pay private practices may encounter different compensation structures, often influenced by market demand and the flexibility of service offerings. Maximizing salary in Pittsburgh involves pursuing advanced credentials, networking within specialized sectors, and considering the growing opportunities within private practice and corporate wellness initiatives.
More salary data for Pittsburgh, PA:
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 $67,260 for dietitians and nutritionistsin the Pittsburgh 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