Dietitian and Nutritionist Salary in Scranton, PA: $66,704 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dietitian and nutritionist in Scranton, PA earns a median $66,704/year (≈ $32.07/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1031). Once you factor in Scranton's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.6), that paycheck buys what $71,298 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.9% below the Pennsylvania state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Scranton, Pennsylvania, the projected median annual salary for dietitians and nutritionists is set at $66,704 for 2026, reflecting an adjustment in compensation trends largely influenced by the master's-required transition that commenced in 2024. With a salary range spanning from $45,061 at the 10th percentile to $87,380 at the 90th percentile, this figure is indicative of the local market's response to educational shifts and the demand for advanced expertise. Based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, this salary is approximately 15.97% lower than the national median of $79,380, positioning Scranton's compensation below the national average. This dynamic landscape highlights how the job market in Scranton is adapting to new educational requirements while still accommodating a diverse range of employment opportunities.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $45,061 | $21.66 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $49,986 | $24.03 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $66,704 | $32.07 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $79,463 | $38.20 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $87,380 | $42.01 |
Median Salary Position
15.97% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Scranton
In Scranton, PA, the dietitian and nutritionist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $42,319 (2026 est.). At $66,704, the local median is 15.97% below the national median of $79,380.
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At 40 hours/week in Scranton: You'd be above the median
How Scranton Dietitian and Nutritionist Pay Compares
Scranton median: $66,704/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Scranton Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania Average | $68,696 | -2.90% less |
| National Average | $79,380 | -15.97% less |
Dietitian and Nutritionists in Scranton, PA earn a median of $66,704 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.97% lower than the national median of $79,380 and 2.90% below the Pennsylvania state average of $68,696.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Scranton has a cost of living 6.44% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Scranton, PA has a cost-of-living index of 93.556 (below the national average of 100). A dietitian and nutritionist earning $66,704 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $71,298 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.89% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$62,080
2025 BLS Actual
$64,200
2026 Current Est.
$66,704
2019–2027 Growth
+11.6%
Salary Trajectory for Dietitians and Nutritionists in Scranton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.90% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $62,080 | Actual |
| 2020 | $65,720 | Actual |
| 2021 | $58,920 | Actual |
| 2022 | $59,960 | Actual |
| 2023 | $58,110 | Actual |
| 2024 | $64,580 | Actual |
| 2025 | $64,200 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $66,704 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $69,305 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Scranton metropolitan area, the median dietitian and nutritionist salary grew 3.4% from $62,080 (2019) to $64,200 (2025). At a 3.90% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $69,305 by 2027 — a total increase of $7,225 (11.64%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Scranton 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) | $45,061 – $49,986 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $49,986 – $66,704 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $66,704 – $79,463 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $79,463 – $87,380 |
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 Scranton
The Scranton area employs around 190 dietitians and nutritionists, illustrating a stable demand within the industry. With a cost-of-living index of 93.556, living expenses are below the national average, which can enhance the purchasing power of these professionals despite the lower salary averages. Among various employers, clinical nutrition departments in hospitals tend to offer the highest salaries, followed closely by specialized clinics focusing on outpatient services like diabetes and cardiology. The salary disparity between entry-level and seasoned professionals can be attributed to factors such as specialization in areas like renal or sports nutrition, involvement in cash-pay private practice, and the choice between public health roles versus corporate wellness programs. For those seeking to maximize pay in Scranton, pursuing additional certifications and developing niche specialties can open up more lucrative opportunities in the evolving landscape of dietetics.
More salary data for Scranton, 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 $64,200 for dietitians and nutritionistsin the Scranton 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