Dietitian and Nutritionist Salary in Rhode Island: $75,465 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Rhode Island's 17 metropolitan areas, the average median dietitian and nutritionist pay sits at $75,465/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-1031. Because Rhode Island sits at BEA RPP 100.5 (1% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $75,090 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Pawtucket ($76,698), East Providence ($76,108), West Warwick ($75,906).
Rhode Island Dietitian and Nutritionist Salary Range
Overall salary range in Rhode Island: $48,586 (lowest entry-level) to $111,749 (highest top earner)
Rhode Island vs National Average
Rhode Island dietitians and nutritionists earn 4.93% less than the national median ($-3,915/year difference).
Rhode Island Dietitian and Nutritionist Salary Distribution (2026)
Dietitian and Nutritionist salaries in Rhode Island range from $54,339 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $104,485 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $75,465. The Rhode Island median is $3,915 below the US national median of $79,380. The average hourly rate is $36.28/hr. Approximately 679 dietitian and nutritionists are employed across 17 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$62,870
2025 BLS Actual
$72,632
2026 Current Est.
$75,465
2019–2027 Growth
+24.7%
Salary Trajectory for Dietitians and Nutritionists in Rhode Island (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.90% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $62,870 | Actual |
| 2020 | $62,540 | Actual |
| 2021 | $73,130 | Actual |
| 2022 | $67,590 | Actual |
| 2023 | $69,100 | Actual |
| 2024 | $74,829 | Actual |
| 2025 | $72,632 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $75,465 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $78,408 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Rhode Island metropolitan area, the median dietitian and nutritionist salary grew 15.5% from $62,870 (2019) to $72,632 (2025). At a 3.90% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $78,408 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,538 (24.71%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Rhode Island 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Rhode Island
Lowest Paying Cities in Rhode Island
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Central Falls | $73,607 |
| Westerly | $74,500 |
| Providence | $75,047 |
| Bristol | $75,521 |
| South Kingstown | $75,728 |
Best Value Cities for Dietitians and Nutritionists in Rhode Island
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Rhode Island cities offer the most purchasing power for dietitians and nutritionists.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pawtucket | $79,689 | 100.5 | $79,293 |
| East Providence | $79,076 | 100.5 | $78,683 |
| West Warwick | $78,866 | 100.5 | $78,474 |
| Coventry | $78,494 | 100.5 | $78,103 |
| Cranston | $78,034 | 100.5 | $77,646 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Rhode Island
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $54,339 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $75,465 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $104,485 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Rhode Island metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 17 Cities in Rhode Island
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pawtucket | $79,689 |
| 2 | East Providence | $79,076 |
| 3 | West Warwick | $78,866 |
| 4 | Coventry | $78,494 |
| 5 | Cranston | $78,034 |
| 6 | Johnston | $77,145 |
| 7 | Woonsocket | $77,114 |
| 8 | Newport | $76,693 |
| 9 | Warwick | $76,569 |
| 10 | North Providence | $76,538 |
| 11 | North Kingstown | $76,513 |
| 12 | Cumberland | $75,925 |
| 13 | South Kingstown | $75,728 |
| 14 | Bristol | $75,521 |
| 15 | Providence | $75,047 |
| 16 | Westerly | $74,500 |
| 17 | Central Falls | $73,607 |
More Rhode Island Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore dietitian and nutritionist hourly pay in Rhode Island cities.
Entry Level
Starting salaries for new dietitians and nutritionists.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced dietitians and nutritionists.
Explore More Dietitian and Nutritionist Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do dietitians and nutritionists make in Rhode Island in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for dietitians and nutritionists in Rhode Island?
How does Rhode Island dietitian and nutritionist pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level dietitian and nutritionist salary in Rhode Island?
How many dietitians and nutritionists are employed in Rhode Island?
Which Rhode Island city offers the best value for dietitians and nutritionists?
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
Statewide 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. A 3.90% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 dietitian and nutritionist compensation across Rhode Island. State averages are employment-weighted across 17 metro areas — larger metro areas with more dietitians and nutritionistscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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