Dietitian and Nutritionist Salary in Clarksville, TN: $71,608 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dietitian and nutritionist in Clarksville, TN earns a median $71,608/year (≈ $34.43/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1031). Once you factor in Clarksville's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 90.9), that paycheck buys what $78,736 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.9% above the Tennessee state average.
Official BLS data · View source
As the dietitian and nutritionist profession undergoes a significant transition towards requiring a master's degree, the salary landscape in Clarksville, TN, is evolving. The projected median annual salary for 2026 stands at $71,608, reflecting a competitive yet slightly lower tier compared to the national median of $79,380. Salaries in this field span a broad range, from the lowest 10% earning about $38,557 to the top 90% making around $95,131 annually. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data projected to 2026, highlight not only the impact of educational requirements but also suggest a robust local demand for dietitians and nutritionists in a market where qualifications increasingly dictate compensation.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38,557 | $18.54 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $55,638 | $26.75 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $71,608 | $34.43 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $89,624 | $43.09 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $95,131 | $45.74 |
Median Salary Position
9.79% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Clarksville
In Clarksville, TN, the dietitian and nutritionist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $56,574 (2026 est.). At $71,608, the local median is 9.79% below the national median of $79,380.
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At 40 hours/week in Clarksville: You'd be above the median
How Clarksville Dietitian and Nutritionist Pay Compares
Clarksville median: $71,608/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Clarksville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee Average | $70,273 | +1.90% more |
| National Average | $79,380 | -9.79% less |
Dietitian and Nutritionists in Clarksville, TN earn a median of $71,608 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.79% lower than the national median of $79,380 and 1.90% above the Tennessee state average of $70,273.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Clarksville has a cost of living 9.05% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Clarksville, TN has a cost-of-living index of 90.947 (below the national average of 100). A dietitian and nutritionist earning $71,608 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $78,736 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.95% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$31,690
2025 BLS Actual
$68,920
2026 Current Est.
$71,608
2019–2027 Growth
+134.8%
Salary Trajectory for Dietitians and Nutritionists in Clarksville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.90% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $31,690 | Actual |
| 2020 | $50,330 | Actual |
| 2021 | $59,370 | Actual |
| 2022 | $57,140 | Actual |
| 2023 | $60,600 | Actual |
| 2024 | $62,820 | Actual |
| 2025 | $68,920 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $71,608 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $74,401 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Clarksville metropolitan area, the median dietitian and nutritionist salary grew 117.5% from $31,690 (2019) to $68,920 (2025). At a 3.90% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $74,401 by 2027 — a total increase of $42,711 (134.78%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Clarksville 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) | $38,557 – $55,638 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $55,638 – $71,608 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $71,608 – $89,624 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $89,624 – $95,131 |
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 Clarksville
In Clarksville, about 30 dietitians and nutritionists are actively employed, illustrating a concentrated local job market. With a cost-of-living index of 90.947, professionals here may find their purchasing power somewhat improved compared to national averages. Employers in sectors such as hospital clinical nutrition, outpatient clinics, and public health programs typically offer higher salaries, while education-related roles tend to pay less. A notable salary disparity exists based on specialization; those focusing on areas like renal care or sports nutrition can command significantly higher pay than those in general clinical roles. Furthermore, the growth of cash-pay practices is reshaping the income potential for many, providing opportunities to invest in private practice or consulting roles. In Clarksville, targeting specialized services and exploring non-traditional settings can be effective strategies for maximizing dietitian and nutritionist pay.
More salary data for Clarksville, TN:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do dietitians and nutritionists make in Clarksville, TN in 2026?
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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 $68,920 for dietitians and nutritionistsin the Clarksville 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