Dietitian and Nutritionist Salary in Knoxville, TN: $68,917 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dietitian and nutritionist in Knoxville, TN earns a median $68,917/year (≈ $33.13/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1031). Once you factor in Knoxville's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 92.6), that paycheck buys what $74,449 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.9% below the Tennessee state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the dietitian and nutritionist salary in Knoxville, TN, is projected to reach a median annual figure of $68,917. This reflects the adjustments made following the master's-required transition which went into effect in 2024, influencing entry-level compensation dynamics. The salary range for this profession spans from $49,716 at the 10th percentile to $92,772 at the 90th percentile, providing a broad spectrum of earning potential driven by factors such as experience and specialization. These figures are derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, highlighting how local job market conditions may affect pay. With 130 dietitians and nutritionists currently employed in the area, the Knoxville job market presents opportunities to earn a competitive salary while addressing community health needs.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $49,716 | $23.90 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $55,597 | $26.73 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $68,917 | $33.13 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $76,990 | $37.02 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $92,772 | $44.60 |
Median Salary Position
13.18% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Knoxville
In Knoxville, TN, the dietitian and nutritionist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $43,056 (2026 est.). At $68,917, the local median is 13.18% below the national median of $79,380.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Knoxville: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Knoxville Dietitian and Nutritionist Pay Compares
Knoxville median: $68,917/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Knoxville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee Average | $70,252 | -1.90% less |
| National Average | $79,380 | -13.18% less |
Dietitian and Nutritionists in Knoxville, TN earn a median of $68,917 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.18% lower than the national median of $79,380 and 1.90% below the Tennessee state average of $70,252.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Knoxville has a cost of living 7.43% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Knoxville, TN has a cost-of-living index of 92.569 (below the national average of 100). A dietitian and nutritionist earning $68,917 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $74,449 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.03% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$55,020
2025 BLS Actual
$66,330
2026 Current Est.
$68,917
2019–2027 Growth
+30.1%
Salary Trajectory for Dietitians and Nutritionists in Knoxville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.90% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $55,020 | Actual |
| 2020 | $53,790 | Actual |
| 2021 | $50,020 | Actual |
| 2022 | $53,670 | Actual |
| 2023 | $59,620 | Actual |
| 2024 | $64,000 | Actual |
| 2025 | $66,330 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $68,917 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $71,605 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Knoxville metropolitan area, the median dietitian and nutritionist salary grew 20.6% from $55,020 (2019) to $66,330 (2025). At a 3.90% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $71,605 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,585 (30.14%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Knoxville 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) | $49,716 – $55,597 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $55,597 – $68,917 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $68,917 – $76,990 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $76,990 – $92,772 |
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 Knoxville
Evaluating the dietitian and nutritionist pay in Knoxville TN, specific factors influence earnings potential significantly. The cost of living index in Knoxville stands at 92.569, suggesting that the lifestyle expenses are below the national average, thereby enhancing the purchasing power of local salaries. Employers across various sectors contribute differently to compensation packages, with hospital clinical nutrition departments and outpatient specialty clinics typically offering higher pay compared to school district food service programs or public health settings. Specialization in areas such as oncology, renal nutrition, or ownership of cash-pay private practices can lead to increased earnings, as can consulting roles with sports teams or securing board specialty stipends. With healthcare trends shifting and a burgeoning interest in cash-pay practice models, dietitians and nutritionists in Knoxville can maximize their earning potential by focusing on niche services and leveraging their specialized skills to cater to specific market demands.
More salary data for Knoxville, TN:
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 $66,330 for dietitians and nutritionistsin the Knoxville 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