Dietitian and Nutritionist Salary in Austin, TX: $75,982 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dietitian and nutritionist in Austin, TX earns a median $75,982/year (≈ $36.53/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1031). Once you factor in Austin's price level (2% below national, BEA RPP 98.1), that paycheck buys what $77,480 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.1% above the Texas state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Austin, Texas, the compensation landscape for dietitians and nutritionists is characterized by a robust median annual salary of $75,982 in 2026, which positions it slightly below the national median of $79,380. Salary figures indicate a broad range, with entry-level positions starting at $54,828 and experienced professionals earning as much as $109,220. This salary information, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys and projected into 2026, reflects the choices available within the profession, particularly between cash-pay private practice and traditional hospital employment. The demand for RDNs is strong, aligning with the growth of cash-pay models and intuitive eating approaches that appeal to a varied clientele seeking personalized nutrition guidance in this vibrant city.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $54,828 | $26.36 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $65,041 | $31.26 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $75,982 | $36.53 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $94,341 | $45.35 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $109,220 | $52.51 |
Median Salary Position
4.28% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Austin
In Austin, TX, the dietitian and nutritionist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $54,392 (2026 est.). At $75,982, the local median is 4.28% below the national median of $79,380.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Austin: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Austin Dietitian and Nutritionist Pay Compares
Austin median: $75,982/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Austin Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $73,697 | +3.10% more |
| National Average | $79,380 | -4.28% less |
Dietitian and Nutritionists in Austin, TX earn a median of $75,982 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.28% lower than the national median of $79,380 and 3.10% above the Texas state average of $73,697.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Austin has a cost of living 1.93% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Austin, TX has a cost-of-living index of 98.066 (below the national average of 100). A dietitian and nutritionist earning $75,982 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $77,480 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.97% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$57,130
2025 BLS Actual
$73,130
2026 Current Est.
$75,982
2019–2027 Growth
+38.2%
Salary Trajectory for Dietitians and Nutritionists in Austin (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.90% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $57,130 | Actual |
| 2020 | $44,000 | Actual |
| 2021 | $61,490 | Actual |
| 2022 | $58,100 | Actual |
| 2023 | $65,150 | Actual |
| 2024 | $66,880 | Actual |
| 2025 | $73,130 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $75,982 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $78,945 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Austin metropolitan area, the median dietitian and nutritionist salary grew 28.0% from $57,130 (2019) to $73,130 (2025). At a 3.90% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $78,945 by 2027 — a total increase of $21,815 (38.18%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Austin 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) | $54,828 – $65,041 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $65,041 – $75,982 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $75,982 – $94,341 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $94,341 – $109,220 |
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 Austin
Austin's job market hosts approximately 370 dietitians and nutritionists, establishing a competitive environment that can impact salary outcomes. Despite a cost-of-living index of 98.066, which is below the national average, the take-home pay for these professionals can be quite favorable, particularly in higher-paying sectors. Facilities such as hospital clinical nutrition departments and outpatient specialty clinics, such as diabetes and cardiology, generally offer the most lucrative compensation. Factors like specialty certifications, private practice ownership, and consulting roles with sports teams can considerably influence income variation. For those seeking to maximize their dietitian and nutritionist pay in Austin TX, pursuing board certifications, expanding into sports performance nutrition, or embracing emerging business models like cash-pay practices can provide a significant edge in this evolving marketplace.
More salary data for Austin, TX:
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 $73,130 for dietitians and nutritionistsin the Austin 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