Dietitian and Nutritionist Salary in Bristol, VA: $68,461 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dietitian and nutritionist in Bristol, VA earns a median $68,461/year (≈ $32.92/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1031). Once you factor in Bristol's price level (3% above national, BEA RPP 103.2), that paycheck buys what $66,338 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 13.6% below the Virginia state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Bristol, Virginia, the estimated median annual pay for dietitians and nutritionists stands at $68,461 for 2026, highlighting a notable gap when compared to the national median of $79,380. With salaries ranging from $46,829 at the 10th percentile to $87,792 at the 90th percentile, this data reflects local estimates derived from 2025 BLS state-level information and regional price variations. Although the salary levels may appear lower than the national average, the growth rate of 3.90% indicates a potential upward trend in the local job market. This pay framework presents an interesting dynamic for dietitians and nutritionists, considering emerging trends in the industry, such as the increasing demand for registered dietitians with master’s degrees, especially with the credential transition mandated by the CDR as of 2024.
About the Bristol Market
Salary estimated from Virginia average ($66,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $46,829 | $22.52 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $57,796 | $27.78 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $68,461 | $32.92 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $78,379 | $37.68 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $87,792 | $42.20 |
Median Salary Position
13.76% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Bristol
In Bristol, VA, the dietitian and nutritionist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $40,963 (2026 est.). At $68,461, the local median is 13.76% below the national median of $79,380.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Bristol: You'd be above the median
How Bristol Dietitian and Nutritionist Pay Compares
Bristol median: $68,461/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Bristol Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Average | $79,237 | -13.60% less |
| National Average | $79,380 | -13.76% less |
Dietitian and Nutritionists in Bristol, VA earn a median of $68,461 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.76% lower than the national median of $79,380 and 13.60% below the Virginia state average of $79,237.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Bristol has a cost of living 3.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Bristol, VA has a cost-of-living index of 103.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $68,461 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $66,338 — a 3.1% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$52,842
2025 BLS Actual
$65,891
2026 Current Est.
$68,461
2019–2027 Growth
+34.6%
Salary Trajectory for Dietitians and Nutritionists in Bristol (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.90% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $52,842 | Actual |
| 2020 | $54,412 | Actual |
| 2021 | $53,170 | Actual |
| 2022 | $57,310 | Actual |
| 2023 | $60,095 | Actual |
| 2024 | $65,498 | Actual |
| 2025 | $65,891 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $68,461 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $71,131 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Bristol metropolitan area, the median dietitian and nutritionist salary grew 24.7% from $52,842 (2019) to $65,891 (2025). At a 3.90% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $71,131 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,289 (34.61%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bristol 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) | $46,829 – $57,796 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $57,796 – $68,461 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $68,461 – $78,379 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $78,379 – $87,792 |
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 Bristol
Although currently just six dietitians and nutritionists are employed in Bristol, the local job market exhibits signs of growth within specialized fields such as clinical nutrition, outpatient healthcare, and corporate wellness programs. The cost of living in Bristol, with an index of 103.2, suggests that while salaries may be below national averages, local purchasing power can still manage to be reasonable. Those seeking higher compensation may find more lucrative opportunities in hospital clinical settings, particularly with specialty certifications like renal CSR or diabetes education (CDCES), as these tend to command a premium in pay. A substantial disparity in income can also be attributed to private practice settings and consulting roles, pointing to the increasing trend of cash-pay models. To strategically maximize their pay, dietitians in Bristol should consider pursuing additional board specialty credentials and exploring partnerships with corporate wellness initiatives, which can provide greater financial leverage in a competitive market.
More salary data for Bristol, VA:
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 $65,891 for dietitians and nutritionistsin the Bristol 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
Salary data for Bristol is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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