Dietitian and Nutritionist Salary in Charlottesville, VA: $76,689 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dietitian and nutritionist in Charlottesville, VA earns a median $76,689/year (≈ $36.87/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1031). Once you factor in Charlottesville's price level (1% below national, BEA RPP 99.1), that paycheck buys what $77,350 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.2% below the Virginia state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the projected median dietitian and nutritionist salary in Charlottesville, Virginia stands at $76,689, reflecting a competitive compensation structure amidst evolving educational requirements. This figure outlines a pay range from $42,267 at the 10th percentile to $95,183 at the 90th percentile, highlighting the variation in earnings based on experience and specialization. Such data is derived from the official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) surveys. The master's-required transition for registered dietitian nutritionists, effective 2024, has prompted shifts in entry-level compensation, influencing market dynamics and expectations for emerging professionals in the field. Charlottesville presents a unique opportunity for qualified individuals seeking to establish a career that not only supports diverse communities but also offers a pathway for competitive salary growth.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $42,267 | $20.32 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $61,270 | $29.46 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $76,689 | $36.87 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $83,733 | $40.26 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $95,183 | $45.76 |
Median Salary Position
3.39% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Charlottesville
In Charlottesville, VA, the dietitian and nutritionist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $52,916 (2026 est.). At $76,689, the local median is 3.39% below the national median of $79,380.
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How Charlottesville Dietitian and Nutritionist Pay Compares
Charlottesville median: $76,689/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Charlottesville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Average | $79,224 | -3.20% less |
| National Average | $79,380 | -3.39% less |
Dietitian and Nutritionists in Charlottesville, VA earn a median of $76,689 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.39% lower than the national median of $79,380 and 3.20% below the Virginia state average of $79,224.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Charlottesville has a cost of living 0.85% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Charlottesville, VA has a cost-of-living index of 99.146 (below the national average of 100). A dietitian and nutritionist earning $76,689 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $77,350 in an average-cost city — an effective 0.86% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$60,580
2025 BLS Actual
$73,810
2026 Current Est.
$76,689
2019–2027 Growth
+31.5%
Salary Trajectory for Dietitians and Nutritionists in Charlottesville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.90% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $60,580 | Actual |
| 2020 | $60,951 | Actual |
| 2021 | $52,320 | Actual |
| 2022 | $60,880 | Actual |
| 2023 | $62,280 | Actual |
| 2024 | $70,350 | Actual |
| 2025 | $73,810 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $76,689 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $79,679 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Charlottesville metropolitan area, the median dietitian and nutritionist salary grew 21.8% from $60,580 (2019) to $73,810 (2025). At a 3.90% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $79,679 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,099 (31.53%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Charlottesville 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) | $42,267 – $61,270 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $61,270 – $76,689 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $76,689 – $83,733 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $83,733 – $95,183 |
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 Charlottesville
In the local job market, approximately 40 dietitians and nutritionists are currently employed in Charlottesville, which helps maintain a stable yet evolving compensation climate. With a cost-of-living index of 99.146, professionals may find their take-home purchasing power relatively manageable, given that it is close to the national average. Among the various employers, hospital clinical nutrition departments generally offer the highest salaries, followed by long-term care facilities, outpatient clinics, and public health programs. The disparity in dietitian and nutritionist pay in Charlottesville can be attributed to factors such as specialty focus—like renal or oncology care—ownership of cash-pay private practices, and positions within the public health versus corporate wellness sectors. For professionals aiming to maximize their earnings, developing niche specializations, pursuing board certification, and exploring private practice opportunities could be effective strategies in capitalizing on the city's evolving market landscape.
More salary data for Charlottesville, 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 $73,810 for dietitians and nutritionistsin the Charlottesville 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, 6-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