Dietitian and Nutritionist Salary in Richmond, VA: $81,977 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dietitian and nutritionist in Richmond, VA earns a median $81,977/year (≈ $39.41/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1031). Once you factor in Richmond's price level (2% below national, BEA RPP 97.9), that paycheck buys what $83,771 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.5% above the Virginia state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Richmond, Virginia offers a compelling salary outlook for dietitians and nutritionists, with a projected median annual salary of $81,977 in 2026. This is a notable increase compared to national figures, indicating a competitive environment where local professionals can earn well above their counterparts elsewhere. The salary range for these positions in Richmond spans from $46,558 at the P10 level to $102,591 at the P90, highlighting significant earning potential depending on expertise and experience. These figures stem from analyses based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026. With a burgeoning healthcare landscape, Richmond provides an attractive job market for prospective dietitians and nutritionists, especially for those with specialized credentials.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $46,558 | $22.38 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $64,324 | $30.92 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $81,977 | $39.41 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $89,957 | $43.25 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $102,591 | $49.32 |
Median Salary Position
3.27% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Richmond
In Richmond, VA, the dietitian and nutritionist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $56,033 (2026 est.). At $81,977, the local median is 3.27% above the national median of $79,380.
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At 40 hours/week in Richmond: You'd be above the median
How Richmond Dietitian and Nutritionist Pay Compares
Richmond median: $81,977/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Richmond Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Average | $79,205 | +3.50% more |
| National Average | $79,380 | +3.27% more |
Dietitian and Nutritionists in Richmond, VA earn a median of $81,977 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.27% higher than the national median of $79,380 and 3.50% above the Virginia state average of $79,205.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Richmond has a cost of living 2.14% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Richmond, VA has a cost-of-living index of 97.858 (below the national average of 100). A dietitian and nutritionist earning $81,977 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $83,771 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.19% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$64,360
2025 BLS Actual
$78,900
2026 Current Est.
$81,977
2019–2027 Growth
+32.3%
Salary Trajectory for Dietitians and Nutritionists in Richmond (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.90% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $64,360 | Actual |
| 2020 | $65,240 | Actual |
| 2021 | $61,010 | Actual |
| 2022 | $64,180 | Actual |
| 2023 | $71,870 | Actual |
| 2024 | $76,190 | Actual |
| 2025 | $78,900 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $81,977 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $85,174 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Richmond metropolitan area, the median dietitian and nutritionist salary grew 22.6% from $64,360 (2019) to $78,900 (2025). At a 3.90% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $85,174 by 2027 — a total increase of $20,814 (32.34%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Richmond 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) | $46,558 – $64,324 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $64,324 – $81,977 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $81,977 – $89,957 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $89,957 – $102,591 |
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 Richmond
The local job market sees around 250 dietitians and nutritionists actively employed, creating a stable demand for skilled professionals. Accompanying this are more favorable living conditions, reflected in a cost-of-living index of 97.858, which suggests Richmond is slightly below the national average. This allows for greater purchasing power for dietitians and nutritionists compared to areas with higher living costs. Employers such as hospital clinical nutrition departments and outpatient clinics often pay the most, while specialty fields like sports nutrition and diabetes education are known to offer higher compensation rates. The disparity in salaries can be influenced by factors like board certifications, clinical experience, and settings like private practice versus corporate wellness, providing a range of opportunities to maximize earnings. To increase pay in this Richmond, VA market, pursuing additional credentials, specializing in high-demand areas, and considering cash-pay practice models could yield significant benefits.
More salary data for Richmond, 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 $78,900 for dietitians and nutritionistsin the Richmond 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