Dietitian and Nutritionist Salary in Roanoke, VA: $72,501 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dietitian and nutritionist in Roanoke, VA earns a median $72,501/year (≈ $34.86/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1031). Once you factor in Roanoke's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.6), that paycheck buys what $77,443 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 8.5% below the Virginia state average.
Official BLS data · View source
With a median annual pay of $72,501, the dietitian and nutritionist salary in Roanoke, VA, reflects a competitive landscape for professionals in this field. The expected salary range spans from $50,381 for entry-level positions to $98,913 for those in advanced roles or specializing in niche areas. These figures, drawn from official BLS OEWS data, show that dietitians and nutritionists in Roanoke are earning less than the national median of $79,380, which is almost 8.67% higher, highlighting a local market that may offer fewer resources or opportunities compared to larger urban centers. However, the job market does see a balance with the structural options available, from cash-pay private practices offering flexibility and potentially higher returns to traditional hospital W-2 employment that may offer stability and benefits.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $50,381 | $24.22 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $61,675 | $29.65 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $72,501 | $34.86 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $80,928 | $38.91 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $98,913 | $47.56 |
Median Salary Position
8.67% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Roanoke
In Roanoke, VA, the dietitian and nutritionist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $48,532 (2026 est.). At $72,501, the local median is 8.67% below the national median of $79,380.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Roanoke: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Roanoke Dietitian and Nutritionist Pay Compares
Roanoke median: $72,501/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Roanoke Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Average | $79,237 | -8.50% less |
| National Average | $79,380 | -8.67% less |
Dietitian and Nutritionists in Roanoke, VA earn a median of $72,501 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.67% lower than the national median of $79,380 and 8.50% below the Virginia state average of $79,237.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Roanoke has a cost of living 6.38% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Roanoke, VA has a cost-of-living index of 93.618 (below the national average of 100). A dietitian and nutritionist earning $72,501 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $77,443 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.82% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$55,310
2025 BLS Actual
$69,780
2026 Current Est.
$72,501
2019–2027 Growth
+36.2%
Salary Trajectory for Dietitians and Nutritionists in Roanoke (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.90% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $55,310 | Actual |
| 2020 | $56,410 | Actual |
| 2021 | $59,320 | Actual |
| 2022 | $63,260 | Actual |
| 2023 | $68,730 | Actual |
| 2024 | $70,510 | Actual |
| 2025 | $69,780 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $72,501 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $75,329 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Roanoke metropolitan area, the median dietitian and nutritionist salary grew 26.2% from $55,310 (2019) to $69,780 (2025). At a 3.90% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $75,329 by 2027 — a total increase of $20,019 (36.19%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Roanoke 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) | $50,381 – $61,675 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $61,675 – $72,501 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $72,501 – $80,928 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $80,928 – $98,913 |
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 Roanoke
The local landscape for dietitians and nutritionists reveals a workforce of approximately 100 professionals, all navigating a cost-of-living index of 93.618, which is below the national average. This index indicates that while salaries may lag behind national figures, the relative affordability of Roanoke can stretch purchasing power further. Employers such as hospital clinical nutrition departments and specialized outpatient clinics tend to offer competitive salaries within the area. The wage disparity is often influenced by factors such as specialization—those focused on renal care or oncology typically command higher pay than generalists—and the choice between cash-pay private practices and more traditional settings like public health clinics. To maximize earnings in Roanoke, dietitians and nutritionists should consider pursuing advanced certifications, engaging in private practices, and focusing on niches that align with contemporary health trends to enhance their market value.
More salary data for Roanoke, 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 $69,780 for dietitians and nutritionistsin the Roanoke 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