Dietitian and Nutritionist Salary in Staunton, VA: $75,938 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dietitian and nutritionist in Staunton, VA earns a median $75,938/year (≈ $36.51/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1031). Once you factor in Staunton's price level (3% above national, BEA RPP 103.2), that paycheck buys what $73,583 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.1% below the Virginia state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, dietitians and nutritionists in Staunton, Virginia are projected to earn a median annual salary of $75,938. This figure reflects the evolving educational demands in the industry, as the transition to a master's degree requirement for new registered dietitian nutritionists (RDNs) is now in effect following 2024's policy changes. The expected salary range spans from $52,272 at the lower end (P10) to $100,078 (P90) at the higher end. These estimates are based on 2025 BLS data, with adjustments made for local cost-of-living factors in Staunton, which is slightly above the national average at a cost-of-living index of 103.2. Understanding the compensation landscape is essential for those entering this profession, particularly as the demand for specialized skills increases within the local health care frameworks.
About the Staunton Market
Salary estimated from Virginia average ($66,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $52,272 | $25.13 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $64,539 | $31.02 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $75,938 | $36.51 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $88,065 | $42.34 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $100,078 | $48.12 |
Median Salary Position
4.34% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Staunton
In Staunton, VA, the dietitian and nutritionist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $47,806 (2026 est.). At $75,938, the local median is 4.34% below the national median of $79,380.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Staunton: You'd be above the median
How Staunton Dietitian and Nutritionist Pay Compares
Staunton median: $75,938/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Staunton Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Average | $79,185 | -4.10% less |
| National Average | $79,380 | -4.34% less |
Dietitian and Nutritionists in Staunton, VA earn a median of $75,938 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.34% lower than the national median of $79,380 and 4.10% below the Virginia state average of $79,185.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Staunton has a cost of living 3.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Staunton, VA has a cost-of-living index of 103.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $75,938 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $73,583 — a 3.1% reduction.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$58,614
2025 BLS Actual
$73,088
2026 Current Est.
$75,938
2019–2027 Growth
+34.6%
Salary Trajectory for Dietitians and Nutritionists in Staunton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.90% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $58,614 | Actual |
| 2020 | $60,355 | Actual |
| 2021 | $58,977 | Actual |
| 2022 | $63,569 | Actual |
| 2023 | $66,659 | Actual |
| 2024 | $65,305 | Actual |
| 2025 | $73,088 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $75,938 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $78,900 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Staunton metropolitan area, the median dietitian and nutritionist salary grew 24.7% from $58,614 (2019) to $73,088 (2025). At a 3.90% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $78,900 by 2027 — a total increase of $20,286 (34.61%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Staunton 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) | $52,272 – $64,539 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $64,539 – $75,938 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $75,938 – $88,065 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $88,065 – $100,078 |
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 Staunton
The local employment market for dietitians and nutritionists in Staunton currently comprises just five professionals, indicating a niche focus in this field. The cost of living, also a consideration for take-home pay, reflects a slightly higher expense than the national average, meaning that maximizing salary potential is more critical. Facilities that typically offer higher wages include hospital clinical nutrition departments and specialized outpatient clinics, particularly those focused on diabetes, cardiology, and oncology. The disparity in earnings often comes down to factors such as specialization, with those in private practice—especially cash-pay models—potentially earning more, albeit with varying job security. To increase earning potential, aspiring dietitians and nutritionists in Staunton should aim for credentials in high-demand specialties or consider building a private practice that taps into the growing interest in intuitive eating and health-at-every-size (HAES) approaches.
More salary data for Staunton, VA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do dietitians and nutritionists make in Staunton, VA in 2026?
Is Staunton, VA a good place to work as a dietitian and nutritionist?
Can dietitians and nutritionists make $100K in Staunton?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted dietitian and nutritionist salary in Staunton?
How much does a dietitian and nutritionist make per hour in Staunton?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Virginia
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 $73,088 for dietitians and nutritionistsin the Staunton 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 Staunton 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