Dietitian and Nutritionist Salary in Federal Way, WA: $81,248 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dietitian and nutritionist in Federal Way, WA earns a median $81,248/year (≈ $39.07/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1031). Once you factor in Federal Way's price level (7% above national, BEA RPP 107.4), that paycheck buys what $75,650 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.9% below the Washington state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Dietitians and nutritionists in Federal Way, WA can expect a median annual salary of $81,248 in 2026, reflecting a strong performance in this profession compared to the national median of $79,380. The salary range for this role locally spans from $52,257 at the 10th percentile to $111,599 at the 90th percentile, highlighting significant earning potential based on experience and specialization. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data and adjusted for local living costs, further emphasize the choice many professionals face between cash-pay private practice and traditional hospital employment paths. The competitive salary spectrum suggests a healthy job market for dietitians and nutritionists in Federal Way.
About the Federal Way Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($80,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $52,257 | $25.12 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $66,634 | $32.03 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $81,248 | $39.07 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $95,777 | $46.05 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $111,599 | $53.65 |
Median Salary Position
2.35% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Federal Way
In Federal Way, WA, the dietitian and nutritionist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $59,342 (2026 est.). At $81,248, the local median is 2.35% above the national median of $79,380.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Federal Way: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Federal Way Dietitian and Nutritionist Pay Compares
Federal Way median: $81,248/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Federal Way Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Average | $81,986 | -0.90% less |
| National Average | $79,380 | +2.35% more |
Dietitian and Nutritionists in Federal Way, WA earn a median of $81,248 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.35% higher than the national median of $79,380 and 0.90% below the Washington state average of $81,986.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Federal Way has a cost of living 7.40% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Federal Way, WA has a cost-of-living index of 107.4 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $81,248 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $75,650 — a 6.89% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$62,712
2025 BLS Actual
$78,198
2026 Current Est.
$81,248
2019–2027 Growth
+34.6%
Salary Trajectory for Dietitians and Nutritionists in Federal Way (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.90% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $62,712 | Actual |
| 2020 | $64,575 | Actual |
| 2021 | $63,101 | Actual |
| 2022 | $68,014 | Actual |
| 2023 | $71,320 | Actual |
| 2024 | $85,144 | Actual |
| 2025 | $78,198 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $81,248 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $84,416 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Federal Way metropolitan area, the median dietitian and nutritionist salary grew 24.7% from $62,712 (2019) to $78,198 (2025). At a 3.90% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $84,416 by 2027 — a total increase of $21,704 (34.61%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Federal Way 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) | $52,257 – $66,634 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $66,634 – $81,248 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $81,248 – $95,777 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $95,777 – $111,599 |
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 Federal Way
The local job market features 22 dietitians and nutritionists, which indicates a focused professional community. Given the cost-of-living index at 107.4, the actual purchasing power of those salaries may be somewhat lower than what the figures suggest. Employers that tend to offer the most attractive compensation include hospital clinical nutrition departments and specialty facilities, such as long-term care and outpatient diabetes clinics. The disparity in pay levels can often be traced back to various factors such as areas of specialty—like renal or oncology nutrition—and the growing trend of cash-pay practice ownership. With the transition to master's-level requirements for RDN credentialing by 2024, those looking to maximize their pay should consider developing specialties or pursuing consulting opportunities in sports performance or corporate wellness programs tailored to the distinct needs within Federal Way.
More salary data for Federal Way, WA:
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 $78,198 for dietitians and nutritionistsin the Federal Way 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 Federal Way 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