Dietitian and Nutritionist Salary in Lacey, WA: $78,522 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dietitian and nutritionist in Lacey, WA earns a median $78,522/year (≈ $37.75/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1031). Once you factor in Lacey's price level (7% above national, BEA RPP 107.4), that paycheck buys what $73,112 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.2% below the Washington state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Dietitians and nutritionists in Lacey, Washington, can expect a median annual salary of $78,522 in 2026, slightly below the national average of $79,380 for the same year. The salary range for these professionals spans from $52,771 at the 10th percentile to $110,075 at the 90th percentile, reflecting a diverse job market that can cater to different levels of expertise and specialization. These figures are derived from state-level estimates based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional cost of living conditions. In Lacey, job opportunities frequently arise in hospital settings or long-term care facilities, but many dietitians also choose to pursue cash-pay private practice, allowing for potentially higher earnings but with inherent risks and fluctuations in income.
About the Lacey Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($80,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $52,771 | $25.37 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $66,042 | $31.75 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $78,522 | $37.75 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $89,723 | $43.14 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $110,075 | $52.92 |
Median Salary Position
1.08% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lacey
In Lacey, WA, the dietitian and nutritionist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $57,304 (2026 est.). At $78,522, the local median is 1.08% below the national median of $79,380.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Lacey: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Lacey Dietitian and Nutritionist Pay Compares
Lacey median: $78,522/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lacey Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Average | $81,965 | -4.20% less |
| National Average | $79,380 | -1.08% less |
Dietitian and Nutritionists in Lacey, WA earn a median of $78,522 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.08% lower than the national median of $79,380 and 4.20% below the Washington state average of $81,965.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lacey has a cost of living 7.40% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Lacey, WA has a cost-of-living index of 107.4 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $78,522 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $73,112 — a 6.89% 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
$60,608
2025 BLS Actual
$75,575
2026 Current Est.
$78,522
2019–2027 Growth
+34.6%
Salary Trajectory for Dietitians and Nutritionists in Lacey (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.90% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $60,608 | Actual |
| 2020 | $62,409 | Actual |
| 2021 | $60,984 | Actual |
| 2022 | $65,732 | Actual |
| 2023 | $68,928 | Actual |
| 2024 | $84,363 | Actual |
| 2025 | $75,575 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $78,522 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $81,585 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lacey metropolitan area, the median dietitian and nutritionist salary grew 24.7% from $60,608 (2019) to $75,575 (2025). At a 3.90% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $81,585 by 2027 — a total increase of $20,977 (34.61%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lacey 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) | $52,771 – $66,042 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $66,042 – $78,522 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $78,522 – $89,723 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $89,723 – $110,075 |
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 Lacey
With only 12 dietitians and nutritionists currently employed in Lacey, the local job market for these professionals is relatively compact, which can impact salary negotiations and employment conditions. The area's cost of living index stands at 107.4, indicating higher-than-average living expenses that affect take-home pay. Employers that tend to offer the most competitive salaries include hospital clinical nutrition departments and specialized outpatient clinics focusing on areas such as diabetes or oncology. The discrepancy between lower and higher wages can often be attributed to specialized skills, such as renal nutrition or board certifications, along with the choice between public health roles and corporate wellness programs. To maximize pay in this specific Lacey market, aspiring dietitians should focus on developing niche specialties, consider cash-pay practice opportunities, and continuously seek additional certifications to enhance their professional value.
More salary data for Lacey, WA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do dietitians and nutritionists make in Lacey, WA in 2026?
Is Lacey, WA a good place to work as a dietitian and nutritionist?
Can dietitians and nutritionists make $100K in Lacey?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted dietitian and nutritionist salary in Lacey?
How much does a dietitian and nutritionist make per hour in Lacey?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Washington
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 $75,575 for dietitians and nutritionistsin the Lacey 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 Lacey 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