Dietitian and Nutritionist Salary in Madison, WI: $78,185 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dietitian and nutritionist in Madison, WI earns a median $78,185/year (≈ $37.59/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1031). Once you factor in Madison's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.3), that paycheck buys what $80,365 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.0% above the Wisconsin state average.
Official BLS data · View source
The projected annual salary for dietitians and nutritionists in Madison, Wisconsin, is $78,185 for 2026, reflecting a competitive edge in comparison to the national median of $79,380. With a salary range spanning from $65,997 at the 10th percentile to $102,144 at the 90th percentile, the figures indicate both entry-level opportunities and significant earning potential for seasoned professionals. This data, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, showcases how the shift to requiring a master's degree for registered dietitian nutritionists as of 2024 has influenced salary dynamics. The growing demand for advanced qualifications appears to be driving compensation upward, highlighting Madison's vibrant job market and its alignment with evolving professional standards.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $65,997 | $31.73 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $68,242 | $32.81 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $78,185 | $37.59 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $85,603 | $41.15 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $102,144 | $49.10 |
Median Salary Position
1.51% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Madison
In Madison, WI, the dietitian and nutritionist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $36,147 (2026 est.). At $78,185, the local median is 1.51% below the national median of $79,380.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Madison: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Madison Dietitian and Nutritionist Pay Compares
Madison median: $78,185/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Madison Pays |
|---|---|---|
| National Average | $79,380 | -1.51% less |
Dietitian and Nutritionists in Madison, WI earn a median of $78,185 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.51% lower than the national median of $79,380.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Madison has a cost of living 2.71% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Madison, WI has a cost-of-living index of 97.287 (below the national average of 100). A dietitian and nutritionist earning $78,185 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $80,365 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.79% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$60,630
2025 BLS Actual
$75,250
2026 Current Est.
$78,185
2019–2027 Growth
+34.0%
Salary Trajectory for Dietitians and Nutritionists in Madison (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.90% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $60,630 | Actual |
| 2020 | $60,800 | Actual |
| 2021 | $62,050 | Actual |
| 2022 | $62,700 | Actual |
| 2023 | $66,630 | Actual |
| 2024 | $69,270 | Actual |
| 2025 | $75,250 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $78,185 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $81,234 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Madison metropolitan area, the median dietitian and nutritionist salary grew 24.1% from $60,630 (2019) to $75,250 (2025). At a 3.90% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $81,234 by 2027 — a total increase of $20,604 (33.98%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Madison 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) | $65,997 – $68,242 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $68,242 – $78,185 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $78,185 – $85,603 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $85,603 – $102,144 |
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 Madison
A closer look at Madison's local job market reveals that approximately 300 dietitians and nutritionists are currently employed in the area, indicating a stable demand for these professionals. The cost of living index in Madison stands at 97.287, which is slightly below the national average, suggesting that dietitian and nutritionist pay in Madison WI allows for reasonable purchasing power despite local financial demands. Among local employers, hospitals often pay the highest salaries, especially within clinical nutrition departments, followed closely by outpatient clinics specializing in diabetes and cardiology. The salary spectrum varies significantly, often driven by specialty areas such as renal nutrition or oncology, cash-pay private practices, and consulting roles in sports teams. For dietitians eager to enhance their earning potential, expanding their expertise into specialized fields and considering cash-pay models may provide lucrative opportunities in the end, reflecting broader trends in the industry and the rising preference for tailored nutrition services.
More salary data for Madison, WI:
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 $75,250 for dietitians and nutritionistsin the Madison 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