Dietitian and Nutritionist Salary in Wausau, WI: $76,616 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dietitian and nutritionist in Wausau, WI earns a median $76,616/year (≈ $36.83/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1031). Once you factor in Wausau's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 92.7), that paycheck buys what $82,693 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.0% below the Wisconsin state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Wausau, Wisconsin, dietitians and nutritionists enjoy a median annual salary of $76,616, which is slightly below the national median of $79,380. This figure is derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys, highlighting a salary range that extends from $63,639 at the 10th percentile to $86,092 at the 90th percentile. Professionals in the field face decisions between establishing a cash-pay private practice and securing W-2 positions within hospitals or other healthcare settings. As the job market evolves, registered dietitian nutritionists (RDNs) in this region are increasingly presented with diverse opportunities, reflecting a growing demand for specialized nutritional services.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $63,639 | $30.60 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $67,254 | $32.33 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $76,616 | $36.83 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $80,720 | $38.81 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $86,092 | $41.39 |
Median Salary Position
3.48% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Wausau
In Wausau, WI, the dietitian and nutritionist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $22,453 (2026 est.). At $76,616, the local median is 3.48% below the national median of $79,380.
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At 40 hours/week in Wausau: You'd be above the median
How Wausau Dietitian and Nutritionist Pay Compares
Wausau median: $76,616/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Wausau Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin Average | $78,179 | -2.00% less |
| National Average | $79,380 | -3.48% less |
Dietitian and Nutritionists in Wausau, WI earn a median of $76,616 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.48% lower than the national median of $79,380 and 2.00% below the Wisconsin state average of $78,179.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Wausau has a cost of living 7.35% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Wausau, WI has a cost-of-living index of 92.651 (below the national average of 100). A dietitian and nutritionist earning $76,616 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $82,693 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.93% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$57,520
2025 BLS Actual
$73,740
2026 Current Est.
$76,616
2019–2027 Growth
+38.4%
Salary Trajectory for Dietitians and Nutritionists in Wausau (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.90% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $57,520 | Actual |
| 2020 | $57,750 | Actual |
| 2021 | $60,110 | Actual |
| 2022 | $61,750 | Actual |
| 2023 | $65,540 | Actual |
| 2024 | $65,550 | Actual |
| 2025 | $73,740 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $76,616 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $79,604 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Wausau metropolitan area, the median dietitian and nutritionist salary grew 28.2% from $57,520 (2019) to $73,740 (2025). At a 3.90% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $79,604 by 2027 — a total increase of $22,084 (38.39%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Wausau 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) | $63,639 – $67,254 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $67,254 – $76,616 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $76,616 – $80,720 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $80,720 – $86,092 |
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 Wausau
The local market currently employs approximately 30 dietitians and nutritionists, a number indicative of Wausau's relatively compact healthcare sector. Coupled with a cost-of-living index of 92.651, income potential should be, ideally, evaluated against the local purchasing power, signifying that salaries here may stretch further than in areas with higher living costs. Among potential employers, long-term care facilities and outpatient clinics could offer the highest pay, particularly for those specializing in fields like cardiac care or diabetes management. The variation in pay primarily stems from specialty areas and the type of practice, with cash-pay private practices often providing opportunities for higher earnings. For those seeking to maximize their pay, strategically selecting specialty areas, pursuing certifications, or considering consulting roles with sports teams can enhance earning potential in the evolving dietitian and nutritionist pay landscape in Wausau, WI.
More salary data for Wausau, 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 $73,740 for dietitians and nutritionistsin the Wausau 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