For role-by-role compensation benchmarking and career income strategy, see the Profession Salary Guides hub.
For conversion formulas, overtime scenarios, and annual-pay planning, see the Hourly to Annual hub.
Registered Dietitians (RDs) in the US earn an average of $69,680 per year or $33.50 per hour. This guide breaks down RD pay by state, specialty, and work setting.
Quick Answer: Registered Dietitian Salary
| Metric | Amount |
|---|---|
| Average annual salary | $69,680 |
| Average hourly wage | $33.50 |
| Entry-level salary | $52,000 |
| Top 10% earn | $95,000+ |
| Total employed | 79,000 |
Registered Dietitian Salary by State
| State | Average Salary | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|
| California | $85,510 | $41.11 |
| Alaska | $80,200 | $38.56 |
| New Jersey | $78,650 | $37.81 |
| Hawaii | $77,890 | $37.45 |
| Connecticut | $76,420 | $36.74 |
| Massachusetts | $75,890 | $36.49 |
| New York | $74,560 | $35.85 |
| Washington | $74,120 | $35.63 |
| Maryland | $73,890 | $35.52 |
| Oregon | $72,450 | $34.83 |
| Virginia | $71,200 | $34.23 |
| Colorado | $70,890 | $34.08 |
| Texas | $65,780 | $31.63 |
| Florida | $64,230 | $30.88 |
| Georgia | $63,450 | $30.50 |
| Ohio | $62,890 | $30.24 |
| Alabama | $58,760 | $28.25 |
| Mississippi | $56,420 | $27.13 |
Registered Dietitian Salary by Specialty
| Specialty | Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Renal dietitian | $80,000 |
| Oncology dietitian | $78,000 |
| Sports dietitian | $75,000 |
| Eating disorder specialist | $74,000 |
| Diabetes educator | $72,000 |
| Pediatric dietitian | $70,000 |
| Clinical dietitian | $68,000 |
| Community/public health | $62,000 |
| School nutrition | $58,000 |
| Private practice | $50,000-$120,000+ |
Registered Dietitian Salary by Setting
| Setting | Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Outpatient care center | $78,500 |
| Hospital | $72,450 |
| Specialty practice | $71,200 |
| Government/military | $70,890 |
| Consulting/private practice | $60,000-$120,000 |
| Nursing home/SNF | $68,450 |
| Community health | $62,300 |
| School nutrition | $58,000 |
| Food industry | $75,000+ |
Registered Dietitian Salary by Experience
| Experience | Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Entry level (< 1 year) | $52,000 |
| 1-3 years | $58,000 |
| 3-5 years | $65,000 |
| 5-10 years | $72,000 |
| 10-15 years | $78,000 |
| 15+ years | $85,000+ |
| Director/manager | $90,000-$110,000 |
How to Become a Registered Dietitian
| Step | Time Required | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree in dietetics | 4 years | $40,000-$160,000 |
| Master’s degree (required 2024+) | 2 years | $20,000-$60,000 |
| ACEND-accredited internship | 6-24 months | $3,000-$25,000 |
| RD exam (CDR) | 1 day | $200 |
| State licensure | Varies | $50-$200 |
| Total | 6-8 years | $63,000-$245,000 |
Registered Dietitian Certifications
| Certification | Description | Salary Premium |
|---|---|---|
| RD (Required) | Commission on Dietetic Registration | Baseline |
| CNSC | Nutrition support | +$3,000-$5,000 |
| CSR | Renal nutrition | +$4,000-$6,000 |
| CSO | Oncology nutrition | +$3,000-$5,000 |
| CSSD | Sports dietetics | +$5,000-$8,000 |
| CDE | Diabetes educator | +$3,000-$5,000 |
Registered Dietitian Salary After Taxes
| Gross Salary | Federal Tax | FICA | State Tax (avg) | Take-Home |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $52,000 | $5,200 | $3,978 | $2,080 | $40,742 |
| $69,680 | $8,500 | $5,331 | $2,787 | $53,062 |
| $80,000 | $10,800 | $6,120 | $3,200 | $59,880 |
| $95,000 | $14,000 | $7,268 | $3,800 | $69,932 |
Use our income after taxes calculator for your exact take-home pay.
Private Practice Dietitian Income
| Client Load | Annual Revenue | Take-Home (after expenses) |
|---|---|---|
| 10 clients/week | $50,000 | $35,000 |
| 20 clients/week | $100,000 | $70,000 |
| 25+ clients/week | $125,000+ | $90,000+ |
| Group programs | $150,000+ | $100,000+ |
Registered Dietitian Job Outlook
- Job growth: 7% (2022-2032) — Faster than average
- Job openings: 5,600+ annually
- Demand: Growing due to chronic disease management
- Competition: Moderate
RD vs Nutritionist
| Factor | Registered Dietitian | Nutritionist |
|---|---|---|
| Average salary | $69,680 | $50,000-$65,000 |
| Education required | Master’s + internship | Varies (often BA) |
| Credential | RD (protected) | Not protected |
| Scope of practice | Medical nutrition therapy | General nutrition |
| Insurance reimbursement | Yes | Often no |
Related Guides
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. “Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024.” bls.gov/oes
The content on Wealthvieu is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial, tax, or investment advice. Consult a qualified professional before making financial decisions. Full disclaimer · Editorial policy