Entry-Level Dietitian and Nutritionist Salary in Woburn, MA: $51,490 (2026)
Quick Answer:New dietitians and nutritionists entering the Woburn, MA job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $51,490 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-1031, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Woburn's local price level (BEA RPP 108.5 — 9% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $47,456 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($76,190) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
New graduates embarking on a career as a dietitian or nutritionist in Woburn, Massachusetts, can anticipate a starting salary around $51,490 in 2026. This figure represents the entry-level threshold in the field, significantly lower than the city median annual salary of $76,190. Aspiring professionals should have realistic expectations as they navigate their early careers—the salary typically rises over time, with potential earnings reaching $62,354 at the 25th percentile within a few years. Given the projected median annual growth rate of 3.90% for this profession, Woburn appears to be a favorable market for fresh graduates looking to gain meaningful experience and advance their careers in nutrition.
About the Woburn Market
Salary estimated from Massachusetts average ($80,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Woburn
New Graduate
Early Career
Mid Career
Experienced
Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Woburn
Entry-level dietitian and nutritionists in Woburn, MA typically start between $51,490 and $62,354 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $47,985 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $76,190 — 4.02% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average nutrition program cost in Massachusetts of $120,000 represents just 233.05% of the starting dietitian and nutritionist pay ($51,490/year) in Woburn. Most graduates begin earning back their investment from day one, though actual ROI varies based on living expenses, loan interest, and the 2-year opportunity cost of schooling.
Program cost estimates based on ACEND-accredited dietetics program data and university tuition surveys. Tuition-only averages; actual costs vary significantly by institution type (public in-state, public out-of-state, private) and degree level (bachelor's vs. master's).
DN Salary Negotiation Tips for New Graduates in Woburn
- 1Research the Woburn market: entry-level dietitian and nutritionist pay ranges from $51,490 to $62,354, so aim for at least the 25th percentile if you have strong credentials.
- 2Highlight any additional certifications or specialty training within the nutrition field — employers in MA often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Woburn, benefits like health insurance, continuing-education allowances, and schedule flexibility can add 20-30% to your effective compensation.
- 4Consider starting with a larger hospital system or multi-site employer in Woburn for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Woburn's moderate cost of living means your starting salary goes further here compared to many larger metro areas.
Dietitian and Nutritionist Compensation Range
The dietitian and nutritionist wage spread in Woburn is $47,985 ( 93.19%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $51,490, experienced hygienists can earn up to $99,475.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$39,260
2025 BLS Actual
$49,557
2026 Current Est.
$51,490
2019–2027 Growth
+36.3%
Salary Trajectory for Dietitians and Nutritionists in Woburn (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.90% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $39,260 | Actual |
| 2020 | $40,219 | Actual |
| 2021 | $42,935 | Actual |
| 2022 | $44,560 | Actual |
| 2023 | $45,337 | Actual |
| 2024 | $57,399 | Actual |
| 2025 | $49,557 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $51,490 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $53,498 | Projected |
Entry-level dietitian and nutritionist compensation (10th percentile) in Woburn, MA grew 26.2% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $39,260 in 2019 to $49,557 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $53,498. New graduates entering the Woburn job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Woburn 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.
Starting Your nutrition Career in Woburn
Various employers in Woburn actively seek new graduates, particularly hospitals with clinical nutrition departments that often provide rotations across multiple settings such as med-surg and outpatient areas. Long-term care facilities may recruit through major food service contractors like Sodexo and Aramark, while public health WIC programs sometimes offer loan repayment incentives for professionals serving in shortage areas. For serious career advancement, obtaining the CDR Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) credential, along with a state license post-completion of an ACEND-accredited Dietetic Internship, becomes essential, especially as a master’s degree is mandatory for new RDNs starting in 2024. In light of the evolving education requirements, new grads focusing on diverse practice models like cash-pay private practices and intuitive eating may discover unique growth opportunities beyond traditional insurance pathways, ultimately setting realistic expectations for significant salary increases in their first few years in the workforce.
More salary data for Woburn, MA:
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
Entry-level 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 10th percentile (entry-level) is used as the starting salary benchmark for new nutrition graduates. A 3.90% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 entry-level compensation in Woburn. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Woburn 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