Entry-Level Dietitian and Nutritionist Salary in Hattiesburg, MS: $44,096 (2026)
Quick Answer:New dietitians and nutritionists entering the Hattiesburg, MS job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $44,096 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-1031, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Hattiesburg's local price level (BEA RPP 85.7 — 14% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $51,454 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($64,908) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
New graduates entering the field of dietetics in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, can expect a starting dietitian and nutritionist salary of around $44,096 in 2026. This figure is considerably below the city’s median annual salary of $64,908; however, early-career professionals can anticipate gradual salary growth as they gain experience. Within their first three to five years, earnings are likely to rise toward the projected P25 salary of $54,797, with continued prospects for advancement. Given the local job market and the expected growth rate of 3.90%, Hattiesburg presents a reasonable opportunity for new graduates to launch their careers, especially considering the city's cost of living index of 85.7, which indicates a lower-than-average expense compared to the national standard.
About the Hattiesburg Market
Salary estimated from Mississippi average ($54,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Hattiesburg
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 Hattiesburg
Entry-level dietitian and nutritionists in Hattiesburg, MS typically start between $44,096 and $54,797 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $40,840 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $64,908 — 18.23% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average nutrition program cost in Mississippi of $42,000 represents just 95.25% of the starting dietitian and nutritionist pay ($44,096/year) in Hattiesburg. 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 Hattiesburg
- 1Research the Hattiesburg market: entry-level dietitian and nutritionist pay ranges from $44,096 to $54,797, 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 MS often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Hattiesburg, 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 Hattiesburg for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Hattiesburg's below-average 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 Hattiesburg is $40,840 ( 92.62%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $44,096, experienced hygienists can earn up to $84,936.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$31,860
2025 BLS Actual
$42,441
2026 Current Est.
$44,096
2019–2027 Growth
+43.8%
Salary Trajectory for Dietitians and Nutritionists in Hattiesburg (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.90% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $31,860 | Actual |
| 2020 | $34,444 | Actual |
| 2021 | $23,780 | Actual |
| 2022 | $38,380 | Actual |
| 2023 | $43,490 | Actual |
| 2024 | $43,500 | Actual |
| 2025 | $42,441 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $44,096 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $45,816 | Projected |
Entry-level dietitian and nutritionist compensation (10th percentile) in Hattiesburg, MS grew 33.2% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $31,860 in 2019 to $42,441 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $45,816. New graduates entering the Hattiesburg job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Hattiesburg 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 Hattiesburg
For emerging dietitians and nutritionists, a variety of employers in Hattiesburg are willing to hire new grads, with hospital clinical nutrition departments leading the charge in providing rotations across various medical settings such as med-surg and outpatient care. Facilities offering long-term care commonly recruit through food service companies like Sodexo and Aramark, while public health programs like WIC may provide loan repayment plans as incentives for professionals in shortage areas. To enhance starting pay in Mississippi, new dietitians should focus on obtaining a bachelor's degree accompanied by an ACEND-accredited Dietetic Internship, along with the required CDR Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) credential. With the recent shift to requiring a master's degree for RDN credentialing as of 2024, new entrants should also consider pursuing additional certifications such as the Certified Specialist in Pediatric Nutrition (CSP) or the Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist (CDCES) to enhance their marketability and earning potential. In the first few years, salary growth can be seen as these credentials and experiences build, allowing new RDNs to provide valuable services in the evolving landscape of dietetics.
More salary data for Hattiesburg, MS:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the starting salary for dietitians and nutritionists in Hattiesburg in 2026?
How fast do dietitian and nutritionist salaries grow in Hattiesburg?
Is nutrition school worth it in Hattiesburg?
What do new dietitians and nutritionists make right out of school in Hattiesburg?
How do I become a dietitian and nutritionist in Mississippi?
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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 Hattiesburg. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Hattiesburg 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