Dietitian and Nutritionist Salary in Lafayette, CO: $76,339 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dietitian and nutritionist in Lafayette, CO earns a median $76,339/year (≈ $36.70/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1031). Once you factor in Lafayette's price level (5% above national, BEA RPP 105.0), that paycheck buys what $72,704 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.2% below the Colorado state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
The dietitian and nutritionist salary in Lafayette, CO, is projected to be a median annual income of $76,339 in 2026, showing a slight decrease compared to the national figure of $79,380. Salaries in this field range from $47,420 at the 10th percentile to $102,170 at the 90th percentile, indicating a diverse earning potential tailored to experience and specialty. These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data, reflect local economic conditions and the cost of living in Lafayette, which is slightly above the national average, contributing to a competitive salary structure. As the landscape for dietitians evolves, especially with cash-pay private practice options gaining traction, professionals in Lafayette need to strategize their career paths carefully to maximize earnings.
About the Lafayette Market
Salary estimated from Colorado average ($72,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $47,420 | $22.80 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $65,743 | $31.61 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $76,339 | $36.70 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $86,387 | $41.53 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $102,170 | $49.12 |
Median Salary Position
3.83% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lafayette
In Lafayette, CO, the dietitian and nutritionist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $54,750 (2026 est.). At $76,339, the local median is 3.83% below the national median of $79,380.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Lafayette: You'd be above the median
How Lafayette Dietitian and Nutritionist Pay Compares
Lafayette median: $76,339/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lafayette Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Colorado Average | $78,863 | -3.20% less |
| National Average | $79,380 | -3.83% less |
Dietitian and Nutritionists in Lafayette, CO earn a median of $76,339 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.83% lower than the national median of $79,380 and 3.20% below the Colorado state average of $78,863.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lafayette has a cost of living 5.00% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Lafayette, CO has a cost-of-living index of 105 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $76,339 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $72,704 — a 4.76% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$58,923
2025 BLS Actual
$73,474
2026 Current Est.
$76,339
2019–2027 Growth
+34.6%
Salary Trajectory for Dietitians and Nutritionists in Lafayette (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.90% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $58,923 | Actual |
| 2020 | $60,674 | Actual |
| 2021 | $59,289 | Actual |
| 2022 | $63,905 | Actual |
| 2023 | $67,011 | Actual |
| 2024 | $73,165 | Actual |
| 2025 | $73,474 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $76,339 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $79,317 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lafayette metropolitan area, the median dietitian and nutritionist salary grew 24.7% from $58,923 (2019) to $73,474 (2025). At a 3.90% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $79,317 by 2027 — a total increase of $20,394 (34.61%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lafayette 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) | $47,420 – $65,743 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $65,743 – $76,339 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $76,339 – $86,387 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $86,387 – $102,170 |
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 Lafayette
In Lafayette, there are currently seven dietitians and nutritionists employed, suggesting a niche market but also the potential for growth. With a cost-of-living index of 105, professionals may find that their take-home pay stretches further than in areas with a higher cost of living. Employers offering the highest pay typically include long-term care and skilled nursing facilities, along with outpatient clinics focused on diabetes, cardiology, and oncology. The disparity in salaries here can often be attributed to specialties such as renal or oncology certification, private practice ownership, and consulting opportunities with sports teams. To maximize income potential, aspiring dietitians and nutritionists in Lafayette should consider furthering their education, such as obtaining board specialty certifications, and explore various settings like corporate wellness programs or cash-pay private practice, particularly as the demand for knowledgeable professionals in the community continues to rise.
More salary data for Lafayette, CO:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do dietitians and nutritionists make in Lafayette, CO in 2026?
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Can dietitians and nutritionists make $100K in Lafayette?
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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 $73,474 for dietitians and nutritionistsin the Lafayette 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
Salary data for Lafayette 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