Dietitian and Nutritionist Salary in Thornton, CO: $80,119 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dietitian and nutritionist in Thornton, CO earns a median $80,119/year (≈ $38.52/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1031). Once you factor in Thornton's price level (5% above national, BEA RPP 105.0), that paycheck buys what $76,304 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.6% above the Colorado state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Thornton, Colorado, the dietitian and nutritionist salary is projected to reach a median of $80,119 in 2026, slightly above the national median of $79,380. Salaries for professionals in this field range widely, from $48,324 at the lower end (P10) to $113,841 for those at the upper echelon (P90). These projections are based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional cost variations. This growing financial framework highlights the competitive nature of the job market, particularly as more dietitians and nutritionists are opting for cash-pay private practices over traditional hospital roles. As this trend continues, Thornton is expected to see an increasing demand for nutrition professionals who can adapt to these evolving workplace dynamics.
About the Thornton Market
Salary estimated from Colorado average ($72,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $48,324 | $23.23 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $63,279 | $30.42 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $80,119 | $38.52 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $96,948 | $46.61 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $113,841 | $54.73 |
Median Salary Position
0.93% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Thornton
In Thornton, CO, the dietitian and nutritionist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $65,517 (2026 est.). At $80,119, the local median is 0.93% above the national median of $79,380.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Thornton: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Thornton Dietitian and Nutritionist Pay Compares
Thornton median: $80,119/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Thornton Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Colorado Average | $78,858 | +1.60% more |
| National Average | $79,380 | +0.93% more |
Dietitian and Nutritionists in Thornton, CO earn a median of $80,119 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.93% higher than the national median of $79,380 and 1.60% above the Colorado state average of $78,858.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Thornton has a cost of living 5.00% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Thornton, CO has a cost-of-living index of 105 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $80,119 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $76,304 — a 4.76% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$61,841
2025 BLS Actual
$77,112
2026 Current Est.
$80,119
2019–2027 Growth
+34.6%
Salary Trajectory for Dietitians and Nutritionists in Thornton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.90% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $61,841 | Actual |
| 2020 | $63,678 | Actual |
| 2021 | $62,225 | Actual |
| 2022 | $67,069 | Actual |
| 2023 | $70,329 | Actual |
| 2024 | $76,787 | Actual |
| 2025 | $77,112 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $80,119 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $83,244 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Thornton metropolitan area, the median dietitian and nutritionist salary grew 24.7% from $61,841 (2019) to $77,112 (2025). At a 3.90% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $83,244 by 2027 — a total increase of $21,403 (34.61%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Thornton 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) | $48,324 – $63,279 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $63,279 – $80,119 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $80,119 – $96,948 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $96,948 – $113,841 |
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 Thornton
With 34 dietitians and nutritionists currently employed in Thornton, the local job market shows promising strength amidst rising living costs, reflected in a cost-of-living index of 105. This means that while salaries are relatively robust, purchasing power may not keep pace with higher expenses. Notably, employers that tend to offer the best compensation include hospital clinical nutrition departments and specialized outpatient clinics focused on diabetes and cardiology. The variation in pay is driven by several factors, including specialization in areas such as renal or oncology care, ownership of cash-pay practices, and consulting roles with sports teams. To maximize pay in Thornton, professionals might consider pursuing board certifications in specialty fields, seeking opportunities within corporate wellness programs, or opting for self-employment in the growing cash-pay sector as they transition to the master's-required credentialing standards.
More salary data for Thornton, CO:
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 $77,112 for dietitians and nutritionistsin the Thornton 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 Thornton 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