Dietitian and Nutritionist Salary in Ruston, LA: $71,817 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dietitian and nutritionist in Ruston, LA earns a median $71,817/year (≈ $34.53/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1031). Once you factor in Ruston's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.3), that paycheck buys what $79,532 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.8% below the Louisiana state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Dietitians and nutritionists in Ruston, Louisiana, command a median annual compensation of $71,817, indicating a competitive position within the broader job market. The projected salary range spans from $49,125 at the 10th percentile to $92,269 at the 90th percentile, revealing the potential for significant earnings based on experience and specialization. These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for local cost of living, suggest that professionals in this field might see varied compensation reflective of their credentials and the demand for specific skill sets. In Ruston, the inclusion of board certifications, such as those from the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR), contributes positively to salary prospects, creating opportunities for dietitians and nutritionists to enhance their earning potential through niche expertise.
About the Ruston Market
Salary estimated from Louisiana average ($56,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $49,125 | $23.62 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $60,629 | $29.14 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $71,817 | $34.53 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $82,114 | $39.48 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $92,269 | $44.37 |
Median Salary Position
9.53% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Ruston
In Ruston, LA, the dietitian and nutritionist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $43,144 (2026 est.). At $71,817, the local median is 9.53% below the national median of $79,380.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Ruston: You'd be above the median
How Ruston Dietitian and Nutritionist Pay Compares
Ruston median: $71,817/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Ruston Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Louisiana Average | $74,654 | -3.80% less |
| National Average | $79,380 | -9.53% less |
Dietitian and Nutritionists in Ruston, LA earn a median of $71,817 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.53% lower than the national median of $79,380 and 3.80% below the Louisiana state average of $74,654.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Ruston has a cost of living 9.70% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Ruston, LA has a cost-of-living index of 90.3 (below the national average of 100). A dietitian and nutritionist earning $71,817 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $79,532 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.74% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$55,433
2025 BLS Actual
$69,121
2026 Current Est.
$71,817
2019–2027 Growth
+34.6%
Salary Trajectory for Dietitians and Nutritionists in Ruston (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.90% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $55,433 | Actual |
| 2020 | $57,079 | Actual |
| 2021 | $55,776 | Actual |
| 2022 | $60,119 | Actual |
| 2023 | $63,041 | Actual |
| 2024 | $48,627 | Actual |
| 2025 | $69,121 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $71,817 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $74,618 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Ruston metropolitan area, the median dietitian and nutritionist salary grew 24.7% from $55,433 (2019) to $69,121 (2025). At a 3.90% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $74,618 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,185 (34.61%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Ruston 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) | $49,125 – $60,629 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $60,629 – $71,817 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $71,817 – $82,114 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $82,114 – $92,269 |
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 Ruston
Despite having only four registered dietitians and nutritionists employed in the area, the market in Ruston, LA, presents a unique dynamic when considering the cost of living, which sits at an index of 90.3. This lower than average cost of living can enhance take-home pay and purchasing power, making the profession an appealing option for those entering the field. Employers in Ruston, particularly hospital clinical nutrition departments and outpatient clinics, tend to offer competitive pay, especially for those with specialized certifications. The disparity between lower and higher earnings can largely be attributed to factors such as specialty areas (e.g., renal nutrition or diabetes management), ownership of private practice, and the choice between public health and corporate wellness settings. To optimize earnings in this local job market, dietitians and nutritionists should consider pursuing additional certifications, leveraging community connections, and exploring opportunities within cash-pay practices and sports team consulting.
More salary data for Ruston, LA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do dietitians and nutritionists make in Ruston, LA in 2026?
Is Ruston, LA a good place to work as a dietitian and nutritionist?
Can dietitians and nutritionists make $100K in Ruston?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted dietitian and nutritionist salary in Ruston?
How much does a dietitian and nutritionist make per hour in Ruston?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Louisiana
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 $69,121 for dietitians and nutritionistsin the Ruston 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 Ruston 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