Dietitian and Nutritionist Salary in Cambridge, MA: $78,944 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dietitian and nutritionist in Cambridge, MA earns a median $78,944/year (≈ $37.95/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1031). Once you factor in Cambridge's price level (9% above national, BEA RPP 108.5), that paycheck buys what $72,759 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.4% below the Massachusetts state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Cambridge, Massachusetts, the projected median annual salary for dietitians and nutritionists in 2026 is set at $78,944, reflecting a slightly lower figure compared to the national median of $79,380. The salary range for these professionals in the area stretches from $47,893 at the 10th percentile to $107,624 at the 90th percentile. These statistics, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for local economic conditions, indicate a market that is adapting to the master's-required transition starting in 2024. With 22 dietitians and nutritionists currently employed in Cambridge, the job market shows decent strength, suggesting ongoing demand for skilled professionals in this evolving field.
About the Cambridge Market
Salary estimated from Massachusetts average ($80,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $47,893 | $23.02 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $62,561 | $30.08 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $78,944 | $37.95 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $92,579 | $44.51 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $107,624 | $51.74 |
Median Salary Position
0.55% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Cambridge
In Cambridge, MA, the dietitian and nutritionist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $59,731 (2026 est.). At $78,944, the local median is 0.55% below the national median of $79,380.
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At 40 hours/week in Cambridge: You'd be above the median
How Cambridge Dietitian and Nutritionist Pay Compares
Cambridge median: $78,944/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Cambridge Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts Average | $80,065 | -1.40% less |
| National Average | $79,380 | -0.55% less |
Dietitian and Nutritionists in Cambridge, MA earn a median of $78,944 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.55% lower than the national median of $79,380 and 1.40% below the Massachusetts state average of $80,065.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Cambridge has a cost of living 8.50% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Cambridge, MA has a cost-of-living index of 108.5 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $78,944 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $72,759 — a 7.83% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$60,934
2025 BLS Actual
$75,981
2026 Current Est.
$78,944
2019–2027 Growth
+34.6%
Salary Trajectory for Dietitians and Nutritionists in Cambridge (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.90% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $60,934 | Actual |
| 2020 | $62,744 | Actual |
| 2021 | $61,312 | Actual |
| 2022 | $66,086 | Actual |
| 2023 | $69,298 | Actual |
| 2024 | $85,574 | Actual |
| 2025 | $75,981 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $78,944 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $82,023 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Cambridge metropolitan area, the median dietitian and nutritionist salary grew 24.7% from $60,934 (2019) to $75,981 (2025). At a 3.90% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $82,023 by 2027 — a total increase of $21,089 (34.61%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Cambridge 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) | $47,893 – $62,561 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $62,561 – $78,944 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $78,944 – $92,579 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $92,579 – $107,624 |
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 Cambridge
The cost of living in Cambridge, with an index of 108.5, presents both challenges and opportunities for dietitians and nutritionists working in this region. While the higher living expenses can influence take-home pay and purchasing power, avenues for increased earnings exist. Employers in clinical settings, such as hospitals and specialized outpatient facilities, typically offer higher compensation compared to school district food programs or public health clinics. The income variance within the profession is influenced by specialization—those focusing on areas like sports nutrition or diabetes care often command higher rates, especially in cash-pay private practices that are becoming more prevalent. Maximizing pay in Cambridge could involve pursuing specialized certifications or diversifying services to include consulting roles, thus leveraging the city’s dynamic health and wellness environment for greater financial rewards.
More salary data for Cambridge, 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
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 $75,981 for dietitians and nutritionistsin the Cambridge 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 Cambridge 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