Dietitian and Nutritionist Salary in Columbus, MS: $63,970 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dietitian and nutritionist in Columbus, MS earns a median $63,970/year (≈ $30.75/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1031). Once you factor in Columbus's price level (14% below national, BEA RPP 85.7), that paycheck buys what $74,644 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.0% below the Mississippi state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Columbus, Mississippi, dietitians and nutritionists can expect a median annual salary of $63,970, placing them significantly below the national median of $79,380. The salary range for professionals in this field spans from $41,292 at the lower end (P10) to $79,311 at the higher end (P90), with local estimates derived from 2025 BLS data projected to 2026. This compensation framework reveals a distinctly competitive scenario for those holding specialty board certifications, enabling the potential for premium pay based on expertise. Such differentiation can be vital within a job market where 6 dietitians and nutritionists are currently employed, indicating a relatively specialized workforce in Columbus.
About the Columbus Market
Salary estimated from Mississippi average ($54,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $41,292 | $19.86 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $56,171 | $27.00 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $63,970 | $30.75 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $71,553 | $34.40 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $79,311 | $38.13 |
Median Salary Position
19.41% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Columbus
In Columbus, MS, the dietitian and nutritionist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $38,019 (2026 est.). At $63,970, the local median is 19.41% below the national median of $79,380.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Columbus: You'd be above the median
How Columbus Dietitian and Nutritionist Pay Compares
Columbus median: $63,970/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Columbus Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Mississippi Average | $68,053 | -6.00% less |
| National Average | $79,380 | -19.41% less |
Dietitian and Nutritionists in Columbus, MS earn a median of $63,970 per year (2026 est.), which is 19.41% lower than the national median of $79,380 and 6.00% below the Mississippi state average of $68,053.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Columbus has a cost of living 14.30% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Columbus, MS has a cost-of-living index of 85.7 (below the national average of 100). A dietitian and nutritionist earning $63,970 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $74,644 in an average-cost city — an effective 16.69% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$49,376
2025 BLS Actual
$61,569
2026 Current Est.
$63,970
2019–2027 Growth
+34.6%
Salary Trajectory for Dietitians and Nutritionists in Columbus (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.90% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $49,376 | Actual |
| 2020 | $50,843 | Actual |
| 2021 | $49,682 | Actual |
| 2022 | $53,551 | Actual |
| 2023 | $56,154 | Actual |
| 2024 | $43,517 | Actual |
| 2025 | $61,569 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $63,970 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $66,465 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Columbus metropolitan area, the median dietitian and nutritionist salary grew 24.7% from $49,376 (2019) to $61,569 (2025). At a 3.90% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $66,465 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,089 (34.61%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Columbus 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) | $41,292 – $56,171 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $56,171 – $63,970 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $63,970 – $71,553 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $71,553 – $79,311 |
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 Columbus
Despite the lower-than-national salary figures, the cost of living in Columbus, with an index of 85.7, affords dietitians and nutritionists a greater purchasing power than what figures might suggest when divorced from economic context. Those looking for the most lucrative opportunities might find potential in the hospital clinical nutrition departments and outpatient clinics focusing on diabetes or cardiology, where specialized skills command higher pay. The disparities between low and high earnings in Columbus can often correlate with credentials such as CSR or CSSD, cash-pay private practice, and specialty stipends, which are becoming increasingly relevant as the public health landscape evolves. For professionals aiming to maximize their income, seeking cash-pay arrangements can be particularly advantageous, especially in an emerging market that values intuitive eating and HAES models outside traditional insurance frameworks.
More salary data for Columbus, MS:
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 $61,569 for dietitians and nutritionistsin the Columbus 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 Columbus 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