Dietitian and Nutritionist Salary in Kearney, NE: $69,943 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dietitian and nutritionist in Kearney, NE earns a median $69,943/year (≈ $33.62/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1031). Once you factor in Kearney's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.5), that paycheck buys what $76,440 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.7% below the Nebraska state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, those pursuing a career as a dietitian and nutritionist in Kearney, Nebraska can expect a median annual salary of $69,943, which is notably lower than the national median of $79,380. Salary ranges for this profession in the area are projected to span from $48,348 at the lower end (10th percentile) to $92,936 at the higher end (90th percentile). These projections are based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional price variations. As the profession transitions to requiring a master's degree post-2024, entry-level salaries may see adjustments that impact the initial compensation for new registered dietitian nutritionists (RDNs) in this market. This paradigm shift could impact not only education paths but also the overall dynamics of the dietitian and nutritionist salary in Kearney.
About the Kearney Market
Salary estimated from Nebraska average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $48,348 | $23.24 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $59,811 | $28.76 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $69,943 | $33.62 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $81,364 | $39.12 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $92,936 | $44.68 |
Median Salary Position
11.89% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Kearney
In Kearney, NE, the dietitian and nutritionist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $44,588 (2026 est.). At $69,943, the local median is 11.89% below the national median of $79,380.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Kearney: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Kearney Dietitian and Nutritionist Pay Compares
Kearney median: $69,943/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Kearney Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Nebraska Average | $72,631 | -3.70% less |
| National Average | $79,380 | -11.89% less |
Dietitian and Nutritionists in Kearney, NE earn a median of $69,943 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.89% lower than the national median of $79,380 and 3.70% below the Nebraska state average of $72,631.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Kearney has a cost of living 8.50% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Kearney, NE has a cost-of-living index of 91.5 (below the national average of 100). A dietitian and nutritionist earning $69,943 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $76,440 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.29% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$53,987
2025 BLS Actual
$67,318
2026 Current Est.
$69,943
2019–2027 Growth
+34.6%
Salary Trajectory for Dietitians and Nutritionists in Kearney (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.90% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $53,987 | Actual |
| 2020 | $55,590 | Actual |
| 2021 | $54,321 | Actual |
| 2022 | $58,551 | Actual |
| 2023 | $61,397 | Actual |
| 2024 | $54,630 | Actual |
| 2025 | $67,318 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $69,943 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $72,671 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Kearney metropolitan area, the median dietitian and nutritionist salary grew 24.7% from $53,987 (2019) to $67,318 (2025). At a 3.90% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $72,671 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,684 (34.61%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Kearney 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) | $48,348 – $59,811 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $59,811 – $69,943 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $69,943 – $81,364 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $81,364 – $92,936 |
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 Kearney
The job market for dietitians and nutritionists in Kearney currently employs nine professionals, reflecting a relatively stable demand despite the shift towards higher educational requirements. The cost of living index in Kearney stands at 91.5, slightly below the national average, indicating that the purchasing power may be more favorable for local professionals. Among local employers, hospital clinical nutrition departments generally offer the highest salaries, while outpatient clinics and public health settings may be more moderate. Notably, the disparity in compensation is influenced by specialization, with those in high-demand areas like renal nutrition or sports consulting often commanding higher rates. For practitioners aiming to maximize their pay in Kearney, strategies could include pursuing board specialties, engaging in cash-pay private practice, or leveraging unique skills in the rapidly growing corporate wellness sector.
More salary data for Kearney, NE:
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 $67,318 for dietitians and nutritionistsin the Kearney 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 Kearney 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