Dietitian and Nutritionist Salary in Albuquerque, NM: $78,538 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dietitian and nutritionist in Albuquerque, NM earns a median $78,538/year (≈ $37.76/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1031). Once you factor in Albuquerque's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 95.5), that paycheck buys what $82,199 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.8% above the New Mexico state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Projected for 2026, the dietitian and nutritionist salary in Albuquerque is estimated at $78,538, positioning it slightly below the national median of $79,380. Salary figures indicate a wide range, with entry-level professionals earning approximately $56,200 and high earners reaching up to $94,352. These numbers arise from rigorous analysis based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, with a robust growth rate of 3.90% anticipated over the next five years. This growth reflects the increasing demand for dietitians and nutritionists in Albuquerque, driven by an expanding awareness of health and nutrition among the population.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $56,200 | $27.02 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $69,675 | $33.50 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $78,538 | $37.76 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $81,821 | $39.34 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $94,352 | $45.36 |
Median Salary Position
1.06% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Albuquerque
In Albuquerque, NM, the dietitian and nutritionist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $38,152 (2026 est.). At $78,538, the local median is 1.06% below the national median of $79,380.
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At 40 hours/week in Albuquerque: You'd be above the median
How Albuquerque Dietitian and Nutritionist Pay Compares
Albuquerque median: $78,538/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Albuquerque Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Mexico Average | $74,941 | +4.80% more |
| National Average | $79,380 | -1.06% less |
Dietitian and Nutritionists in Albuquerque, NM earn a median of $78,538 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.06% lower than the national median of $79,380 and 4.80% above the New Mexico state average of $74,941.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Albuquerque has a cost of living 4.45% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Albuquerque, NM has a cost-of-living index of 95.546 (below the national average of 100). A dietitian and nutritionist earning $78,538 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $82,199 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.66% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$60,000
2025 BLS Actual
$75,590
2026 Current Est.
$78,538
2019–2027 Growth
+36.0%
Salary Trajectory for Dietitians and Nutritionists in Albuquerque (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.90% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $60,000 | Actual |
| 2020 | $60,670 | Actual |
| 2021 | $62,880 | Actual |
| 2022 | $65,710 | Actual |
| 2023 | $63,920 | Actual |
| 2024 | $71,040 | Actual |
| 2025 | $75,590 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $78,538 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $81,601 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Albuquerque metropolitan area, the median dietitian and nutritionist salary grew 26.0% from $60,000 (2019) to $75,590 (2025). At a 3.90% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $81,601 by 2027 — a total increase of $21,601 (36.00%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Albuquerque 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) | $56,200 – $69,675 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $69,675 – $78,538 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $78,538 – $81,821 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $81,821 – $94,352 |
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 Albuquerque
In Albuquerque, there are 250 employed dietitians and nutritionists, suggesting a solid local job market for this profession. The cost of living index in the area is set at 95.546, indicating that the purchasing power can be more favorable compared to national averages. Healthcare settings, such as hospital clinical nutrition departments and outpatient facilities focusing on diabetes and cardiology, tend to offer better pay. High salaries often stem from specialization, such as renal CSR or oncology CSO certifications, and involvement in cash-pay private practices, which have become more prevalent. To maximize earnings in Albuquerque NM, pursuing board certifications, considering private practice options, and staying attuned to emerging trends in corporate wellness can enhance one's pay potential significantly.
More salary data for Albuquerque, NM:
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 $75,590 for dietitians and nutritionistsin the Albuquerque 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
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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