Dietitian and Nutritionist Salary in North Carolina: $73,133 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across North Carolina's 45 metropolitan areas, the average median dietitian and nutritionist pay sits at $73,133/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-1031. Because North Carolina sits at BEA RPP 93.6 (6% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $78,134 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Fayetteville ($77,210), Concord ($76,156), Chapel Hill ($75,254).
North Carolina Dietitian and Nutritionist Salary Range
Overall salary range in North Carolina: $40,396 (lowest entry-level) to $109,545 (highest top earner)
North Carolina vs National Average
North Carolina dietitians and nutritionists earn 7.87% less than the national median ($-6,247/year difference).
North Carolina Dietitian and Nutritionist Salary Distribution (2026)
Dietitian and Nutritionist salaries in North Carolina range from $52,915 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $93,822 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $73,133. The North Carolina median is $6,247 below the US national median of $79,380. The average hourly rate is $35.16/hr. Approximately 2,787 dietitian and nutritionists are employed across 45 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$57,683
2025 BLS Actual
$70,388
2026 Current Est.
$73,133
2019–2027 Growth
+31.7%
Salary Trajectory for Dietitians and Nutritionists in North Carolina (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.90% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $57,683 | Actual |
| 2020 | $60,076 | Actual |
| 2021 | $60,349 | Actual |
| 2022 | $62,470 | Actual |
| 2023 | $64,917 | Actual |
| 2024 | $65,407 | Actual |
| 2025 | $70,388 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $73,133 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $75,986 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the North Carolina metropolitan area, the median dietitian and nutritionist salary grew 22.0% from $57,683 (2019) to $70,388 (2025). At a 3.90% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $75,986 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,303 (31.73%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the North Carolina 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in North Carolina
Lowest Paying Cities in North Carolina
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Wilmington | $64,501 |
| Pinehurst | $64,783 |
| Leland | $64,903 |
| High Point | $65,380 |
| Carrboro | $65,876 |
Best Value Cities for Dietitians and Nutritionists in North Carolina
When adjusted for local cost of living, these North Carolina cities offer the most purchasing power for dietitians and nutritionists.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fayetteville | $80,221 | 91.978 | $87,218 |
| Concord | $79,126 | 93.6 | $84,536 |
| Chapel Hill | $78,189 | 93.6 | $83,535 |
| Gastonia | $76,192 | 93.6 | $81,402 |
| Asheville | $77,281 | 96.506 | $80,079 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in North Carolina
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $52,915 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $73,133 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $93,822 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across North Carolina metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 45 Cities in North Carolina
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fayetteville | $80,221 |
| 2 | Concord | $79,126 |
| 3 | Chapel Hill | $78,189 |
| 4 | Charlotte | $77,852 |
| 5 | Durham | $77,541 |
| 6 | Asheville | $77,281 |
| 7 | Gastonia | $76,192 |
| 8 | Winston-Salem | $72,437 |
| 9 | Raleigh | $71,909 |
| 10 | Cary | $71,567 |
| 11 | Huntersville | $70,643 |
| 12 | Kannapolis | $70,531 |
| 13 | Apex | $70,365 |
| 14 | Jacksonville | $70,238 |
| 15 | Goldsboro | $69,894 |
| 16 | Statesville | $69,313 |
| 17 | Kernersville | $69,254 |
| 18 | Matthews | $69,090 |
| 19 | Greenville | $69,000 |
| 20 | Cornelius | $68,971 |
| 21 | Sanford | $68,912 |
| 22 | Wake Forest | $68,910 |
| 23 | Morrisville | $68,878 |
| 24 | Fuquay-Varina | $68,695 |
| 25 | Salisbury | $68,683 |
| 26 | Thomasville | $68,570 |
| 27 | New Bern | $68,543 |
| 28 | Mint Hill | $68,526 |
| 29 | Burlington | $68,477 |
| 30 | Rocky Mount | $67,885 |
| 31 | Holly Springs | $67,441 |
| 32 | Mooresville | $67,230 |
| 33 | Monroe | $67,203 |
| 34 | Garner | $67,051 |
| 35 | Wilson | $67,002 |
| 36 | Hickory | $66,974 |
| 37 | Boone | $66,712 |
| 38 | Greensboro | $66,402 |
| 39 | Winston | $66,402 |
| 40 | Indian Trail | $66,134 |
| 41 | Carrboro | $65,876 |
| 42 | High Point | $65,380 |
| 43 | Leland | $64,903 |
| 44 | Pinehurst | $64,783 |
| 45 | Wilmington | $64,501 |
More North Carolina Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore dietitian and nutritionist hourly pay in North Carolina cities.
Entry Level
Starting salaries for new dietitians and nutritionists.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced dietitians and nutritionists.
Compare Cities in North Carolina
View all comparisons →Explore More Dietitian and Nutritionist Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do dietitians and nutritionists make in North Carolina in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for dietitians and nutritionists in North Carolina?
How does North Carolina dietitian and nutritionist pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level dietitian and nutritionist salary in North Carolina?
How many dietitians and nutritionists are employed in North Carolina?
Which North Carolina city offers the best value for dietitians and nutritionists?
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
Statewide 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. A 3.90% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 dietitian and nutritionist compensation across North Carolina. State averages are employment-weighted across 45 metro areas — larger metro areas with more dietitians and nutritionistscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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