Dietitian and Nutritionist Salary in Wilmington, NC: $64,501 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dietitian and nutritionist in Wilmington, NC earns a median $64,501/year (≈ $31.01/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1031). Once you factor in Wilmington's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.4), that paycheck buys what $66,894 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.7% below the North Carolina state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the dietitian and nutritionist salary in Wilmington, NC is projected to be $64,501 annually, a figure notably lower than the national median of $79,380. This local salary reflects a range from $40,396 at the 10th percentile to $81,759 at the 90th percentile, indicating variances based on experience, specialty, and practice setting. These estimates are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026. As the field transitions to requiring a master’s degree by 2024, the competition may intensify, consequently affecting entry-level wages in Wilmington. This evolving educational requirement is vital for new professionals as they start their careers in a city where the demand for registered dietitian nutritionists remains steady.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $40,396 | $19.42 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $40,396 | $19.42 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $64,501 | $31.01 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $76,564 | $36.81 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $81,759 | $39.31 |
Median Salary Position
18.74% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Wilmington
In Wilmington, NC, the dietitian and nutritionist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $41,363 (2026 est.). At $64,501, the local median is 18.74% below the national median of $79,380.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Wilmington: You'd be above the median
How Wilmington Dietitian and Nutritionist Pay Compares
Wilmington median: $64,501/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Wilmington Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $69,882 | -7.70% less |
| National Average | $79,380 | -18.74% less |
Dietitian and Nutritionists in Wilmington, NC earn a median of $64,501 per year (2026 est.), which is 18.74% lower than the national median of $79,380 and 7.70% below the North Carolina state average of $69,882.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Wilmington has a cost of living 3.58% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Wilmington, NC has a cost-of-living index of 96.422 (below the national average of 100). A dietitian and nutritionist earning $64,501 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $66,894 in an average-cost city — an effective 3.71% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$64,120
2025 BLS Actual
$62,080
2026 Current Est.
$64,501
2019–2027 Growth
+4.5%
Salary Trajectory for Dietitians and Nutritionists in Wilmington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.90% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $64,120 | Actual |
| 2020 | $66,640 | Actual |
| 2021 | $60,040 | Actual |
| 2022 | $56,670 | Actual |
| 2023 | $60,260 | Actual |
| 2024 | $60,420 | Actual |
| 2025 | $62,080 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $64,501 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $67,017 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Wilmington metropolitan area, the median dietitian and nutritionist salary grew -3.2% from $64,120 (2019) to $62,080 (2025). At a 3.90% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $67,017 by 2027 — a total increase of $2,897 (4.52%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Wilmington 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) | $40,396 – $40,396 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $40,396 – $64,501 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $64,501 – $76,564 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $76,564 – $81,759 |
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 Wilmington
Looking at the local job market, Wilmington employs approximately 160 dietitians and nutritionists, a number reflective of a growing healthcare environment. The cost of living index here stands at 96.422, which is lower than the national average, helping to bolster the real purchasing power of salaries despite reduced average pay compared to national figures. Employers in clinical settings such as hospitals and skilled nursing facilities typically pay more than those in public health or school district food service programs. The pay variations stem from factors such as specialization in areas like oncology or sports nutrition, which command higher rates, alongside additional income opportunities from cash-pay private practice and consulting roles. For those wanting to maximize their earnings in Wilmington, pursuing board specialties, diversifying practice areas, and engaging in corporate wellness initiatives can lead to enhancing one's practice and compensation.
More salary data for Wilmington, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do dietitians and nutritionists make in Wilmington, NC in 2026?
Is Wilmington, NC a good place to work as a dietitian and nutritionist?
Can dietitians and nutritionists make $100K in Wilmington?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted dietitian and nutritionist salary in Wilmington?
How much does a dietitian and nutritionist make per hour in Wilmington?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in North Carolina
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 $62,080 for dietitians and nutritionistsin the Wilmington 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