Dietitian and Nutritionist Salary in Memphis, TN: $75,130 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dietitian and nutritionist in Memphis, TN earns a median $75,130/year (≈ $36.12/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1031). Once you factor in Memphis's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 92.2), that paycheck buys what $81,504 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.9% above the Tennessee state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, dietitians and nutritionists in Memphis, TN, are expected to earn a median annual salary of $75,130, which falls short of the national median of $79,380 by approximately 5.35%. Those in this field can anticipate salaries ranging from $56,511 at the lower end (10th percentile) to $98,061 at the higher end (90th percentile), reflecting the diversity in qualifications and job responsibilities. This data is derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) occupational employment and wage statistics, which sheds light on the potential for career growth in Memphis's health services sector. With a projected annual growth rate of 3.90%, the job market for dietitians and nutritionists is poised for expansion, offering numerous opportunities for both seasoned professionals and newcomers entering the field.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $56,511 | $27.17 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $64,927 | $31.21 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $75,130 | $36.12 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $87,047 | $41.85 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $98,061 | $47.15 |
Median Salary Position
5.35% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Memphis
In Memphis, TN, the dietitian and nutritionist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $41,550 (2026 est.). At $75,130, the local median is 5.35% below the national median of $79,380.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Memphis: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Memphis Dietitian and Nutritionist Pay Compares
Memphis median: $75,130/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Memphis Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee Average | $70,281 | +6.90% more |
| National Average | $79,380 | -5.35% less |
Dietitian and Nutritionists in Memphis, TN earn a median of $75,130 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.35% lower than the national median of $79,380 and 6.90% above the Tennessee state average of $70,281.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Memphis has a cost of living 7.82% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Memphis, TN has a cost-of-living index of 92.179 (below the national average of 100). A dietitian and nutritionist earning $75,130 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $81,504 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.48% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$59,130
2025 BLS Actual
$72,310
2026 Current Est.
$75,130
2019–2027 Growth
+32.0%
Salary Trajectory for Dietitians and Nutritionists in Memphis (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.90% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $59,130 | Actual |
| 2020 | $61,100 | Actual |
| 2021 | $59,370 | Actual |
| 2022 | $62,700 | Actual |
| 2023 | $63,590 | Actual |
| 2024 | $65,730 | Actual |
| 2025 | $72,310 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $75,130 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $78,060 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Memphis metropolitan area, the median dietitian and nutritionist salary grew 22.3% from $59,130 (2019) to $72,310 (2025). At a 3.90% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $78,060 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,930 (32.01%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Memphis 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) | $56,511 – $64,927 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $64,927 – $75,130 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $75,130 – $87,047 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $87,047 – $98,061 |
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 Memphis
The dietitian and nutritionist salary in Memphis reveals significant variations depending on the work environment and specialization. Currently, 210 dietitians and nutritionists are employed in the area, and the relatively low cost of living, indicated by a cost-of-living index of 92.179, allows for greater purchasing power compared to other regions. Employers that tend to offer higher pay include hospital clinical nutrition departments and outpatient clinics focused on diabetes, cardiology, and oncology. Factors contributing to the spread between lower and upper salaries often revolve around specialty areas, such as renal or oncology nutrition, and whether one works in cash-pay private practices, which have surged in popularity due to flexible care models. For those seeking to maximize their earnings, pursuing advanced certifications, focusing on specialized areas of nutrition, or developing cash-based practices can be effective strategies in Memphis.
More salary data for Memphis, TN:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can dietitians and nutritionists make $100K in Memphis?
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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 $72,310 for dietitians and nutritionistsin the Memphis 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