Dietitians and Nutritionists Salary
The median pay for a dietitians and nutritionists in Baton Rouge, LA is $70,940/year ($34.1/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $52K at the entry level to $88K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 90.78), which stretches that salary to about $78,145 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,204/month, or 25.8% of estimated take-home pay.
So what does $71K get you in Baton Rouge?
Groceries, utilities, transportation, and healthcare scaled from national averages by Baton Rouge’s Regional Price Parity (90.78). Rent from HUD Fair Market Rents. Taxes estimated for single filer, standard deduction. * Healthcare is the employee-paid share only (premiums + out-of-pocket). Actual costs vary by coverage type: employer-sponsored, ACA marketplace, or uninsured.
About dietitians and nutritionists
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What this looks like in Baton Rouge
Dietitians and nutritionists pay in Baton Rouge tracks closely to the national median, $71K locally vs. $76K nationwide, a 7% difference. Rent runs $1,204/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 25.9% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Regional Price Parity sits at 90.78 (national = 100), meaning everyday costs run about 9% cheaper here. Your dollar stretches further than the headline salary suggests. Pay and costs are both near average, leaving limited margin for savings at the median wage.
Compared to nearby metros
Median pay for dietitians and nutritionists in metros near Baton Rouge, adjusted for local cost of living.
| Metro | Median pay | COL-adjusted |
|---|---|---|
| New Orleans-Metairie | $73K | $79K |
| Lafayette | $63K | $72K |
| Shreveport-Bossier City | $73K | $86K |
| Monroe | $73K | $88K |
COL-adjusted = median salary ÷ (BEA Regional Price Parity ÷ 100). Expresses purchasing power in national-average dollars.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Baton Rouge, LA
Entry-level dietitians and nutritionists (10th percentile) start around $52K. Mid-career wages sit at $71K. Top earners bring in $88K or more, a $37K spread from bottom to top.
Dietitians and Nutritionists pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
View Dietitians and Nutritionists salary in all states
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | $99K | +29% | 8,720 |
| West Virginia | $89K | +17% | 520 |
| Alaska | $88K | +15% | 130 |
| New Jersey | $84K | +11% | 2,870 |
| Washington | $84K | +10% | 1,450 |
| Oregon | $84K | +10% | 700 |
| New York | $82K | +8% | 5,330 |
| District of Columbia | $82K | +8% | 270 |
| Hawaii | $82K | +7% | 370 |
| Connecticut | $81K | +5% | 860 |
| Delaware | $78K | +2% | 290 |
| Maryland | $78K | +2% | 1,430 |
| Minnesota | $78K | +1% | 1,180 |
| Vermont | $77K | +1% | 160 |
| Virginia | $77K | +1% | 1,510 |
| Massachusetts | $77K | +0% | 2,860 |
| Florida | $76K | -0% | 4,370 |
| Colorado | $76K | -1% | 1,640 |
| Wisconsin | $75K | -2% | 1,330 |
| New Mexico | $75K | -2% | 500 |
| Texas | $74K | -3% | 5,320 |
| Illinois | $74K | -4% | 2,840 |
| Georgia | $73K | -4% | 2,020 |
| Iowa | $73K | -5% | 630 |
| New Hampshire | $72K | -6% | 440 |
| Idaho | $72K | -6% | 420 |
| Montana | $72K | -6% | 230 |
| Rhode Island | $71K | -7% | 360 |
| Louisiana | $70K | -8% | 800 |
| Nebraska | $70K | -8% | 570 |
| North Dakota | $70K | -8% | 270 |
| South Carolina | $70K | -8% | 950 |
| Oklahoma | $70K | -9% | 1,230 |
| Ohio | $70K | -9% | 3,060 |
| Kentucky | $70K | -9% | 1,040 |
| Nevada | $69K | -10% | 560 |
| Tennessee | $68K | -11% | 1,230 |
| North Carolina | $68K | -12% | 2,780 |
| Pennsylvania | $67K | -12% | 4,270 |
| Michigan | $67K | -13% | 2,370 |
| Kansas | $67K | -13% | 580 |
| Indiana | $66K | -13% | 1,670 |
| Alabama | $66K | -13% | 780 |
| Arkansas | $66K | -14% | 650 |
| Missouri | $65K | -14% | 1,700 |
| Utah | $65K | -15% | 1,120 |
| South Dakota | $65K | -15% | 210 |
| Maine | $65K | -15% | 510 |
| Arizona | $64K | -16% | 1,800 |
| Wyoming | $64K | -16% | 120 |
| Mississippi | $64K | -17% | 540 |
Showing 1–10 of 51 (all 50 states + DC)
Track dietitians and nutritionists salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Baton Rouge numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a dietitians and nutritionist afford a 2BR apartment alone in Baton Rouge?
Yes — at the median salary of $71K, rent takes 25.9% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,204/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for dietitians and nutritionists in Baton Rouge?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new dietitians and nutritionists typically earn — is $52K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $3,119/month. At HUD’s $1,204/month FMR, rent would take 39% of that take-home — above the 30% guideline, so a 1-bedroom or shared housing is likely necessary starting out.
Is dietitians and nutritionist a high-paying job in Baton Rouge?
Pay here is roughly in line with the national average — $71K locally vs. $76K nationally, a 7% difference.
How does Baton Rouge compare to the national average for dietitians and nutritionists?
Baton Rouge pays $71K median vs. the U.S. average of $76K — that’s -7%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 90.78), the purchasing-power equivalent is $78K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do dietitians and nutritionists make in Baton Rouge, LA?
The median is $70,940 a year, that works out to about $34 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $51,980, and experienced dietitians and nutritionists can clear $88,490. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $71K enough to live in Baton Rouge?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,655/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,204/month, which eats 25.9% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a dietitians and nutritionists salary go in Baton Rouge?
Baton Rouge has a Regional Price Parity of 90.78 (100 is the national average). That's below average, your money stretches further here than the raw salary number suggests. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median dietitians and nutritionists salary is worth about $78,145 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do dietitians and nutritionists get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.