Dietitians and Nutritionists Salary
The median pay for a dietitians and nutritionists in Iowa is $72,690/year ($34.95/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $51K at the entry level to $93K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 88.86), which stretches that salary to about $81,803 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,064/month, or 22.3% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Iowa. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $73K get you in Iowa?
About dietitians and nutritionists
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What this looks like in Iowa
Dietitians and nutritionists pay in Iowa tracks closely to the national median, $73K locally vs. $76K nationwide, a 5% difference. Housing is manageable: a 2-bedroom at the HUD median costs $1,064/month, 22.9% of take-home, well inside the 30% guideline. Regional Price Parity sits at 88.86 (national = 100), meaning everyday costs run about 11% cheaper here. Your dollar stretches further than the headline salary suggests. Use the affordability calculator above to model your specific situation.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Iowa
Entry-level dietitians and nutritionists (10th percentile) start around $51K. Mid-career wages sit at $73K. Top earners bring in $93K or more, a $42K spread from bottom to top.
Dietitians and Nutritionists salary by metro in Iowa
5 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cedar Rapids | $75K | +3% | 40 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls | $74K | +2% | 30 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island | $74K | +1% | 40 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines | $66K | -9% | 210 |
| Iowa City | $65K | -10% | 70 |
Compare to other states
Track dietitians and nutritionists salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Iowa numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a dietitians and nutritionist afford a 2BR apartment alone in Iowa?
Yes — at the median salary of $73K, rent takes 22.9% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,064/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for dietitians and nutritionists in Iowa?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new dietitians and nutritionists typically earn — is $51K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $3,043/month. At HUD’s $1,064/month FMR, rent would take 35% 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 Iowa?
Pay here is roughly in line with the national average — $73K locally vs. $76K nationally, a 5% difference.
How does Iowa compare to the national average for dietitians and nutritionists?
Iowa pays $73K median vs. the U.S. average of $76K — that’s -5%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 88.86), the purchasing-power equivalent is $82K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do dietitians and nutritionists make in Iowa?
The median is $72,690 a year, that works out to about $35 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $50,720, and experienced dietitians and nutritionists can clear $92,940. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $73K enough to live in Iowa?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,650/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,064/month, which eats 22.9% 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 Iowa?
Iowa has a Regional Price Parity of 88.86 (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 $81,803 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.