Dietitians and Nutritionists salary in Tennessee
Dietitians and Nutritionists in Tennessee earn a median of $67,620 a year ($32.51 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,230 workers.
Pay ranges from $40,860 for the lowest-paid 10% to $90,200 for the top 10%. That is 11% lower than the national median of $76,400. Tennessee ranks 37th of 51 states for dietitians and nutritionists pay. There are 0.37 dietitians and nutritionists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.75). The average (mean) salary is $67,910, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for dietitians and nutritionists in Tennessee
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $40,860 | $19.64 |
| 25th percentile | $57,780 | $27.78 |
| Median | $67,620 | $32.51 |
| 75th percentile | $77,880 | $37.44 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $90,200 | $43.37 |
| Average (mean) | $67,910 | $32.65 |
Half of dietitians and nutritionists earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $5,635 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,817.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,600.77 |
| Weekly | $1,300.38 |
| Hourly | $32.51 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Dietitians and Nutritionists salary in cities in Tennessee
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $74,110 | 440 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $72,310 | 210 |
| Johnson City, TN | $70,150 | 60 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $68,920 | 30 |
| Knoxville, TN | $66,330 | 130 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $64,700 | 160 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $64,410 | 30 |
| Jackson, TN | $58,620 | 40 |
Highest-paying states for dietitians and nutritionists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $98,850 |
| West Virginia | $89,440 |
| Alaska | $87,980 |
| New Jersey | $84,450 |
| Washington | $84,220 |
| Oregon | $84,180 |
| New York | $82,480 |
| District of Columbia | $82,150 |
| Hawaii | $81,920 |
| Connecticut | $80,600 |
Related jobs in Tennessee
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $81,500 | $39.18 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $117,590 | $56.54 |
| Pharmacist | $133,390 | $64.13 |
| Physicians, All Other | $301,290 | $144.85 |
| Physical Therapist | $100,140 | $48.15 |
| Dental Hygienist | $84,640 | $40.69 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $72,140 | $34.68 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $84,630 | $40.69 |
| Occupational Therapist | $97,700 | $46.97 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $226,830 | $109.05 |
| Physician Assistant | $118,240 | $56.85 |
| Dentists, General | $215,290 | $103.51 |
| Veterinarian | $124,350 | $59.78 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $211,450 | $101.66 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Tennessee
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 29-1031. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a dietitians and nutritionists make in Tennessee?
The median salary for dietitians and nutritionists in Tennessee is $67,620 a year, or $32.51 an hour. Pay ranges from $40,860 for the lowest-paid 10% to $90,200 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid dietitians and nutritionists make in Tennessee?
The top 10% of dietitians and nutritionists in Tennessee earn at least $90,200 a year. The top 25% earn $77,880 or more.
What is the starting pay for dietitians and nutritionists in Tennessee?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $40,860 a year, and a quarter of dietitians and nutritionists earn $57,780 or less.
How many dietitians and nutritionists work in Tennessee?
About 1,230 dietitians and nutritionists are employed in Tennessee, not counting the self-employed.