Dietitian / Nutritionist.
Albuquerque.
$58,000
median salary, 9% below the national average
$47,000 to $71,000. Last updated April 2026.
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Data points to own the conversation.
A Dietitian / Nutritionist in Albuquerque earns a median of $58,000 in 2026. That is 9% below the national average. The range runs from $47,000 to $71,000, and where you land depends on your experience, your skills, and how well you negotiate. Practice setting drives the most variation, with hospital clinical dietitians earning above community health and long-term care positions.
Salary range
Where do you fall?
Salary by experience
The gap between entry and lead level is typically $52,000. Where you land depends on years of experience and what you bring to the table.
Entry (0-2 yrs)
$38,000
to $46,000
Mid (3-5 yrs)
$49,000
to $61,000
Senior (6-9 yrs)
$64,000
to $75,000
Lead (10+ yrs)
$73,000
to $90,000
Salary trend
+4% YoYTotal compensation
Base salary is not the full picture. Equity, bonus, and signing can add $14,000 to the total package.
Base
$58,000
Equity
$8,000
Bonus
$5,000
Signing
$1,000
Estimated total: $72,000
How Albuquerque compares
Albuquerque, NM
$58,000
Cost of living: 12% below average
National Average
$64,000
Albuquerque is $6,000 below
Dietitian / Nutritionist salary by city
Salary by role in Albuquerque
What you should know
Here is what the Dietitian / Nutritionist market actually looks like in Albuquerque. Albuquerque's economy is driven by Sandia and Los Alamos National Laboratories, Kirtland Air Force Base, and a growing film production industry. The city offers affordable living and a strong pipeline of research and engineering jobs tied to national defense and energy programs. Practice setting drives the most variation, with hospital clinical dietitians earning above community health and long-term care positions. Board certifications in specialties like oncology nutrition, renal, or sports dietetics add 8 to 12% premiums. State licensure requirements and metropolitan locations with higher demand also increase compensation.
Entry-level RDs earn $50,000 to $56,000 in clinical settings after completing their internship. Experienced clinical dietitians with specializations reach $65,000 to $78,000. Nutrition directors or private practice owners can earn $80,000 to $105,000 depending on setting and client volume. In Albuquerque, your dollars stretch further. Cost of living runs 12% below the national average, which means even a median salary buys a stronger lifestyle.
Base salary is not the full picture. Clinical dietitians receive comprehensive hospital benefits including health insurance, retirement matching, and CE reimbursement. Private practice dietitians can earn more per hour but face overhead costs. Some positions offer meal stipends and wellness program incentives. And on the tax side: new Mexico's top income tax rate is 5.9%. Albuquerque has no city income tax. The moderate state rate and affordable housing create reasonable net compensation. When someone quotes you $58,000, ask what the total package looks like. The gap between base and total comp is where real money hides.
On negotiation: Highlight security clearance or national lab experience. Sandia and Los Alamos pay nationally competitive salaries with excellent federal benefits packages. The range for Dietitian / Nutritionists in Albuquerque runs from $47,000 to $71,000. That is not a narrow window. Where you land inside it depends almost entirely on whether you negotiate and how well you prepare.
Sources: SEC filings, H-1B LCA (DOL), BLS OES, 50+ job posting platforms. COL: BEA Regional Price Parities (2025). Data verified by Justin Bartak, Founder & Chief AI Officer. Last verified April 8, 2026. Full methodology
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Common questions.
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