Holistic Nutrition Salary

In addition to your skill level, the level of education, and your career experience, an important factor in determining your salary as a holistic nutritionist is the state in which you live. Some states, due to cost of living factors or regulatory differences, pay higher average salaries to holistic nutritionists than others. The highest paying states for holistic nutritionists, according to BLS data, are:

1. California: Mean annual wage of $77,040
2. Alaska: Mean annual wage of $76,740
3. Connecticut: Mean annual wage of $74,840
4. Rhode Island: Mean annual wage of $74,500
5. New Jersey: Mean annual wage of $72,840

1. Holistic Nutritionist: Holistic nutritionists help clients improve their health and well-being by recommending dietary changes and other holistic therapies. The average salary for a holistic nutritionist is $50,500 per year.
2. Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN): RDNs use their knowledge of nutrition science to help clients make healthy food choices and manage chronic diseases. The average salary for an RDN is $63,100 per year.
3. Health Coach: Health coaches work with clients to create personalized wellness plans that incorporate nutrition, exercise, and other lifestyle factors. The average salary for a health coach is $45,400 per year.
4. Nutrition Educator: Nutrition educators teach clients about the benefits of healthy eating and how to make nutritious meals at home. The average salary for a nutrition educator is $52,900 per year.
5. Functional Medicine Practitioner: Functional medicine practitioners take a holistic approach to healthcare, addressing the root causes of chronic diseases through nutrition, lifestyle changes, and other natural therapies. The average salary for a functional medicine practitioner is $73,975 per year.
6. Herbalist: Herbalists use plants and other natural remedies to promote health and prevent disease. The average salary for an herbalist is $49,800 per year.
7. Naturopathic Doctor: Naturopathic doctors use a range of natural therapies, including nutrition, to help patients achieve optimal health. The average salary for a naturopathic doctor is $86,250 per year.
8. Integrative Health Practitioner: Integrative health practitioners combine conventional medicine with complementary and alternative therapies, including nutrition, to promote wellness. The average salary for an integrative health practitioner is $60,200 per year.
9. Wellness Program Coordinator: Wellness program coordinators develop and manage wellness programs for organizations, including nutrition and wellness education. The average salary for a wellness program coordinator is $54,100 per year.
10. Food and Nutrition Writer: Food and nutrition writers create content for magazines, websites, and other media outlets, including articles and recipes focused on healthy eating. The average salary for a food and nutrition writer is $62,450 per year.

It is important to remember that average salary data does not account for differences in education, experience, job performance, location, or a number of other factors that will impact the actual salary that an individual performing a given job in holistic nutrition receives.

1. Nutrition Awareness: As people become more aware of the role of nutrition in preventing and managing chronic diseases, there is a growing demand for nutritionists who can provide guidance and support in making healthy food choices.
2. Aging Population: As the US population ages, there is an increased demand for nutritionists who can help older adults manage chronic diseases and for those who can assist seniors in maintaining optimal health.
3. Interest in Holistic and Alternative Health Practices: Over the last decade there has been increasing awareness of the need to incorporate holistic and alternative health practices into the American approach to healthcare. That is particularly true for nutrition. That interest is driving demand for nutritionists who can provide guidance in holistic and alternative nutrition.
4. US Government Initiatives: The US government is increasingly focused on public health initiatives related to nutrition, including promoting healthy eating habits and reducing rates of obesity and the ensuing health conditions. Such initiatives are projected to increase awareness and create demand for holistic nutritional services.

The map to the left illustrates the concentrations of holistic nutritionists employed by state (source: BLS.gov, Dietitians and Nutritionists, 2020).

Holistic nutritionists are employed in every state, and are one of the most evenly distributed careers. That is, rather than being concentrated in just a few states, there are thousands of nutritionist and dietitian careers in every state throughout the country.