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Nutrition Director Salary in the United States

How much does a Nutrition Director make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Nutrition Director in the United States is $102,393 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $49.

However, a Nutrition Director's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $122,300
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $93,763 to $112,813
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $85,906
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Nutrition Director Salaries

A Nutrition Director's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Do Nutrition Director Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Nutrition Directors. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $113,363.
  • California: $112,933.
  • Massachusetts: $111,433.

Top Paying Cities for Nutrition Directors

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $129,143
  • San Francisco: $127,723
  • Oakland: $125,033

What Skills Can Increase a Nutrition Director's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Planning (Mentioned in 9.09% Job Postings): An act or process of making or carrying out plans. Establishment of goals, policies, and procedures for a social or economic unit city planning business planning.
  • Economics (Mentioned in 2.32% Job Postings): Economics is a social science that focuses on the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services, and analyzes the choices that individuals, businesses, governments, and nations make to allocate resources.
  • Purchasing (Mentioned in 1.94% Job Postings): Purchasing refers to a business or organization attempting to acquire goods or services to accomplish its goals. Although there are several organizations that attempt to set standards in the purchasing process, processes can vary greatly between organizations. Typically the word “purchasing” is not used interchangeably with the word “procurement”, since procurement typically includes expediting, supplier quality, and transportation and logistics (T&L) in addition to purchasing.
Skills Demand Percentage
Planning 9.09%
Economics 2.32%
Purchasing 1.94%
See More Skills

What skills can make your compensation higher?

Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Nutrition Director's salary.

  • Innovation: Can increase your salary by up to 7%.
  • Budgeting: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
  • Collaboration: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Innovation $109,561
7%
Budgeting $108,537
6%
Collaboration $107,513
5%
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Nutrition Director Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Nutrition Director salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $109,237. While startup companies pay approximate $92,877.

Nutrition Director Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $92,877
Growth Stage 51~500 $98,112
Established 501~5000 $105,600
Enterprise 5000+ $109,237

Nutrition Director Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Nutrition Director roles, the industry you choose can impact your earning potential by as much as 50% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the highest-paying industry, Business Services, offers compensation 20% above the average. Conversely, Nutrition Director positions in Healthcare typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view Nutrition Director as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Nutrition Director

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Business Services$122,872$59.020%
Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit$112,632$54.010%

How Education impacts a Nutrition Director's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Nutrition Directors enter the field with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a Nutrition Director with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate is between $98,392 and $106,253).

Nutrition Director Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Nutrition Director
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 13.3%
High School 13.3%
Associates 5.0%
Bachelors 25.0%
Masters 56.7%
Doctorate 0.0%
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Nutrition Director Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Nutrition Director's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on September 01, 2026
$93,763
Average $102,393/year
$112,813
$7,814
Average $8,533/month
$9,401
$1,803
Average $1,969/week
$2,169
$45
Average $49/hour
$54
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $112,813 $9,401 $2,169 $54
Average $102,393 $8,533 $1,969 $49
25th Percentile $93,763 $7,814 $1,803 $45

Most common benefits for Nutrition Director

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Nutrition Director

Here are companies hiring for Nutrition Director and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Nutrition Director

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Nutrition Director?

The Business Services industry offers the highest average compensation for Nutrition Director roles, with salaries approximately 20% above the market median.

2. What is the highest paying job in nutrition?

The highest paying job in nutrition is often the Nutrition Director, with salaries ranging from $93,593 to $122,433. Management-level positions, such as Food Service Manager and Clinical Nutrition Manager, also offer competitive salaries, reflecting the demand for skilled professionals in the field.

3. What do you need to be a nutrition manager?

To become a nutrition manager, you typically need a bachelor's degree in nutrition, food service management, health administration, or a related field. The salary for this role ranges from $93,593 to $122,433, with a median salary of $107,623, reflecting the importance and demand for qualified professionals in this area.

4. What is the role of a nutrition director?

The role of a Nutrition Director involves administering, planning, directing, assessing, implementing, and evaluating nutrition programs to meet the nutritional and educational needs of children. The salary for this position ranges from $93,593 to $122,433, with a midpoint of $107,623, reflecting the importance of ensuring healthy food options in educational settings.

5. Do directors get paid well?

Yes, directors generally receive competitive salaries. For a Nutrition Director, the salary ranges from a minimum of $93,593 to a midpoint of $107,623, with a maximum salary reaching $122,433. This range reflects the significant responsibilities and expertise required for the role, indicating that directors are well-compensated for their work.

6. How much do nutritionists make with a master's degree?

Nutrition Directors typically earn between $93,593 and $122,433 annually, with a median salary of $107,623. This is significantly higher than the average salaries for nutritionists with a master's degree, which vary by state but generally fall below this range.

7. How to become a school nutrition director?

To become a school nutrition director, you typically need a bachelor's degree in food and nutrition, dietetics, or a related field. Experience in food service management is also beneficial. The salary for this position ranges from approximately $93,593 to $122,433, with a median salary around $107,623, reflecting the importance of this role in promoting student health.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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