HealthcareOfficial Payroll Survey · 99/10010+ years

Staff / Lead Registered Dietitian Salary in Chicago

2026 · Staff, lead, and principal-level professionals in the top 10% of earners.

$103,802/yr

Typical range: $97,281 $114,636

P90 · BLS OEWS employer payroll data

Registered Dietitian Salary Progression in Chicago

From entry-level through staff — based on BLS OEWS percentile data

Experience LevelYearsPercentileAnnual SalaryMonthlyvs Entry
Entry0 yrs0 yrs$56,767$4,731
Junior2 yrs2 yrs$69,742$5,812+23%
Mid-Level4 yrs4 yrs$77,311$6,443+36%
Senior6 yrs6 yrs$85,636$7,136+51%
StaffThis page10 yrs10 yrs$103,802$8,650+83%
Principal14 yrs14 yrs$119,372$9,948+110%
Distinguished18 yrs18 yrs$123,264$10,272+117%
Current Salary
$103,802
Staff / Lead · 10+ years
Hourly: $50/hr
Next Level Target
$119,372
Principal · 14
+$16Kpotential uplift
Career Opportunity
45/100
Below Average
+11% demand · Low AI risk

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the staff / lead Registered Dietitian salary in Chicago, IL?

Staff / Lead Registered Dietitians in Chicago, IL earn approximately $104K per year (2026). This corresponds to the P90 range of BLS OEWS employer payroll data.

How much does a staff / lead Registered Dietitian make per hour in Chicago, IL?

Based on $104K annually, the hourly rate is approximately $50/hr (2,080-hour work year).

How do I get from staff / lead to senior Registered Dietitian in Chicago, IL?

The typical progression takes 2–4 years with consistent skill development, project leadership, and strategic job moves. A senior Registered Dietitian in Chicago, IL earns $97K–$115K/yr.