Dietitian and Nutritionist Hourly Pay in Auburn, AL: $30.86 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dietitian and nutritionist working in Auburn, AL runs $30.86 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $64,179 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1031). Weighted against Auburn's regional price level (BEA RPP 87.9, 12% below national), each hour of work buys what $35.09 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $38,511 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Auburn, Alabama, the current dietitian and nutritionist hourly pay sits at $30.86, a figure considerably below the national median of $38.16 per hour. This pay rate reflects the local demand and the cost of living, providing insights for both full-time and part-time professionals in various settings such as hospitals, outpatient clinics, and private practices. For a dietitian working part-time, such as three days a week, this hourly wage allows for a decent income that can cover living expenses, albeit with less flexibility than higher-paying per diem roles. The hourly wages in Auburn range from $15.51 for entry-level positions to as much as $44.31 for highly experienced practitioners, which presents a diverse earning landscape for dietitians and nutritionists in the area. These figures are sourced from the 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026.
Dietitian and Nutritionist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $15.51 | $124.10 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $29.02 | $232.15 |
| Median (P50) | $30.86 | $246.87 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $37.46 | $299.65 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $44.31 | $354.51 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Auburn
Based on $30.86/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $30.86/hr, a dietitian and nutritionist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Auburn, AL can expect to earn approximately $64,185 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $37,030. With a cost-of-living index of 87.93 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Auburn.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Auburn
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,234.33 | $5,349 | $64,185 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $740.60 | $3,209 | $38,511 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $493.73 | $2,140 | $25,674 |
Compare DN Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dietitian and Nutritionist (Auburn) | $30.86 |
| Registered Nurse (National Avg) | $42.80 |
| Health Education Specialist (National Avg) | $31.83 |
| Dental Hygienist (National Avg) | $42.45 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist (National Avg) | $43.60 |
Dietitian and Nutritionists in Auburn, AL earn a median of $64,179 per year (2026 est.), which is 19.15% lower than the national median of $79,380 and 6.30% below the Alabama state average of $68,494.
Dietitian and Nutritionist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $30.86/hr = $38,511/year (purchasing power: $43,796).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $64,185/year (purchasing power: $72,993).
CoL index: 87.933 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$23.82/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$29.70/hr
2026 Current Est.
$30.86/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+34.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dietitians and Nutritionists in Auburn (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.90% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $23.82/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $24.53/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $23.97/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $25.83/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $27.09/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $34.88/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $29.70/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $30.86/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $32.06/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dietitians and nutritionists in Auburn grew 24.7% from $23.82/hr (2019) to $29.70/hr (2025). At a 3.90% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $32.06/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem dietitians and nutritionists can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Auburn metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 3.90% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Dietitian and Nutritionist in Auburn
Turning to part-time earnings, a dietitian and nutritionist working 24 hours a week at the median hourly rate would take home about $38,696 annually, which is significantly less than what full-time colleagues might earn. The per diem or locum tenens option, often more lucrative, allows the possibility to bill $50 to $80 per hour, with specialists in sports nutrition commanding even higher rates between $80 and $150 per hour. private practice dietitians may charge clients between $150 and $300 for a 60-minute session, illustrating the potential for increased income outside traditional employment settings. Hourly rates can vary widely depending on the employer type, with clinical roles in hospitals typically offering lower compensation compared to roles in corporate wellness programs or cash-pay settings. Dietitians in Auburn must balance hourly pay against benefits; those who choose full-time positions may accept lower hourly rates in exchange for health insurance, while others may prefer higher rates with no benefits for the added flexibility. Developing negotiation skills is crucial for securing the best hourly pay in a competitive market.
More salary data for Auburn, AL:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for dietitians and nutritionists in Auburn in 2026?
How much do part-time dietitians and nutritionists make in Auburn?
Are dietitians and nutritionists in Auburn paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time dietitian and nutritionist make per year in Auburn?
Do dietitians and nutritionists earn more per hour working part-time in Auburn?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Alabama
Written by Aisha Patel, MS, RD
Career Analyst
Aisha has 10 years of experience as a nutrition consultant. She specializes in sports nutrition. Aisha works with professional athletes and teams.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 3.90% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for dietitians and nutritionists in Auburn. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 2-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.90%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for dietitian and nutritionists (SOC 29-1031).
Compiled and verified by Aisha Patel, MS, RD, a licensed dietitian and nutritionist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov