Dietitian and Nutritionist Hourly Pay in Mesa, AZ: $32.02 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dietitian and nutritionist working in Mesa, AZ runs $32.02 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $66,608 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1031). Weighted against Mesa's regional price level (BEA RPP 98.5, 1% below national), each hour of work buys what $32.51 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $39,963 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Dietitians and nutritionists in Mesa, Arizona, earn a median hourly rate of $32.02, which is notably lower than the national hourly median of $38.16. This disparity reflects the local job market and economic conditions, affecting part-time and per-diem workers significantly. For instance, those working three days a week can anticipate earning approximately $25,000 annually, much less than their full-time counterparts, who typically have access to more consistent hours and benefits. The hourly pay range in Mesa varies, with entry-level professionals earning around $20.69 per hour and experienced practitioners potentially making up to $44.00 per hour. These figures are built upon annual salary data projections for 2026, indicating potential earning scenarios across various settings such as hospitals, outpatient clinics, and private practices that align with the growing demand for nutritional expertise.
About the Mesa Market
Salary estimated from Arizona average ($68,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Dietitian and Nutritionist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $20.69 | $165.49 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $26.41 | $211.29 |
| Median (P50) | $32.02 | $256.18 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $37.65 | $301.23 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $44.00 | $352.01 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Mesa
Based on $32.02/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $32.02/hr, a dietitian and nutritionist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Mesa, AZ can expect to earn approximately $66,606 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $38,426. With a cost-of-living index of 98.50 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Mesa.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Mesa
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,280.88 | $5,550 | $66,606 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $768.53 | $3,330 | $39,963 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $512.35 | $2,220 | $26,642 |
Compare DN Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dietitian and Nutritionist (Mesa) | $32.02 |
| 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 Mesa, AZ earn a median of $66,608 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.09% lower than the national median of $79,380 and 14.80% below the Arizona state average of $78,179.
Dietitian and Nutritionist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $32.02/hr = $39,963/year (purchasing power: $40,572).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $66,606/year (purchasing power: $67,620).
CoL index: 98.5 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$24.72/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$30.82/hr
2026 Current Est.
$32.02/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+34.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dietitians and Nutritionists in Mesa (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.90% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $24.72/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $25.45/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $24.87/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $26.81/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $28.11/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $34.61/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $30.82/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $32.02/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $33.27/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dietitians and nutritionists in Mesa grew 24.7% from $24.72/hr (2019) to $30.82/hr (2025). At a 3.90% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $33.27/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 Mesa 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 Mesa
Considering the evolving landscape of dietetics in Mesa, the part-time earning potential for dietitians and nutritionists illustrates a trade-off between flexibility and financial stability. While part-timers may bring home considerably less than full-time professionals, those opting for per diem roles can realize earnings that fluctuate widely. Per-diem workers often charge $50 to $80 per hour, particularly in specialized fields like sports nutrition, where rates can reach up to $150 per hour. Different employers, including long-term care facilities and school districts, offer varying compensation, with the latter often providing benefits that healthier hourly rates do not. As more professionals transition to cash-pay or private practice models, the opportunity for higher hourly rates has increased, with RDNs charging $150 to $300 for a one-hour consultation. As the profession adjusts to these trends, practitioners in Mesa can negotiate hourly rates by being aware of market demands and positioning themselves strategically, especially as the need for registered dietitian nutritionists continues to grow in the community.
More salary data for Mesa, AZ:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for dietitians and nutritionists in Mesa in 2026?
How much do part-time dietitians and nutritionists make in Mesa?
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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 Mesa. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Mesa is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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