Dietitian and Nutritionist Hourly Pay in Oro Valley, AZ: $35.64 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dietitian and nutritionist working in Oro Valley, AZ runs $35.64 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $74,117 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1031). Weighted against Oro Valley's regional price level (BEA RPP 98.5, 1% below national), each hour of work buys what $36.18 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $44,476 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Oro Valley, Arizona, the dietitian and nutritionist hourly pay is projected to be $35.64 in 2026, falling below the national hourly median of $38.16. This disparity indicates a competitive landscape for part-time and per-diem professionals in the area, where hourly work could lead to earnings that still fulfill financial goals. For those working three days a week—approximately 24 hours—dietitians and nutritionists might expect to earn around $43,056 annually, enough to support a comfortable lifestyle given Oro Valley's below-average cost of living index of 98.5. The hourly pay range spans from $23.83 for entry-level positions to $46.16 for those at the top of the scale. Many work settings, including outpatient clinics and hospitals, reflect this range, offering varied opportunities based on experience and focus areas.
About the Oro Valley 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) | $23.83 | $190.68 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $29.01 | $232.07 |
| Median (P50) | $35.64 | $285.10 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $40.81 | $326.50 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $46.16 | $369.30 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Oro Valley
Based on $35.64/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $35.64/hr, a dietitian and nutritionist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Oro Valley, AZ can expect to earn approximately $74,126 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $42,765. With a cost-of-living index of 98.50 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Oro Valley.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Oro Valley
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,425.51 | $6,177 | $74,126 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $855.30 | $3,706 | $44,476 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $570.20 | $2,471 | $29,651 |
Compare DN Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dietitian and Nutritionist (Oro Valley) | $35.64 |
| 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 Oro Valley, AZ earn a median of $74,117 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.63% lower than the national median of $79,380 and 5.20% below the Arizona state average of $78,183.
Dietitian and Nutritionist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $35.64/hr = $44,476/year (purchasing power: $45,153).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $74,126/year (purchasing power: $75,255).
CoL index: 98.5 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$27.51/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$34.30/hr
2026 Current Est.
$35.64/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+34.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dietitians and Nutritionists in Oro Valley (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.90% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $27.51/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $28.32/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $27.68/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $29.83/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $31.28/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $30.53/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $34.30/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $35.64/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $37.03/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dietitians and nutritionists in Oro Valley grew 24.7% from $27.51/hr (2019) to $34.30/hr (2025). At a 3.90% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $37.03/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 Oro Valley 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 Oro Valley
Analyzing earning potential reveals that part-time dietitians and nutritionists working in Oro Valley can achieve a solid income while enjoying more flexibility in their schedules compared to full-time counterparts. Those opting for per diem arrangements often command higher rates, billing between $50 and $80 per hour, with specialized providers in sports nutrition sometimes charging rates as high as $150 to $300 per hour for tailored consultations. Meanwhile, hourly rates can differ significantly based on the type of employer. For instance, hospital clinical departments might offer stability but lower rates compared to private practice, which provides higher hourly compensation at the cost of benefits like health insurance. In negotiating hourly pay, it’s vital for dietitians and nutritionists to articulate the value of their skilled services, considering the balance between benefits and rates, especially in a fluctuating job market in Oro Valley, AZ.
More salary data for Oro Valley, AZ:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for dietitians and nutritionists in Oro Valley in 2026?
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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 Oro Valley. 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 Oro Valley 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