Dietitian and Nutritionist Hourly Pay in Bentonville, AR: $32.76 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dietitian and nutritionist working in Bentonville, AR runs $32.76 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $68,147 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1031). Weighted against Bentonville's regional price level (BEA RPP 86.9, 13% below national), each hour of work buys what $37.70 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $40,884 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Bentonville, Arkansas, dietitian and nutritionist hourly pay for 2026 is projected to be $32.76, which is notably lower than the national hourly median of $38.16. This disparity reflects local market conditions, providing context for dietitians and nutritionists working part-time in various settings—such as clinical nutrition consult rounds, outpatient counseling, and school district kitchens—who typically put in around three days a week. This hourly rate positions entry-level workers at approximately $19.75 per hour, while seasoned professionals can earn up to $43.05 per hour, which opens a wide range of possibilities for both per-diem positions and contract work in diverse environments. Understanding this landscape is critical for professionals navigating their career paths in Bentonville, given the increasing demand for dietitians and nutritionists nationally.
About the Bentonville Market
Salary estimated from Arkansas average ($56,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Dietitian and Nutritionist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $19.75 | $158.01 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $27.79 | $222.35 |
| Median (P50) | $32.76 | $262.08 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $37.71 | $301.64 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $43.05 | $344.37 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Bentonville
Based on $32.76/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $32.76/hr, a dietitian and nutritionist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Bentonville, AR can expect to earn approximately $68,140 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $39,312. With a cost-of-living index of 86.90 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Bentonville.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Bentonville
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,310.39 | $5,678 | $68,140 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $786.23 | $3,407 | $40,884 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $524.15 | $2,271 | $27,256 |
Compare DN Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dietitian and Nutritionist (Bentonville) | $32.76 |
| 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 Bentonville, AR earn a median of $68,147 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.15% lower than the national median of $79,380 and 1.20% below the Arkansas state average of $68,975.
Dietitian and Nutritionist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $32.76/hr = $40,884/year (purchasing power: $47,047).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $68,140/year (purchasing power: $78,412).
CoL index: 86.9 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$25.29/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$31.53/hr
2026 Current Est.
$32.76/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+34.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dietitians and Nutritionists in Bentonville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.90% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $25.29/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $26.04/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $25.44/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $27.42/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $28.76/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $23.11/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $31.53/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $32.76/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $34.04/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dietitians and nutritionists in Bentonville grew 24.7% from $25.29/hr (2019) to $31.53/hr (2025). At a 3.90% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $34.04/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 Bentonville 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 Bentonville
Part-time dietitians and nutritionists working 24 hours per week can expect to take home around $41,125 annually, which contrasts with full-time professionals who earn significantly more. The per-diem and agency landscape is particularly lucrative, as many register dietitians nutritionists (RDNs) can earn between $50 and $80 per hour, with those specializing in sports nutrition consulting commanding rates as high as $150 per hour for specific engagements. Employment settings such as outpatient clinics, long-term care facilities, and public health programs will generally offer lower hourly rates due to budget constraints, while those in private practice, especially cash-pay models, might see rates upward of $150 to $300 per session. This trade-off can influence job satisfaction and financial security as dietitians weigh benefits versus higher pay. When negotiating hourly pay in Bentonville, recognizing the unique circumstances of each job can empower professionals to secure favorable compensations that align with their career goals.
More salary data for Bentonville, AR:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for dietitians and nutritionists in Bentonville in 2026?
How much do part-time dietitians and nutritionists make in Bentonville?
Are dietitians and nutritionists in Bentonville paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time dietitian and nutritionist make per year in Bentonville?
Do dietitians and nutritionists earn more per hour working part-time in Bentonville?
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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 Bentonville. 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 Bentonville 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