Dietitian and Nutritionist Hourly Pay in Paragould, AR: $32.40 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dietitian and nutritionist working in Paragould, AR runs $32.40 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $67,385 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1031). Weighted against Paragould's regional price level (BEA RPP 86.9, 13% below national), each hour of work buys what $37.28 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $40,430 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Paragould, AR, the dietitian and nutritionist hourly pay stands at a median of $32.40, which is notably lower than the national median of $38.16. This difference can significantly impact part-time workers and those engaged in per-diem arrangements. For instance, a dietitian working three days a week, typically around 24 hours, may earn approximately $77,568 annually based on a consistent schedule, but hourly compensation varies widely from $20.62 at the entry level to $43.95 for more experienced professionals. This flexibility allows for diverse work settings, such as hospital clinical nutrition consults, outpatient counseling rooms, and school district kitchens, where the hourly rates are derived from annual salary estimates.
About the Paragould 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) | $20.62 | $164.99 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $27.54 | $220.35 |
| Median (P50) | $32.40 | $259.17 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $38.24 | $305.88 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $43.95 | $351.60 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Paragould
Based on $32.40/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $32.40/hr, a dietitian and nutritionist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Paragould, AR can expect to earn approximately $67,384 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $38,875. With a cost-of-living index of 86.90 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Paragould.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Paragould
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,295.84 | $5,615 | $67,384 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $777.50 | $3,369 | $40,430 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $518.34 | $2,246 | $26,953 |
Compare DN Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dietitian and Nutritionist (Paragould) | $32.40 |
| 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 Paragould, AR earn a median of $67,385 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.11% lower than the national median of $79,380 and 2.30% below the Arkansas state average of $68,972.
Dietitian and Nutritionist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $32.40/hr = $40,430/year (purchasing power: $46,525).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $67,384/year (purchasing power: $77,542).
CoL index: 86.9 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$25.01/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$31.18/hr
2026 Current Est.
$32.40/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+34.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dietitians and Nutritionists in Paragould (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.90% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $25.01/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $25.75/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $25.16/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $27.12/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $28.44/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $22.85/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $31.18/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $32.40/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $33.66/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dietitians and nutritionists in Paragould grew 24.7% from $25.01/hr (2019) to $31.18/hr (2025). At a 3.90% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $33.66/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 Paragould 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 Paragould
Evaluating the financial landscape for dietitians and nutritionists reveals substantial opportunities, particularly for part-time and per-diem roles. A nutritionist working part-time at a standard 3-day week may see a reliable annual income considerably less than their full-time peers. On the per-diem side, many professionals in this field bill rates between $50-$80 per hour, particularly in more specialized roles like sports nutrition consulting, where rates can escalate to $80-$150. Cash-pay private practice can also yield high earnings, charging clients $150-$300 for a session. However, dietitians in Paragould face a trade-off between higher hourly rates without benefits and lower rates that include health insurance. Understanding pay structures across various employers—from hospitals to corporate wellness programs—can help in negotiating better rates. Practical tips for negotiation include showcasing specialized skills and experience to justify higher hourly wages.
More salary data for Paragould, AR:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for dietitians and nutritionists in Paragould in 2026?
How much do part-time dietitians and nutritionists make in Paragould?
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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 Paragould. 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 Paragould 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