Dietitian and Nutritionist Hourly Pay in Van Buren, AR: $30.79 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dietitian and nutritionist working in Van Buren, AR runs $30.79 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $64,030 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1031). Weighted against Van Buren's regional price level (BEA RPP 86.9, 13% below national), each hour of work buys what $35.43 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $38,420 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Van Buren, Arkansas, the dietitian and nutritionist hourly pay is projected to be $30.79 in 2026, significantly below the national median of $38.16. This hourly wage can affect part-time workers, especially those in common environments like outpatient clinics, hospitals, and school nutrition programs. For example, a part-time dietitian working three days a week could take home around $31,000 annually, while those in per-diem roles might earn more depending on their hours and the demands of their clients. The hourly range for dietitians and nutritionists in Van Buren spans from $21.82 for entry-level positions to $40.39 for experienced professionals or specialists, indicating a broad spectrum of earning potential based on skills, years of experience, and job settings.
About the Van Buren 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) | $21.82 | $174.55 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $26.54 | $212.29 |
| Median (P50) | $30.79 | $246.28 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $35.72 | $285.77 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $40.39 | $323.09 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Van Buren
Based on $30.79/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $30.79/hr, a dietitian and nutritionist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Van Buren, AR can expect to earn approximately $64,034 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $36,943. With a cost-of-living index of 86.90 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Van Buren.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Van Buren
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,231.42 | $5,336 | $64,034 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $738.85 | $3,202 | $38,420 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $492.57 | $2,134 | $25,614 |
Compare DN Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dietitian and Nutritionist (Van Buren) | $30.79 |
| 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 Van Buren, AR earn a median of $64,030 per year (2026 est.), which is 19.34% lower than the national median of $79,380 and 7.20% below the Arkansas state average of $68,998.
Dietitian and Nutritionist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $30.79/hr = $38,420/year (purchasing power: $44,212).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $64,034/year (purchasing power: $73,687).
CoL index: 86.9 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$23.76/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$29.63/hr
2026 Current Est.
$30.79/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+34.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dietitians and Nutritionists in Van Buren (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.90% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $23.76/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $24.47/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $23.91/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $25.77/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $27.02/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $21.72/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $29.63/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $30.79/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $31.99/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dietitians and nutritionists in Van Buren grew 24.7% from $23.76/hr (2019) to $29.63/hr (2025). At a 3.90% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $31.99/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 Van Buren 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 Van Buren
The earning potential in Van Buren for those in the dietitian and nutritionist field varies widely, particularly for part-time professionals compared to their full-time counterparts. Full-time roles typically yield around $64,030 per year, while part-time staff working a typical 24-hour week earn significantly less in total annual income. In the realm of per-diem work, registered dietitian nutritionists (RDNs) often charge between $50 and $80 an hour, particularly if they are working in specialized fields such as sports nutrition consulting, where rates can escalate to $80-$150 per hour. Conversely, those in positions at clinical settings might have steadier employment but receive lower hourly rates for the security of benefits, making it essential for professionals to weigh the compensation versus perks balance. Successful negotiating techniques in Van Buren often hinge on understanding local market rates and highlighting specialized skills or experiences, which can boost hourly pay prospects for dietitians and nutritionists in varied employment settings.
More salary data for Van Buren, AR:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for dietitians and nutritionists in Van Buren 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 Van Buren. 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 Van Buren 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