Dietitian and Nutritionist Hourly Pay in Gainesville, FL: $38.78 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dietitian and nutritionist working in Gainesville, FL runs $38.78 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $80,647 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1031). Weighted against Gainesville's regional price level (BEA RPP 96.7, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $40.09 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $48,392 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Gainesville, Florida, dietitians and nutritionists earn a median hourly rate of $38.78, which is slightly above the national hourly median of $38.16. This competitive pay offers flexibility for both part-time professionals and per-diem workers, who often find employment in diverse settings such as hospitals, outpatient clinics, and schools. For example, an individual working three days a week could expect to bring home a substantial income while balancing other commitments, while per-diem workers often have opportunities in environments that support a variety of client needs. The hourly pay ranges from $19.52 for entry-level positions to $47.21 for the most experienced practitioners, reflecting the growing demand for registered dietitian nutritionists and the increasing complexity of the job, given the new master's degree requirement for credentialing effective January 2024.
Dietitian and Nutritionist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $19.52 | $156.18 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $30.68 | $245.45 |
| Median (P50) | $38.78 | $310.20 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $38.88 | $311.04 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $47.21 | $377.70 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Gainesville
Based on $38.78/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $38.78/hr, a dietitian and nutritionist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Gainesville, FL can expect to earn approximately $80,653 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $46,531. With a cost-of-living index of 96.73 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Gainesville.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Gainesville
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,551.02 | $6,721 | $80,653 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $930.61 | $4,033 | $48,392 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $620.41 | $2,688 | $32,261 |
Compare DN Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dietitian and Nutritionist (Gainesville) | $38.78 |
| 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 Gainesville, FL earn a median of $80,647 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.60% higher than the national median of $79,380 and 5.10% above the Florida state average of $76,734.
Dietitian and Nutritionist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $38.78/hr = $48,392/year (purchasing power: $50,026).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $80,653/year (purchasing power: $83,377).
CoL index: 96.733 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$29.14/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$37.32/hr
2026 Current Est.
$38.78/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+38.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dietitians and Nutritionists in Gainesville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.90% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $29.14/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $29.91/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $28.50/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $29.77/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $31.39/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $32.16/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $37.32/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $38.78/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $40.29/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dietitians and nutritionists in Gainesville grew 28.1% from $29.14/hr (2019) to $37.32/hr (2025). At a 3.90% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $40.29/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 Gainesville 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 Gainesville
When considering the earning potential for dietitians and nutritionists in Gainesville, part-time positions (24 hours per week) yield a significantly different annual take-home pay than full-time roles. Healthcare settings such as hospitals and long-term care facilities may offer more stable pay, while agency or locum dietitians often charge per diem rates that can reach $50-$80 per hour. In specialized areas like sports nutrition consulting, hourly charges can soar to between $80 and $150, and those in private practice may set direct-pay rates as high as $150 to $300 for a single session. This variation in hourly pay across employer types prompts many nutrition professionals to assess the trade-offs between higher hourly compensation without benefits and lower rates with health insurance coverage. Given the competitive nature of the industry, effective negotiation strategies specific to hourly compensation could be key for professionals in Gainesville to maximize their income potential while gaining pivotal experience in the field.
More salary data for Gainesville, FL:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for dietitians and nutritionists in Gainesville in 2026?
How much do part-time dietitians and nutritionists make in Gainesville?
Are dietitians and nutritionists in Gainesville paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time dietitian and nutritionist make per year in Gainesville?
Do dietitians and nutritionists earn more per hour working part-time in Gainesville?
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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 Gainesville. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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