Dietitian and Nutritionist Hourly Pay in Meridian, ID: $36.51 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dietitian and nutritionist working in Meridian, ID runs $36.51 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $75,931 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1031). Weighted against Meridian's regional price level (BEA RPP 95.3, 5% below national), each hour of work buys what $38.31 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $45,565 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Meridian, Idaho, the dietitian and nutritionist hourly pay stands at a median of $36.51, slightly below the national median of $38.16. This rate is reflective of various employment scenarios in local settings such as hospitals, outpatient clinics, and private practices. For part-time professionals working three days a week, this translates to approximately 24 hours of work, allowing for flexible arrangements while still earning a respectable wage. The hourly pay can range from $24.17 for entry-level positions to $50.98 for top earners in the region. As estimates are derived from annual salary data, these hourly figures offer a useful framework for understanding the financial landscape for dietitians and nutritionists in Meridian, ID.
About the Meridian Market
Salary estimated from Idaho average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Dietitian and Nutritionist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $24.17 | $193.34 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $30.48 | $243.87 |
| Median (P50) | $36.51 | $292.08 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $42.21 | $337.72 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $50.98 | $407.87 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Meridian
Based on $36.51/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $36.51/hr, a dietitian and nutritionist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Meridian, ID can expect to earn approximately $75,942 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $43,813. With a cost-of-living index of 95.30 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Meridian.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Meridian
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,460.42 | $6,328 | $75,942 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $876.25 | $3,797 | $45,565 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $584.17 | $2,531 | $30,377 |
Compare DN Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dietitian and Nutritionist (Meridian) | $36.51 |
| 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 Meridian, ID earn a median of $75,931 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.34% lower than the national median of $79,380 and 0.40% above the Idaho state average of $75,629.
Dietitian and Nutritionist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $36.51/hr = $45,565/year (purchasing power: $47,812).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $75,942/year (purchasing power: $79,687).
CoL index: 95.3 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$28.18/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$35.14/hr
2026 Current Est.
$36.51/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+34.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dietitians and Nutritionists in Meridian (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.90% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $28.18/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $29.02/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $28.36/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $30.56/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $32.05/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $28.51/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $35.14/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $36.51/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $37.93/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dietitians and nutritionists in Meridian grew 24.7% from $28.18/hr (2019) to $35.14/hr (2025). At a 3.90% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $37.93/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 Meridian 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 Meridian
When considering part-time opportunities in Meridian, a dietitian or nutritionist working 24 hours a week could expect to earn around $45,174 annually, contrasting sharply with full-time income expectations. Per-diem or agency dietitians often earn between $50 and $80 per hour, and specialized services like sports nutrition consulting can command even higher rates of $80 to $150 per hour. Those venturing into cash-pay private practice might charge between $150 and $300 for a one-hour session. Hourly pay varies across different employer types; for instance, hospitals may offer consistent work but possibly lower pay than private practice positions with higher hourly rates but no health benefits. This trade-off in compensation structures often leads professionals to negotiate based on their individual needs and preferences, emphasizing the importance of understanding local market trends in Meridian as well as your own professional value.
More salary data for Meridian, ID:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for dietitians and nutritionists in Meridian in 2026?
How much do part-time dietitians and nutritionists make in Meridian?
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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 Meridian. 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 Meridian 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