Dietitian and Nutritionist Hourly Pay in Wheaton, IL: $31.18 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dietitian and nutritionist working in Wheaton, IL runs $31.18 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $64,849 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1031). Weighted against Wheaton's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.1, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $32.11 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $38,913 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

With a median hourly rate of $31.18, dietitians and nutritionists in Wheaton, Illinois, are earning significantly less than their counterparts nationally, where the median hourly rate stands at $38.16. This discrepancy affects not only full-time professionals but also part-time staff and per-diem workers who may operate in various settings such as hospitals, outpatient clinics, and private practices. For those working three days a week, the reliable income from this hourly wage still provides a reasonable living, albeit with more modest earnings compared to peers in different geographical areas. For entry-level practitioners, starting rates begin around $21.03, while the most experienced earners can make up to $42.70 per hour depending on the specific employer and setting.
About the Wheaton Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($68,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Dietitian and Nutritionist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $21.03 | $168.23 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $26.26 | $210.04 |
| Median (P50) | $31.18 | $249.44 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $36.82 | $294.58 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $42.70 | $341.62 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Wheaton
Based on $31.18/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $31.18/hr, a dietitian and nutritionist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Wheaton, IL can expect to earn approximately $64,855 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $37,416. With a cost-of-living index of 97.10 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Wheaton.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Wheaton
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,247.22 | $5,405 | $64,855 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $748.33 | $3,243 | $38,913 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $498.89 | $2,162 | $25,942 |
Compare DN Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dietitian and Nutritionist (Wheaton) | $31.18 |
| 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 Wheaton, IL earn a median of $64,849 per year (2026 est.), which is 18.31% lower than the national median of $79,380 and 1.70% below the Illinois state average of $65,971.
Dietitian and Nutritionist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $31.18/hr = $38,913/year (purchasing power: $40,075).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $64,855/year (purchasing power: $66,792).
CoL index: 97.1 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$24.07/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$30.01/hr
2026 Current Est.
$31.18/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+34.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dietitians and Nutritionists in Wheaton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.90% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $24.07/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $24.78/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $24.22/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $26.10/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $27.37/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $31.20/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $30.01/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $31.18/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $32.40/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dietitians and nutritionists in Wheaton grew 24.7% from $24.07/hr (2019) to $30.01/hr (2025). At a 3.90% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $32.40/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 Wheaton 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 Wheaton
Part-time dietitians and nutritionists working a typical 24-hour week could expect to earn roughly $38,000 annually, considerably less than what full-time colleagues might achieve. For those exploring per-diem opportunities, compensation rates vary widely; many professionals bill between $50 and $80 per hour for temporary placements, while specialized services such as sports nutrition consulting could climb to $80-$150 per hour. Cash-based private practice registered dietitian nutritionists (RDNs) may charge from $150 to $300 per session, resonating with the growing trend in cash-pay models as insurance reimbursements become increasingly complex. Hourly rates differ across various employer types in Wheaton, including hospital nutrition departments and long-term care facilities. Some dietitians opt for lower hourly rates in exchange for benefits such as healthcare, while others prioritize higher pay without the benefits packages. When negotiating hourly pay, potential applicants in Wheaton should research typical compensation rates and clearly articulate their value to prospective employers, ensuring they can secure a fair wage reflective of their qualifications and the local market demand.
More salary data for Wheaton, IL:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 Wheaton. 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 Wheaton 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