Dietitian and Nutritionist Hourly Pay in Fort Dodge, IA: $33.80 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dietitian and nutritionist working in Fort Dodge, IA runs $33.80 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $70,309 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1031). Weighted against Fort Dodge's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.4, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $37.39 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $42,181 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
With a median hourly rate of $33.80 in Fort Dodge, Iowa, dietitians and nutritionists earn less than the national hourly median of $38.16. This difference signifies that professionals in this field may face a financial trade-off, particularly when engaging in part-time roles or per-diem work. For those working three days a week, this hourly pay translates to a reliable income while still allowing for flexible scheduling across various settings such as hospital clinical rounds, outpatient clinics, and community health initiatives. The hourly range for dietitian and nutritionist positions in Fort Dodge spans from $23.28 at the entry level to $42.41 for top earners, reflecting the diversity of experience and the potential for growth in their careers. These estimates are derived from annual salary data and illustrate the opportunities for both established and emerging professionals in this essential field.
About the Fort Dodge Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($64,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Dietitian and Nutritionist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $23.28 | $186.27 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $28.69 | $229.49 |
| Median (P50) | $33.80 | $270.39 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $38.82 | $310.54 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $42.41 | $339.30 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Fort Dodge
Based on $33.80/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $33.80/hr, a dietitian and nutritionist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Fort Dodge, IA can expect to earn approximately $70,301 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $40,558. With a cost-of-living index of 90.40 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Fort Dodge.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Fort Dodge
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,351.95 | $5,858 | $70,301 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $811.17 | $3,515 | $42,181 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $540.78 | $2,343 | $28,120 |
Compare DN Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dietitian and Nutritionist (Fort Dodge) | $33.80 |
| 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 Fort Dodge, IA earn a median of $70,309 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.43% lower than the national median of $79,380 and 8.20% below the Iowa state average of $76,589.
Dietitian and Nutritionist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $33.80/hr = $42,181/year (purchasing power: $46,660).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $70,301/year (purchasing power: $77,767).
CoL index: 90.4 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$26.09/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$32.53/hr
2026 Current Est.
$33.80/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+34.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dietitians and Nutritionists in Fort Dodge (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.90% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $26.09/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $26.86/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $26.25/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $28.29/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $29.67/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $25.53/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $32.53/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $33.80/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $35.12/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dietitians and nutritionists in Fort Dodge grew 24.7% from $26.09/hr (2019) to $32.53/hr (2025). At a 3.90% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $35.12/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 Fort Dodge 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 Fort Dodge
For dietitians and nutritionists in Fort Dodge, the compensation structure varies significantly, especially for those opting for part-time or per-diem work. When working 24 hours a week, a nutrition professional may earn substantially less annually compared to a full-time colleague. Per-diem roles and 1099 positions frequently command rates between $50 and $80 per hour, with specialized consulting in sports nutrition potentially reaching $150 per hour. This compensation disparity can be appealing to practitioners considering cash-pay private practice models, especially as the demand for intuitive eating approaches grows. Moreover, dietitian and nutritionist hourly pay in Fort Dodge is influenced by employer type; professionals may find differing rates in hospitals, long-term care facilities, and private practices, where higher hourly rates often come with a lack of benefits. Those negotiating offers should be mindful of this balance, as one may prefer lower hourly wages for included health insurance.
More salary data for Fort Dodge, IA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for dietitians and nutritionists in Fort Dodge in 2026?
How much do part-time dietitians and nutritionists make in Fort Dodge?
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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 Fort Dodge. 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 Fort Dodge 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