Dietitian and Nutritionist Hourly Pay in Iowa City, IA: $32.68 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dietitian and nutritionist working in Iowa City, IA runs $32.68 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $67,971 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1031). Weighted against Iowa City's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.5, 8% below national), each hour of work buys what $35.71 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $40,780 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Iowa City, dietitians and nutritionists earn a median hourly rate of $32.68, which sits below the national median of $38.16. This discrepancy makes the profession's compensation appealing to some, especially those considering part-time positions, such as working three days a week or in per-diem roles. Such arrangements often cater to various settings, including hospitals, outpatient clinics, and long-term care facilities, offering flexibility in scheduling. For entry-level practitioners, hourly wages begin at approximately $27.26, while more experienced professionals can command rates as high as $45.79. The data presented here is rooted in the latest BLS projections for 2026, indicating solid pay potential for dietitians and nutritionists in this vibrant Iowa community.
Dietitian and Nutritionist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $27.26 | $218.11 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $27.26 | $218.11 |
| Median (P50) | $32.68 | $261.41 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $42.44 | $339.55 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $45.79 | $366.31 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Iowa City
Based on $32.68/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $32.68/hr, a dietitian and nutritionist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Iowa City, IA can expect to earn approximately $67,967 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $39,212. With a cost-of-living index of 91.51 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Iowa City.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Iowa City
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,307.06 | $5,664 | $67,967 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $784.24 | $3,398 | $40,780 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $522.82 | $2,266 | $27,187 |
Compare DN Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dietitian and Nutritionist (Iowa City) | $32.68 |
| 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 Iowa City, IA earn a median of $67,971 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.37% lower than the national median of $79,380 and 11.30% below the Iowa state average of $76,631.
Dietitian and Nutritionist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $32.68/hr = $40,780/year (purchasing power: $44,564).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $67,967/year (purchasing power: $74,274).
CoL index: 91.509 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$18.73/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$31.45/hr
2026 Current Est.
$32.68/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+81.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dietitians and Nutritionists in Iowa City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.90% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $18.73/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $21.42/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $29.58/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $31.13/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $29.21/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $30.35/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $31.45/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $32.68/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $33.95/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dietitians and nutritionists in Iowa City grew 67.9% from $18.73/hr (2019) to $31.45/hr (2025). At a 3.90% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $33.95/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 Iowa City 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 Iowa City
For those working part-time—specifically a 24-hour weekly schedule—the annual income may not substantially match that of full-time counterparts, potentially yielding an income that showcases the lower limits of the profession. However, many in the field are drawn to per diem opportunities, where dietitians and nutritionists can bill between $50 and $80 an hour, and even more lucrative prospects exist in niche areas such as sports nutrition or private practice, with rates soaring between $150 and $300 per hour. Employment settings in Iowa City greatly influence hourly pay; for instance, those in hospital departments or school districts often receive different compensatory structures compared to private practice or corporate wellness programs. As many seek the security of benefits, particularly in full-time roles, skilled negotiators can strategically balance hourly pay against health insurance and retirement benefits, allowing for tailored career paths in this essential field.
More salary data for Iowa City, IA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for dietitians and nutritionists in Iowa City in 2026?
How much do part-time dietitians and nutritionists make in Iowa City?
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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 Iowa City. 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