Dietitian and Nutritionist Hourly Pay in Waterloo, IA: $36.97 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dietitian and nutritionist working in Waterloo, IA runs $36.97 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $76,896 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1031). Weighted against Waterloo's regional price level (BEA RPP 87.1, 13% below national), each hour of work buys what $42.46 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $46,136 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Waterloo, IA, the dietitian and nutritionist hourly pay is projected to reach $36.97 in 2026, which is slightly below the national hourly median of $38.16. This wage provides a solid income for those considering part-time opportunities, such as three-day workweeks in settings like outpatient clinics, long-term care facilities, and school nutrition programs. Per-diem workers in this field can also found themselves earning anywhere from $30.57, which reflects entry-level positions, to as high as $49.14 for more experienced professionals. Given this spectrum, dietitians and nutritionists can tailor their work schedules to meet personal and professional goals, balancing hours across various roles in clinical nutrition rounds or private practice telehealth settings.
Dietitian and Nutritionist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $30.57 | $244.54 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $33.04 | $264.32 |
| Median (P50) | $36.97 | $295.74 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $39.78 | $318.27 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $49.14 | $393.16 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Waterloo
Based on $36.97/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $36.97/hr, a dietitian and nutritionist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Waterloo, IA can expect to earn approximately $76,893 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $44,361. With a cost-of-living index of 87.06 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Waterloo.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Waterloo
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,478.70 | $6,408 | $76,893 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $887.22 | $3,845 | $46,136 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $591.48 | $2,563 | $30,757 |
Compare DN Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dietitian and Nutritionist (Waterloo) | $36.97 |
| 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 Waterloo, IA earn a median of $76,896 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.13% lower than the national median of $79,380 and 0.40% above the Iowa state average of $76,590.
Dietitian and Nutritionist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $36.97/hr = $46,136/year (purchasing power: $52,995).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $76,893/year (purchasing power: $88,324).
CoL index: 87.057 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$26.91/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$35.58/hr
2026 Current Est.
$36.97/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+42.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dietitians and Nutritionists in Waterloo (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.90% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $26.91/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $30.19/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $29.50/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $29.33/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $28.43/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $27.07/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $35.58/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $36.97/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $38.41/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dietitians and nutritionists in Waterloo grew 32.2% from $26.91/hr (2019) to $35.58/hr (2025). At a 3.90% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $38.41/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 Waterloo 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 Waterloo
Looking closer at part-time work, a dietitian or nutritionist working 24 hours per week can expect to take home roughly $46,097 annually. That figure represents a significant difference compared to full-time positions, which typically yield greater annual compensation through additional hours. Many practitioners choose per-diem or agency roles, often billing $50 to $80 per hour—sometimes even more in specialized areas like sports nutrition, where fees can go up to $150. In Waterloo, the hourly rates vary depending on the type of employer, with lower pay often found in public health settings but offset by benefits like health insurance. In contrast, those who operate cash-pay private practices might command higher hourly fees but face the challenges associated with client acquisition and insurance handling. Negotiating an hourly rate requires understanding local market dynamics, ensuring that the value of experience and specialization is effectively communicated to potential employers.
More salary data for Waterloo, IA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for dietitians and nutritionists in Waterloo in 2026?
How much do part-time dietitians and nutritionists make in Waterloo?
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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 Waterloo. 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