Dietitian and Nutritionist Hourly Pay in Garden City, KS: $34.38 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dietitian and nutritionist working in Garden City, KS runs $34.38 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $71,511 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1031). Weighted against Garden City's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.9, 9% below national), each hour of work buys what $37.82 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $42,907 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

Dietitians and nutritionists in Garden City, Kansas, earn a median hourly rate of $34.38, which is noticeably lower than the national median of $38.16. This discrepancy may influence part-time workers and per-diem professionals within the field. For instance, those who work three days a week typically accumulate approximately 72 hours monthly, translating to about $2,477, highlighting the potential trade-offs for roles in hospitals, outpatient clinics, and private practice settings. Entry-level positions may start around $22.68 per hour, while experienced dietitians can earn as much as $44.19 an hour, reflecting the varying demand for nutrition expertise across diverse environments like long-term care facilities and sports teams. Overall, these wage estimates derived from annual salary figures underscore the financial considerations that both aspiring and established nutrition professionals need to factor into their career paths in Garden City and beyond.
About the Garden City Market
Salary estimated from Kansas average ($60,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Dietitian and Nutritionist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $22.68 | $181.45 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $28.52 | $228.16 |
| Median (P50) | $34.38 | $275.04 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $39.90 | $319.18 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $44.19 | $353.51 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Garden City
Based on $34.38/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $34.38/hr, a dietitian and nutritionist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Garden City, KS can expect to earn approximately $71,511 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $41,257. With a cost-of-living index of 90.90 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Garden City.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Garden City
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,375.22 | $5,959 | $71,511 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $825.13 | $3,576 | $42,907 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $550.09 | $2,384 | $28,605 |
Compare DN Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dietitian and Nutritionist (Garden City) | $34.38 |
| 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 Garden City, KS earn a median of $71,511 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.91% lower than the national median of $79,380 and 0.90% below the Kansas state average of $72,161.
Dietitian and Nutritionist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $34.38/hr = $42,907/year (purchasing power: $47,202).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $71,511/year (purchasing power: $78,670).
CoL index: 90.9 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$26.54/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$33.09/hr
2026 Current Est.
$34.38/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+34.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dietitians and Nutritionists in Garden City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.90% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $26.54/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $27.33/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $26.70/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $28.78/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $30.18/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $25.99/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $33.09/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $34.38/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $35.72/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dietitians and nutritionists in Garden City grew 24.7% from $26.54/hr (2019) to $33.09/hr (2025). At a 3.90% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $35.72/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 Garden 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 Garden City
Yearly earnings for a dietitian and nutritionist working part-time in Garden City can vary significantly compared to those in full-time positions. An individual working 24 hours a week could see an annual income around $29,000, while full-time specialists typically earn much more, complete with benefits. In contrast, per-diem and agency dietitians may bill rates between $50 and $80 per hour, a far cry from the hourly pay structures seen in standard employment settings. Particularly in niche areas like sports nutrition consulting, the rates can spike to $80-$150 an hour, while cash-pay private practice dietitians often charge between $150 and $300 for a 60-minute session. There is a notable difference in hourly rates depending on the employer type; those in clinical settings or governmental roles often settle for modest wages but with benefits, while others might prefer higher hourly rates without the security that comes with employer-provided healthcare. For dietitians navigating their pay negotiations, it’s advisable to consider the comprehensive value of the compensation package offered, whether it's through health benefits in traditional roles or more lucrative hourly rates as independent practitioners in the growing cash-pay landscape.
More salary data for Garden City, KS:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for dietitians and nutritionists in Garden City in 2026?
How much do part-time dietitians and nutritionists make in Garden City?
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Do dietitians and nutritionists earn more per hour working part-time in Garden 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 Garden 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
Salary data for Garden City 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