Dietitian and Nutritionist Hourly Pay in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY: $36.87 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dietitian and nutritionist working in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY runs $36.87 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $76,689 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1031). Weighted against Louisville/Jefferson County's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.1, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $39.62 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $46,019 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Louisville/Jefferson County, Kentucky, the dietitian and nutritionist hourly pay stands at a median of $36.87, which is slightly below the national hourly median of $38.16. This hourly rate creates opportunities for various working arrangements, appealing especially to part-time and per-diem professionals. Those working three days a week can expect to earn a stable income through roles in different settings, such as hospital clinical nutrition consultations, outpatient clinics, and WIC counseling offices. With entry-level positions starting around $15.91, the pay can rise significantly, reaching up to $44.90 for experienced dietitians and nutritionists in prestigious roles across various sectors. Official estimates based on 2025 BLS data, projected to 2026, indicate a healthy demand for the approximately 350 practitioners in this field within Louisville/Jefferson County.
Dietitian and Nutritionist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $15.91 | $127.26 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $24.29 | $194.33 |
| Median (P50) | $36.87 | $294.99 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $39.71 | $317.68 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $44.90 | $359.16 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Louisville/Jefferson County
Based on $36.87/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $36.87/hr, a dietitian and nutritionist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY can expect to earn approximately $76,698 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $44,249. With a cost-of-living index of 93.07 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Louisville/Jefferson County.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Louisville/Jefferson County
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,474.96 | $6,392 | $76,698 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $884.98 | $3,835 | $46,019 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $589.99 | $2,557 | $30,679 |
Compare DN Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dietitian and Nutritionist (Louisville/Jefferson County) | $36.87 |
| 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 Louisville/Jefferson County, KY earn a median of $76,689 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.39% lower than the national median of $79,380 and 8.20% above the Kentucky state average of $70,877.
Dietitian and Nutritionist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $36.87/hr = $46,019/year (purchasing power: $49,443).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $76,698/year (purchasing power: $82,406).
CoL index: 93.074 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$28.87/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$35.49/hr
2026 Current Est.
$36.87/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+32.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dietitians and Nutritionists in Louisville/Jefferson County (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.90% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $28.87/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $28.54/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $29.50/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $30.56/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $30.18/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $34.21/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $35.49/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $36.87/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $38.31/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dietitians and nutritionists in Louisville/Jefferson County grew 22.9% from $28.87/hr (2019) to $35.49/hr (2025). At a 3.90% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $38.31/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 Louisville/Jefferson County 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 Louisville/Jefferson County
When considering part-time work, a dietitian or nutritionist operating three days a week, totaling about 24 hours, could potentially take home approximately $46,000 annually. In contrast, per-diem and locum dietitians often have the flexibility to charge between $50 to $80 per hour, particularly for specialized consulting roles in sports or cash-pay practices, where fees can reach between $150 to $300 for a single session. This variation in hourly earnings reflects the diverse employment settings, such as hospitals, long-term care facilities, and private practices. Accepting lower hourly rates typically comes with the trade-off of health benefits, making it necessary for professionals to balance their desire for job security with the flexibility and potentially higher earnings of a per diem dietitian and nutritionist pay in Louisville/Jefferson County. For successful salary negotiations, understanding the specific employer context, whether in a public health role or a corporate wellness program, is crucial in securing an optimal hourly rate.
More salary data for Louisville/Jefferson County, KY:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for dietitians and nutritionists in Louisville/Jefferson County in 2026?
How much do part-time dietitians and nutritionists make in Louisville/Jefferson County?
Are dietitians and nutritionists in Louisville/Jefferson County paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time dietitian and nutritionist make per year in Louisville/Jefferson County?
Do dietitians and nutritionists earn more per hour working part-time in Louisville/Jefferson County?
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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 Louisville/Jefferson County. 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