Dietitian and Nutritionist Hourly Pay in Central, LA: $34.49 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dietitian and nutritionist working in Central, LA runs $34.49 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $71,744 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1031). Weighted against Central's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.3, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $38.20 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $43,050 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Central, Louisiana, the projected hourly pay for dietitians and nutritionists is $34.49, which is notably below the national hourly median of $38.16. This wage reflects the profession’s local market conditions and can impact job flexibility, especially for those seeking part-time opportunities or per-diem positions. For individuals working three days a week, this represents a promising income level for various settings, including hospitals, outpatient clinics, and private practice, where they can earn from entry-level rates of $23.71 to top-tier earnings of $45.67 per hour. These figures, estimated from annual salary projections, highlight the potential for dietitian and nutritionist hourly pay in Central, supporting flexible work arrangements amid growing demand for nutrition counseling and support across community health sectors.
About the Central Market
Salary estimated from Louisiana average ($56,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Dietitian and Nutritionist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $23.71 | $189.68 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $29.39 | $235.15 |
| Median (P50) | $34.49 | $275.96 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $40.02 | $320.18 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $45.67 | $365.40 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Central
Based on $34.49/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $34.49/hr, a dietitian and nutritionist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Central, LA can expect to earn approximately $71,749 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $41,394. With a cost-of-living index of 90.30 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Central.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Central
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,379.79 | $5,979 | $71,749 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $827.88 | $3,587 | $43,050 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $551.92 | $2,392 | $28,700 |
Compare DN Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dietitian and Nutritionist (Central) | $34.49 |
| 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 Central, LA earn a median of $71,744 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.62% lower than the national median of $79,380 and 3.90% below the Louisiana state average of $74,656.
Dietitian and Nutritionist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $34.49/hr = $43,050/year (purchasing power: $47,674).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $71,749/year (purchasing power: $79,456).
CoL index: 90.3 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$26.63/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$33.20/hr
2026 Current Est.
$34.49/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+34.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dietitians and Nutritionists in Central (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.90% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $26.63/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $27.42/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $26.79/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $28.88/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $30.28/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $23.35/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $33.20/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $34.49/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $35.84/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dietitians and nutritionists in Central grew 24.7% from $26.63/hr (2019) to $33.20/hr (2025). At a 3.90% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $35.84/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 Central 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 Central
Examining the financial landscape for dietitians and nutritionists in Central, LA, a part-time dietitian working 24 hours per week could expect a significantly lower annual income than their full-time counterparts. Many per-diem professionals, billing rates often between $50 and $80 an hour, potentially earn much more due to the lack of benefits tied to their status. When it comes to specific settings, hourly rates can shift dramatically based on employer type; for example, clinical positions in hospitals may offer lower compensation compared to consulting roles with sports teams, where rates soar from $80 to $150 per hour. Dietitians sometimes weigh the prospect of lower hourly pay for stable health benefits against the lure of higher rates without such coverage. For those considering negotiating their pay, it would be beneficial to emphasize unique skills or the growing demand for services, particularly in cash-pay private practices where RDNs can command $150 to $300 per session.
More salary data for Central, LA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 Central. 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 Central 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