Dietitian and Nutritionist Hourly Pay in Houma, LA: $34.74 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dietitian and nutritionist working in Houma, LA runs $34.74 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $72,260 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1031). Weighted against Houma's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.3, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $38.48 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $43,361 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Dietitians and nutritionists in Houma, Louisiana, are projected to earn a median hourly rate of $34.74 in 2026, which is slightly below the national median of $38.16. This hourly figure significantly impacts workers seeking part-time opportunities, such as those willing to work three days a week, and can be especially relevant for per-diem positions. In traditional settings like hospital clinical nutrition consult rounds or outpatient clinics, hourly work can range from $24.28 for entry-level positions to $44.33 for top earners. These figures reflect the estimated earnings based on annual salary data specific to the field. Moreover, the local cost of living, indexed at 90.3, suggests that while the hourly pay might not match national averages, it is adjusted for the economy within Houma.
About the Houma 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) | $24.28 | $194.25 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $29.91 | $239.30 |
| Median (P50) | $34.74 | $277.95 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $39.31 | $314.44 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $44.33 | $354.67 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Houma
Based on $34.74/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $34.74/hr, a dietitian and nutritionist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Houma, LA can expect to earn approximately $72,268 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $41,693. With a cost-of-living index of 90.30 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Houma.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Houma
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,389.77 | $6,022 | $72,268 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $833.86 | $3,613 | $43,361 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $555.91 | $2,409 | $28,907 |
Compare DN Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dietitian and Nutritionist (Houma) | $34.74 |
| 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 Houma, LA earn a median of $72,260 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.97% lower than the national median of $79,380 and 3.20% below the Louisiana state average of $74,649.
Dietitian and Nutritionist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $34.74/hr = $43,361/year (purchasing power: $48,019).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $72,268/year (purchasing power: $80,031).
CoL index: 90.3 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$24.70/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$33.44/hr
2026 Current Est.
$34.74/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+46.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dietitians and Nutritionists in Houma (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.90% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $24.70/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $25.80/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $28.81/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $29.08/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $30.50/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $23.52/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $33.44/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $34.74/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $36.10/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dietitians and nutritionists in Houma grew 35.4% from $24.70/hr (2019) to $33.44/hr (2025). At a 3.90% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $36.10/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 Houma 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 Houma
For those considering part-time roles, a dietitian and nutritionist working 24 hours a week could earn roughly $43,000 annually compared to a full-time position that continues to build benefits and consistent income. Per-diem dietitians often have the flexibility to dictate their rates, typically billing between $50 and $80 an hour, while specialized services like sports nutrition can command $80 to $150. In contrast, cash-pay private practice RDNs may charge clients $150 to $300 for a 60-minute session. The potential variation in hourly pay across different employer types in Houma can be quite substantial. Some dietitians opt for lower hourly wages in exchange for benefits such as health insurance, while others choose more lucrative, yet less stable, positions without these benefits. Effective negotiation strategies can enhance hourly pay, whether you’re at a hospital or running a private practice in Houma, particularly as changes in credential requirements and cash-pay models reshape the sector.
More salary data for Houma, LA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for dietitians and nutritionists in Houma in 2026?
How much do part-time dietitians and nutritionists make in Houma?
Are dietitians and nutritionists in Houma paid hourly or salary?
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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 Houma. 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 Houma 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