Dietitian and Nutritionist Hourly Pay in Traverse City, MI: $29.91 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dietitian and nutritionist working in Traverse City, MI runs $29.91 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $62,226 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1031). Weighted against Traverse City's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.4, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $32.04 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $37,331 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
For dietitians and nutritionists in Traverse City, the median hourly pay is set at $29.91, which is significantly lower than the national median of $38.16 per hour. This hourly wage can have varied implications for those working part-time or as per-diem professionals in different settings, such as hospitals or outpatient clinics. A dietitian or nutritionist working three days a week might expect to earn around $28,000 annually, while engaging in per diem roles allows for more flexibility, with rates typically ranging from $50 to $80 an hour for agency roles. The local hourly pay range for dietitians and nutritionists varies from $18.65 at entry-level positions to $48.80 for the most experienced professionals, according to 2026 estimates based on 2025 BLS data.
Dietitian and Nutritionist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $18.65 | $149.20 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $24.44 | $195.50 |
| Median (P50) | $29.91 | $239.30 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $38.71 | $309.71 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $48.80 | $390.41 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Traverse City
Based on $29.91/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $29.91/hr, a dietitian and nutritionist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Traverse City, MI can expect to earn approximately $62,219 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $35,895. With a cost-of-living index of 93.37 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Traverse City.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Traverse City
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,196.51 | $5,185 | $62,219 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $717.91 | $3,111 | $37,331 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $478.60 | $2,074 | $24,887 |
Compare DN Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dietitian and Nutritionist (Traverse City) | $29.91 |
| 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 Traverse City, MI earn a median of $62,226 per year (2026 est.), which is 21.61% lower than the national median of $79,380 and 11.10% below the Michigan state average of $69,995.
Dietitian and Nutritionist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $29.91/hr = $37,331/year (purchasing power: $39,981).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $62,219/year (purchasing power: $66,635).
CoL index: 93.372 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$23.09/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$28.79/hr
2026 Current Est.
$29.91/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+34.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dietitians and Nutritionists in Traverse City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.90% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $23.09/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $23.77/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $23.23/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $25.04/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $26.26/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $27.14/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $28.79/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $29.91/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $31.08/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dietitians and nutritionists in Traverse City grew 24.7% from $23.09/hr (2019) to $28.79/hr (2025). At a 3.90% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $31.08/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 Traverse 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 Traverse City
A part-time dietitian or nutritionist, working 24 hours a week, may take home about $37,161 annually, which reflects a notable difference compared to full-time professionals who may earn significantly more. Per-diem or independent contractors in this field can command higher pay rates, especially in specialized areas such as sports nutrition, where consultation fees can reach $80 to $150 per hour, or cash-paying private practices that charge between $150 and $300 for a one-hour session. The actual hourly rates can fluctuate significantly based on the employer, from hospitals and long-term care facilities to outpatient clinics and corporate wellness programs. While some may opt for positions that offer lower hourly rates in exchange for benefits like health insurance, others might prioritize higher pay without benefits. For those looking to negotiate their hourly compensation in Traverse City, it’s prudent to research typical pay rates for similar roles and be clear about one’s qualifications and the value they bring to potential employers.
More salary data for Traverse City, MI:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for dietitians and nutritionists in Traverse City in 2026?
How much do part-time dietitians and nutritionists make in Traverse 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 Traverse 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
Source: BLS, OEWS, 2-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