Dietitian and Nutritionist Hourly Pay in Moorhead, MN: $36.16 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dietitian and nutritionist working in Moorhead, MN runs $36.16 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $75,197 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1031). Weighted against Moorhead's regional price level (BEA RPP 98.5, 1% below national), each hour of work buys what $36.71 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $45,124 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

Dietitians and nutritionists in Moorhead, MN, earn a median hourly pay of $36.16, which is slightly lower than the national median of $38.16. This figure paints a vivid picture for part-time professionals working three days a week or those engaging in per-diem roles within diverse settings like hospitals, long-term care facilities, outpatient clinics, and private practices. The hourly earnings range from $25.07 for entry-level positions to approximately $49.13 for top earners in the field. Considering that these hourly rates are derived from annual salary data, they reflect the potential for dietitians and nutritionists in Moorhead to take advantage of varied job opportunities while balancing work-centric life with personal commitments.
About the Moorhead Market
Salary estimated from Minnesota average ($72,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Dietitian and Nutritionist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $25.07 | $200.57 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $30.86 | $246.87 |
| Median (P50) | $36.16 | $289.26 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $40.70 | $325.58 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $49.13 | $393.07 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Moorhead
Based on $36.16/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $36.16/hr, a dietitian and nutritionist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Moorhead, MN can expect to earn approximately $75,207 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $43,389. With a cost-of-living index of 98.50 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Moorhead.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Moorhead
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,446.29 | $6,267 | $75,207 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $867.77 | $3,760 | $45,124 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $578.52 | $2,507 | $30,083 |
Compare DN Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dietitian and Nutritionist (Moorhead) | $36.16 |
| 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 Moorhead, MN earn a median of $75,197 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.27% lower than the national median of $79,380 and 3.80% below the Minnesota state average of $78,167.
Dietitian and Nutritionist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $36.16/hr = $45,124/year (purchasing power: $45,811).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $75,207/year (purchasing power: $76,352).
CoL index: 98.5 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$27.91/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$34.80/hr
2026 Current Est.
$36.16/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+34.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dietitians and Nutritionists in Moorhead (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.90% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $27.91/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $28.74/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $28.08/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $30.27/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $31.74/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $32.79/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $34.80/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $36.16/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $37.57/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dietitians and nutritionists in Moorhead grew 24.7% from $27.91/hr (2019) to $34.80/hr (2025). At a 3.90% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $37.57/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 Moorhead 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 Moorhead
Analyzing the potential income for part-time dietitians and nutritionists reveals a significant difference when compared to full-time employment. A professional working 24 hours per week would take home around $45,000 annually, based on standard hours at the median rate. Those opting for per-diem roles typically bill between $50 and $80 per hour, with specialized sports nutrition consulting earning as much as $150 per hour. Hourly rates can vary widely across different employer types in Moorhead, including hospitals, outpatient clinics, and corporate wellness programs. Many opt for positions with lower hourly rates that come with benefits like health insurance, a trade-off that some consider worthwhile compared to higher pay with fewer perks. For those negotiating hourly pay, especially in Moorhead's unique market, it may be advantageous to highlight experience and the emerging cash-pay practice model, which is gaining traction.
More salary data for Moorhead, MN:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for dietitians and nutritionists in Moorhead in 2026?
How much do part-time dietitians and nutritionists make in Moorhead?
Are dietitians and nutritionists in Moorhead paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time dietitian and nutritionist make per year in Moorhead?
Do dietitians and nutritionists earn more per hour working part-time in Moorhead?
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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 Moorhead. 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 Moorhead 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