Dietitian and Nutritionist Hourly Pay in St. Cloud, MN: $40.77 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dietitian and nutritionist working in St. Cloud, MN runs $40.77 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $84,803 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1031). Weighted against St. Cloud's regional price level (BEA RPP 87.6, 12% below national), each hour of work buys what $46.52 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $50,881 per year.
Official BLS data · View source

In St. Cloud, Minnesota, a dietitian and nutritionist earns a median hourly rate of $40.77, significantly surpassing the national median of $38.16. This competitive hourly rate enables professionals in the field to enjoy flexible working arrangements, particularly for those taking on part-time roles or per-diem positions where they work three days a week. Many of these dietitians find employment in a variety of settings, including hospitals, outpatient clinics, and schools, allowing for diverse practice experiences. Those at the entry level may expect to earn around $32.71 per hour, while top earners can command up to $49.14 per hour, reflecting varying levels of experience and job responsibilities. These figures are derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data, projected for 2026 and highlighting the lucrative potential of dietitian and nutritionist hourly pay in St. Cloud.
Dietitian and Nutritionist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $32.71 | $261.66 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $32.71 | $261.66 |
| Median (P50) | $40.77 | $326.16 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $44.28 | $354.26 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $49.14 | $393.16 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in St. Cloud
Based on $40.77/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $40.77/hr, a dietitian and nutritionist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in St. Cloud, MN can expect to earn approximately $84,802 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $48,924. With a cost-of-living index of 87.63 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in St. Cloud.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in St. Cloud
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,630.81 | $7,067 | $84,802 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $978.49 | $4,240 | $50,881 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $652.33 | $2,827 | $33,921 |
Compare DN Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dietitian and Nutritionist (St. Cloud) | $40.77 |
| 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 St. Cloud, MN earn a median of $84,803 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.83% higher than the national median of $79,380 and 8.50% above the Minnesota state average of $78,160.
Dietitian and Nutritionist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $40.77/hr = $50,881/year (purchasing power: $58,063).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $84,802/year (purchasing power: $96,771).
CoL index: 87.632 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$32.28/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$39.24/hr
2026 Current Est.
$40.77/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+31.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dietitians and Nutritionists in St. Cloud (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.90% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $32.28/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $33.82/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $29.50/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $30.89/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $32.97/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $37.86/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $39.24/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $40.77/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $42.36/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dietitians and nutritionists in St. Cloud grew 21.6% from $32.28/hr (2019) to $39.24/hr (2025). At a 3.90% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $42.36/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 St. Cloud 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 St. Cloud
For those considering part-time work, a dietitian working three days each week (roughly 24 hours) can anticipate an annual income of approximately $51,000, which is significantly lower than that of full-time professionals, yet still represents a respectable earning potential. Per-diem and agency roles often allow for higher billing rates ranging from $50 to $80 per hour, especially in niche areas like sports nutrition, consulting at rates of $80 to $150 per hour, or private practice, where cash-pay RDNs might charge between $150 and $300 for a session. Hourly rates can widely vary across different employment types in St. Cloud, from clinical settings in hospitals to corporate wellness programs or private practice. Many dietitians face the decision of trading lower hourly wages for the benefits of health insurance, while others prefer the flexibility of higher hourly compensation without benefits. In this evolving market, practical negotiation strategies become crucial for hourly workers, particularly in navigating the balance between preferred work environments and financial considerations.
More salary data for St. Cloud, MN:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for dietitians and nutritionists in St. Cloud in 2026?
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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 St. Cloud. 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