Dietitian and Nutritionist Hourly Pay in Hattiesburg, MS: $31.20 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dietitian and nutritionist working in Hattiesburg, MS runs $31.20 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $64,908 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1031). Weighted against Hattiesburg's regional price level (BEA RPP 85.7, 14% below national), each hour of work buys what $36.41 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $38,939 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Hattiesburg, Mississippi, dietitians and nutritionists can expect to earn a median hourly rate of $31.20, which falls below the national median of $38.16. This discrepancy suggests that those working part-time in various settings—such as hospitals, outpatient clinics, and private practices—may find it challenging to achieve the same level of financial stability as their counterparts in other regions. With an hourly range starting from $21.20 for entry-level professionals up to $40.83 for the most experienced, this field offers varying pay opportunities based on expertise and the nature of the work setting. Many dietitians and nutritionists in Hattiesburg may find part-time roles or per-diem positions to be appealing, allowing for flexible schedules while engaging in nutrition consulting across diverse environments, from clinical hospitals to virtual telehealth offices.
About the Hattiesburg Market
Salary estimated from Mississippi average ($54,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Dietitian and Nutritionist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $21.20 | $169.56 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $26.35 | $210.79 |
| Median (P50) | $31.20 | $249.61 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $35.99 | $287.93 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $40.83 | $326.66 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Hattiesburg
Based on $31.20/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $31.20/hr, a dietitian and nutritionist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Hattiesburg, MS can expect to earn approximately $64,898 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $37,441. With a cost-of-living index of 85.70 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Hattiesburg.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Hattiesburg
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,248.05 | $5,408 | $64,898 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $748.83 | $3,245 | $38,939 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $499.22 | $2,163 | $25,959 |
Compare DN Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dietitian and Nutritionist (Hattiesburg) | $31.20 |
| 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 Hattiesburg, MS earn a median of $64,908 per year (2026 est.), which is 18.23% lower than the national median of $79,380 and 4.60% below the Mississippi state average of $68,038.
Dietitian and Nutritionist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $31.20/hr = $38,939/year (purchasing power: $45,436).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $64,898/year (purchasing power: $75,727).
CoL index: 85.7 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$21.87/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$30.03/hr
2026 Current Est.
$31.20/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+48.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dietitians and Nutritionists in Hattiesburg (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.90% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $21.87/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $24.80/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $22.55/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $27.59/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $27.18/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $27.34/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $30.03/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $31.20/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $32.42/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dietitians and nutritionists in Hattiesburg grew 37.3% from $21.87/hr (2019) to $30.03/hr (2025). At a 3.90% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $32.42/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 Hattiesburg 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 Hattiesburg
Taking into account the local context, a dietitian and nutritionist working three days a week in Hattiesburg could anticipate an annual earning of roughly $48,768, significantly lesser than a full-time salary yet offering a manageable lifestyle. For those opting for per diem positions, the hourly pay can be much higher, with rates ranging from $50 to $80, particularly for specialized consultations like sports nutrition, which can earn upwards of $150 per hour. Employers such as hospitals typically offer salaries that align more closely with the hourly median, while positions at corporate wellness programs or cash-pay private practices may afford higher compensation at the expense of benefits. As the landscape shifts toward cash-pay practice options, registered dietitian nutritionists (RDNs) are advised to negotiate their hourly rates effectively, leveraging their credentials and market demands, especially considering the new master's degree requirement for RDNs beginning in 2024.
More salary data for Hattiesburg, MS:
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 Hattiesburg. 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 Hattiesburg 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