Dietitian and Nutritionist Hourly Pay in Hernando, MS: $30.79 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dietitian and nutritionist working in Hernando, MS runs $30.79 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $64,042 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1031). Weighted against Hernando's regional price level (BEA RPP 85.7, 14% below national), each hour of work buys what $35.92 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $38,420 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Dietitians and nutritionists in Hernando, Mississippi, earn a median hourly rate of $30.79 in 2026, which falls short of the national median of $38.16. This discrepancy highlights the challenges faced by professionals in the region, especially those working part-time or on a per-diem basis. For example, a part-time dietitian, working three days a week and totaling around 24 hours, would earn approximately $3,703 monthly, translating to about $44,433 annually. The hourly pay range varies significantly, from $19.80 for entry-level positions to $40.15 for top earners, indicating a potential for upward mobility in the profession. These estimated hourly rates, derived from annual salary figures, indicate an array of settings where dietitians provide services, including clinical nutrition consults in hospitals, outpatient counseling offices, and community health settings.
About the Hernando 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) | $19.80 | $158.43 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $26.38 | $211.04 |
| Median (P50) | $30.79 | $246.28 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $35.58 | $284.60 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $40.15 | $321.18 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Hernando
Based on $30.79/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $30.79/hr, a dietitian and nutritionist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Hernando, MS can expect to earn approximately $64,034 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $36,943. With a cost-of-living index of 85.70 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Hernando.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Hernando
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,231.42 | $5,336 | $64,034 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $738.85 | $3,202 | $38,420 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $492.57 | $2,134 | $25,614 |
Compare DN Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dietitian and Nutritionist (Hernando) | $30.79 |
| 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 Hernando, MS earn a median of $64,042 per year (2026 est.), which is 19.32% lower than the national median of $79,380 and 5.90% below the Mississippi state average of $68,057.
Dietitian and Nutritionist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $30.79/hr = $38,420/year (purchasing power: $44,831).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $64,034/year (purchasing power: $74,719).
CoL index: 85.7 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$23.76/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$29.63/hr
2026 Current Est.
$30.79/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+34.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dietitians and Nutritionists in Hernando (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.90% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $23.76/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $24.47/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $23.91/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $25.77/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $27.02/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $20.95/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $29.63/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $30.79/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $31.99/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dietitians and nutritionists in Hernando grew 24.7% from $23.76/hr (2019) to $29.63/hr (2025). At a 3.90% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $31.99/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 Hernando 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 Hernando
Evaluating the financial landscape for dietitians and nutritionists in Hernando reveals a deciding factor for many who choose to work part-time versus full-time. A dietitian working 24 hours weekly may take home just over $44,000 annually, while full-time positions could yield more benefits and job stability. In the per-diem world, independent dietitians can command between $50 and $80 per hour, especially for sports nutrition consulting or cash-based private practice, where rates can reach $150 to $300 for a 60-minute session. However, hourly rates vary across employer types; those in hospital settings may earn less than private practitioners who enjoy greater autonomy. Many professionals weigh the benefits of employment, such as health insurance, against potentially higher pay in contract roles that offer no benefits. For those operating in Hernando, effective negotiation strategies can lead to better compensation, particularly in establishing fees for specialized services or ensuring competitive salaries in clinical environments. Understanding the local market, along with the implications of the master's degree requirement by CDR in 2024, can inform strategic career decisions.
More salary data for Hernando, MS:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for dietitians and nutritionists in Hernando in 2026?
How much do part-time dietitians and nutritionists make in Hernando?
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Do dietitians and nutritionists earn more per hour working part-time in Hernando?
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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 Hernando. 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 Hernando 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