Dietitian and Nutritionist Hourly Pay in Southaven, MS: $32.18 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dietitian and nutritionist working in Southaven, MS runs $32.18 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $66,920 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1031). Weighted against Southaven's regional price level (BEA RPP 85.7, 14% below national), each hour of work buys what $37.55 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $40,158 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In 2026, the dietitian and nutritionist hourly pay in Southaven, Mississippi, is projected to be $32.18, which is significantly lower than the national hourly median of $38.16. This salary structure provides an interesting perspective for those considering part-time roles or per-diem work in settings like hospital clinical nutrition consult rounds, long-term care dining rooms, outpatient clinics, and private practices. With an hourly range from $21.75 for entry-level positions to $42.08 for the top earners, the potential for flexible scheduling caters well to professionals looking to balance their career and personal life. Practitioners can expect varying pay rates depending on the specific nature of their work, impacting earnings for different work arrangements.
About the Southaven 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) | $21.75 | $173.97 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $27.13 | $217.03 |
| Median (P50) | $32.18 | $257.42 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $36.81 | $294.49 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $42.08 | $336.64 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Southaven
Based on $32.18/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $32.18/hr, a dietitian and nutritionist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Southaven, MS can expect to earn approximately $66,930 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $38,613. With a cost-of-living index of 85.70 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Southaven.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Southaven
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,287.11 | $5,577 | $66,930 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $772.27 | $3,346 | $40,158 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $514.85 | $2,231 | $26,772 |
Compare DN Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dietitian and Nutritionist (Southaven) | $32.18 |
| 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 Southaven, MS earn a median of $66,920 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.70% lower than the national median of $79,380 and 1.60% below the Mississippi state average of $68,008.
Dietitian and Nutritionist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $32.18/hr = $40,158/year (purchasing power: $46,859).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $66,930/year (purchasing power: $78,098).
CoL index: 85.7 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$24.84/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$30.97/hr
2026 Current Est.
$32.18/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+34.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dietitians and Nutritionists in Southaven (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.90% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $24.84/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $25.57/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $24.99/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $26.94/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $28.25/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $21.89/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $30.97/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $32.18/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $33.43/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dietitians and nutritionists in Southaven grew 24.7% from $24.84/hr (2019) to $30.97/hr (2025). At a 3.90% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $33.43/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 Southaven 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 Southaven
Part-time dietitians and nutritionists working three days a week, typically around 24 hours, can expect to make approximately $39,106 annually, which contrasts sharply with full-time salaries. For those taking on per-diem positions or agency work, the market currently allows for billing rates between $50 and $80 per hour, with specialized niches like sports nutrition consulting commanding much higher rates, often between $80 and $150 per hour. In Southaven, the hourly rates may differ depending on the employer type; for example, hospital settings generally offer lower hourly wages while private practices can provide higher compensation but may lack health insurance benefits. Many choose the lower hourly rate in hospital settings for the security of benefits over the potentially higher pay with no coverage in more independent roles. It can be advantageous to negotiate based on local market trends, emphasizing flexibility, to secure positions that align with individual career goals and lifestyle preferences.
More salary data for Southaven, 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 Southaven. 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 Southaven 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