Dietitian and Nutritionist Hourly Pay in Kirkwood, MO: $31.59 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dietitian and nutritionist working in Kirkwood, MO runs $31.59 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $65,706 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1031). Weighted against Kirkwood's regional price level (BEA RPP 89.6, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $35.25 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $39,419 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Dietitians and nutritionists in Kirkwood, MO, can expect a median hourly pay of $31.59 in 2026, which reflects the local market's compensation levels for this profession. This figure falls short of the national hourly median of $38.16, indicating a regional discrepancy that might impact recruitment and retention of qualified professionals. For those working part-time, like in hospital nutrition consult rounds or outpatient clinics, the hourly rate can still offer a competitive edge, especially when working three days a week. Entry-level dietitians and nutritionists can start around $20.92 per hour, whereas top earners may reach as high as $41.85. These hourly rates are essential to consider for those contemplating work in diverse settings, such as schools, long-term care facilities, and sports nutrition consulting, where flexibility and hourly compensation are vital.
About the Kirkwood Market
Salary estimated from Missouri average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Dietitian and Nutritionist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $20.92 | $167.32 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $26.23 | $209.88 |
| Median (P50) | $31.59 | $252.68 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $36.67 | $293.33 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $41.85 | $334.81 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Kirkwood
Based on $31.59/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $31.59/hr, a dietitian and nutritionist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Kirkwood, MO can expect to earn approximately $65,698 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $37,903. With a cost-of-living index of 89.60 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Kirkwood.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Kirkwood
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,263.42 | $5,475 | $65,698 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $758.05 | $3,285 | $39,419 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $505.37 | $2,190 | $26,279 |
Compare DN Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dietitian and Nutritionist (Kirkwood) | $31.59 |
| 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 Kirkwood, MO earn a median of $65,706 per year (2026 est.), which is 17.23% lower than the national median of $79,380 and 0.80% below the Missouri state average of $66,236.
Dietitian and Nutritionist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $31.59/hr = $39,419/year (purchasing power: $43,994).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $65,698/year (purchasing power: $73,324).
CoL index: 89.6 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$24.38/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$30.40/hr
2026 Current Est.
$31.59/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+34.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dietitians and Nutritionists in Kirkwood (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.90% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $24.38/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $25.10/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $24.53/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $26.44/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $27.73/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $26.49/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $30.40/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $31.59/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $32.82/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dietitians and nutritionists in Kirkwood grew 24.7% from $24.38/hr (2019) to $30.40/hr (2025). At a 3.90% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $32.82/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 Kirkwood 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 Kirkwood
Part-time dietitians and nutritionists aiming for 24 hours a week could anticipate a take-home pay significantly lower than their full-time counterparts. Annual earnings for those working in a part-time capacity are naturally less, but they can still achieve a comfortable living depending on their exact roles. Many per-diem or freelance providers in Kirkwood can see rates ranging from $50-$80 per hour, particularly for specialized services in sports nutrition or cash-pay private practice, which may charge clients $150-$300 for a single session. Hourly rates also fluctuate across different employer types like hospitals, outpatient clinics, and schools, where benefits such as health insurance may justify lower hourly rates. Negotiating terms effectively becomes essential, especially in a local market where the trade-off between benefits and hourly pay shapes the employment landscape in this field.
More salary data for Kirkwood, MO:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for dietitians and nutritionists in Kirkwood in 2026?
How much do part-time dietitians and nutritionists make in Kirkwood?
Are dietitians and nutritionists in Kirkwood paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time dietitian and nutritionist make per year in Kirkwood?
Do dietitians and nutritionists earn more per hour working part-time in Kirkwood?
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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 Kirkwood. 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 Kirkwood 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