Dietitian and Nutritionist Hourly Pay in Liberty, MO: $31.39 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dietitian and nutritionist working in Liberty, MO runs $31.39 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $65,290 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1031). Weighted against Liberty's regional price level (BEA RPP 89.6, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $35.03 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $39,172 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Liberty, Missouri, dietitian and nutritionist hourly pay is projected to reach a median of $31.39 in 2026, which stands noticeably below the national average of $38.16 per hour. This disparity highlights the unique economic landscape of Liberty, where professionals in this field may engage in various part-time opportunities and per-diem work. Those working three days a week could see a consistent income, focusing on clinical consult rounds in hospitals, counseling at outpatient clinics, or providing services to school districts. The hourly pay range for dietitians and nutritionists in this area spans from $20.31 for entry-level roles to approximately $40.07 for top earners, underscoring the potential for growth and specialization within the profession.
About the Liberty 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) | $20.31 | $162.50 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $25.82 | $206.55 |
| Median (P50) | $31.39 | $251.11 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $35.52 | $284.19 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $40.07 | $320.59 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Liberty
Based on $31.39/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $31.39/hr, a dietitian and nutritionist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Liberty, MO can expect to earn approximately $65,287 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $37,666. With a cost-of-living index of 89.60 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Liberty.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Liberty
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,255.53 | $5,441 | $65,287 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $753.32 | $3,264 | $39,172 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $502.21 | $2,176 | $26,115 |
Compare DN Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dietitian and Nutritionist (Liberty) | $31.39 |
| 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 Liberty, MO earn a median of $65,290 per year (2026 est.), which is 17.75% lower than the national median of $79,380 and 1.50% below the Missouri state average of $66,284.
Dietitian and Nutritionist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $31.39/hr = $39,172/year (purchasing power: $43,719).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $65,287/year (purchasing power: $72,865).
CoL index: 89.6 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$24.23/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$30.21/hr
2026 Current Est.
$31.39/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+34.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dietitians and Nutritionists in Liberty (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.90% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $24.23/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $24.95/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $24.38/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $26.28/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $27.55/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $26.32/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $30.21/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $31.39/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $32.61/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dietitians and nutritionists in Liberty grew 24.7% from $24.23/hr (2019) to $30.21/hr (2025). At a 3.90% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $32.61/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 Liberty 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 Liberty
Focusing on part-time earning potential, a dietitian or nutritionist working a 24-hour week in Liberty could realistically take home around $39,204 annually, compared to a full-time colleague earning more in line with the full-time annual figures. Those seeking flexibility often turn to per-diem or agency roles where they may bill anywhere from $50 to $80 per hour, with some niches like sports nutrition consulting fetching rates as high as $150 per hour. Furthermore, the employer type significantly influences hourly rates; professionals in hospital settings may experience lower hourly pay contrasted by those in private practice or corporate wellness who might command higher fees directly from clients. For some, the trade-off between higher hourly pay and the security of health benefits can shape their career choices significantly. To negotiate effectively in Liberty, professionals should emphasize their unique skills and consider the hourly wage ranges across various employment settings, maximizing their earning potential.
More salary data for Liberty, MO:
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 Liberty. 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 Liberty 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