Dietitian and Nutritionist Hourly Pay in Maryland Heights, MO: $31.28 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dietitian and nutritionist working in Maryland Heights, MO runs $31.28 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $65,068 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1031). Weighted against Maryland Heights's regional price level (BEA RPP 89.6, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $34.92 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $39,043 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Dietitians and nutritionists in Maryland Heights, Missouri, earn a median hourly rate of $31.28, which is lower than the national median of $38.16. This hourly pay suggests that dietitians and nutritionists working part-time—such as those clocking in for only three days a week—can anticipate financially manageable earnings that may not fully reflect their educational qualifications, particularly following the recent transition requiring a master's degree for registered dietitian nutritionists (RDNs). Additionally, per diem workers, who often work in settings like hospitals, outpatient clinics, or school nutrition programs, have an hourly range from $20.17 at entry-level positions up to $42.69 for more experienced professionals, aligning their work schedules and earnings with the demands of the clients they serve.
About the Maryland Heights 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) | $20.17 | $161.34 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $25.60 | $204.81 |
| Median (P50) | $31.28 | $250.27 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $35.29 | $282.36 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $42.69 | $341.54 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Maryland Heights
Based on $31.28/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $31.28/hr, a dietitian and nutritionist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Maryland Heights, MO can expect to earn approximately $65,071 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $37,541. With a cost-of-living index of 89.60 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Maryland Heights.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Maryland Heights
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,251.37 | $5,423 | $65,071 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $750.82 | $3,254 | $39,043 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $500.55 | $2,169 | $26,029 |
Compare DN Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dietitian and Nutritionist (Maryland Heights) | $31.28 |
| 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 Maryland Heights, MO earn a median of $65,068 per year (2026 est.), which is 18.03% lower than the national median of $79,380 and 1.80% below the Missouri state average of $66,261.
Dietitian and Nutritionist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $31.28/hr = $39,043/year (purchasing power: $43,575).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $65,071/year (purchasing power: $72,624).
CoL index: 89.6 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$24.15/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$30.11/hr
2026 Current Est.
$31.28/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+34.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dietitians and Nutritionists in Maryland Heights (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.90% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $24.15/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $24.86/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $24.30/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $26.19/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $27.46/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $26.23/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $30.11/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $31.28/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $32.50/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dietitians and nutritionists in Maryland Heights grew 24.7% from $24.15/hr (2019) to $30.11/hr (2025). At a 3.90% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $32.50/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 Maryland Heights 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 Maryland Heights
When considering the earning potential, part-time practitioners working just 24 hours a week would generate a significantly lower annual income than those employed full-time. Many per diem dietitian and nutritionist roles in Maryland Heights may offer between $50 and $80 per hour, with specialized services such as sports nutrition consulting fetching rates of $80 to $150 per hour. However, the reliability of steady employment and benefits from full-time roles often leads some to accept lower hourly rates in exchange for health insurance and other benefits. This variance across different work settings—hospitals, long-term care facilities, outpatient clinics, and private practices—demands strategic negotiation for prospective dietitians and nutritionists. Understanding local salary trends and making informed compensation requests can empower these professionals to better reflect their expertise and align their earnings with industry standards.
More salary data for Maryland Heights, MO:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for dietitians and nutritionists in Maryland Heights in 2026?
How much do part-time dietitians and nutritionists make in Maryland Heights?
Are dietitians and nutritionists in Maryland Heights paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time dietitian and nutritionist make per year in Maryland Heights?
Do dietitians and nutritionists earn more per hour working part-time in Maryland Heights?
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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 Maryland Heights. 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 Maryland Heights 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