Dietitian and Nutritionist Hourly Pay in Los Lunas, NM: $33.49 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dietitian and nutritionist working in Los Lunas, NM runs $33.49 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $69,647 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1031). Weighted against Los Lunas's regional price level (BEA RPP 94.4, 6% below national), each hour of work buys what $35.47 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $41,792 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Dietitians and nutritionists in Los Lunas, NM earn a median hourly rate of $33.49, which is notably lower than the national median of $38.16 per hour. This wage indicates reasonable earning potential for various employment situations that typically involve flexible schedules, such as part-time roles or per-diem opportunities. For example, a dietitian working three days a week might find this hourly pay sufficient for a manageable income while engaging in diverse settings like hospital consults, outpatient counseling, or school food service programs. The hourly wage ranges from $23.80 for entry-level positions to $42.86 for those at the top end of the spectrum, providing a clear view of advancement potential in the field, with higher rates often available through specialized practice areas or additional certifications.
About the Los Lunas Market
Salary estimated from New Mexico average ($66,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Dietitian and Nutritionist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $23.80 | $190.43 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $28.93 | $231.41 |
| Median (P50) | $33.49 | $267.90 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $38.19 | $305.55 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $42.86 | $342.87 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Los Lunas
Based on $33.49/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $33.49/hr, a dietitian and nutritionist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Los Lunas, NM can expect to earn approximately $69,653 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $40,184. With a cost-of-living index of 94.40 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Los Lunas.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Los Lunas
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,339.48 | $5,804 | $69,653 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $803.69 | $3,483 | $41,792 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $535.79 | $2,322 | $27,861 |
Compare DN Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dietitian and Nutritionist (Los Lunas) | $33.49 |
| 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 Los Lunas, NM earn a median of $69,647 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.26% lower than the national median of $79,380 and 7.10% below the New Mexico state average of $74,970.
Dietitian and Nutritionist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $33.49/hr = $41,792/year (purchasing power: $44,271).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $69,653/year (purchasing power: $73,785).
CoL index: 94.4 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$25.85/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$32.23/hr
2026 Current Est.
$33.49/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+34.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dietitians and Nutritionists in Los Lunas (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.90% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $25.85/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $26.62/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $26.01/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $28.03/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $29.40/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $27.84/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $32.23/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $33.49/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $34.79/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dietitians and nutritionists in Los Lunas grew 24.7% from $25.85/hr (2019) to $32.23/hr (2025). At a 3.90% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $34.79/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 Los Lunas 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 Los Lunas
With part-time positions allowing for a work schedule of around 24 hours per week, dietitians and nutritionists might see a significantly different annual income compared to full-time employees. Those taking on per-diem roles can further enhance their earning capacity; for instance, per-diem dietitians commonly bill $50-$80 per hour, while specialty sports nutrition consulting can command rates ranging from $80-$150 per hour. In Los Lunas, hourly rates can vary dramatically depending on the workplace, with those in hospitals or long-term care facilities typically earning less than those in private practice or corporate wellness settings. Many professionals weigh the benefits of lower hourly rates in institutions that offer health insurance against the higher pay often associated with independent roles that lack such benefits. Negotiation is crucial in this field; locally, professionals can advocate for better pay by highlighting their qualifications and staying current on industry trends, bolstered by an impending shift to master's-level requirements for the RDN credential by 2024 per CDR guidelines.
More salary data for Los Lunas, NM:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for dietitians and nutritionists in Los Lunas in 2026?
How much do part-time dietitians and nutritionists make in Los Lunas?
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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 Los Lunas. 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 Los Lunas 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