Dietitian and Nutritionist Hourly Pay in Cary, NC: $34.41 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dietitian and nutritionist working in Cary, NC runs $34.41 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $71,567 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1031). Weighted against Cary's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.6, 6% below national), each hour of work buys what $36.76 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $42,946 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Dietitians and nutritionists in Cary, North Carolina, earn a median hourly rate of $34.41, which falls below the national hourly median of $38.16. This pay scale reflects a range where entry-level positions can start around $22.86 per hour, while experienced professionals at the top of the scale can command $48.16 per hour. These hourly wages offer flexibility for part-time roles based on a typical 24-hour workweek, translating into significant earnings for those balancing multiple commitments across various settings such as outpatient clinics, hospitals, and school district kitchens. For professionals working per-diem, this hourly structure allows them to adjust their schedules while maximizing earnings in diverse workplaces, including sports camps and virtual telehealth services that cater to an expanding clientele.
About the Cary Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Dietitian and Nutritionist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $22.86 | $182.86 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $28.80 | $230.41 |
| Median (P50) | $34.41 | $275.29 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $39.85 | $318.77 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $48.16 | $385.26 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Cary
Based on $34.41/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $34.41/hr, a dietitian and nutritionist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Cary, NC can expect to earn approximately $71,576 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $41,294. With a cost-of-living index of 93.60 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Cary.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Cary
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,376.47 | $5,965 | $71,576 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $825.88 | $3,579 | $42,946 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $550.59 | $2,386 | $28,631 |
Compare DN Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dietitian and Nutritionist (Cary) | $34.41 |
| 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 Cary, NC earn a median of $71,567 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.84% lower than the national median of $79,380 and 2.40% above the North Carolina state average of $69,890.
Dietitian and Nutritionist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $34.41/hr = $42,946/year (purchasing power: $45,882).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $71,576/year (purchasing power: $76,470).
CoL index: 93.6 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$26.56/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$33.12/hr
2026 Current Est.
$34.41/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+34.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dietitians and Nutritionists in Cary (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.90% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $26.56/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $27.35/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $26.73/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $28.81/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $30.21/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $28.04/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $33.12/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $34.41/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $35.75/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dietitians and nutritionists in Cary grew 24.7% from $26.56/hr (2019) to $33.12/hr (2025). At a 3.90% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $35.75/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 Cary 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 Cary
Looking closely at the financial implications for dietitians and nutritionists, those opting for part-time work in Cary can expect to take home around $42,580 annually with a three-day work week. In contrast, the per diem route offers an enticing potential, where registered dietitian nutritionists (RDNs) frequently bill rates from $50 to $80 per hour, and specialized areas such as sports nutrition can elevate this to $80-$150 per hour. This diversity in pay considerations may sway professionals towards settings that offer steady employment with benefits or those that provide higher hourly rates without traditional health insurance. Consequently, RDNs must navigate employer types when evaluating potential hourly rates—from clinical settings to private practice—as the compensation can greatly vary based on the workplace structure. Accurate negotiations in Cary require an awareness of local industry standards and an understanding of the employment landscape to secure favorable terms that align with both financial and professional goals.
More salary data for Cary, NC:
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 Cary. 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 Cary 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