Dietitian and Nutritionist Hourly Pay in Kannapolis, NC: $33.91 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dietitian and nutritionist working in Kannapolis, NC runs $33.91 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $70,531 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1031). Weighted against Kannapolis's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.6, 6% below national), each hour of work buys what $36.23 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $42,323 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Kannapolis, North Carolina, dietitian and nutritionist hourly pay averages $33.91, which is below the national hourly median of $38.16. This difference can significantly impact those working part-time or per diem, as professionals in this field often operate in various environments including hospitals, outpatient clinics, and schools. For instance, a dietitian working three days a week, typically logged at around 24 hours, will have unique earning scenarios compared to full-time peers. Entry-level salaries can begin at around $21.60 per hour, while more experienced dietitians can earn upwards of $44.86 hourly, reflecting the spectrum of experience and clinical specialty present in the Kannapolis area.
About the Kannapolis 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) | $21.60 | $172.81 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $27.61 | $220.85 |
| Median (P50) | $33.91 | $271.30 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $39.84 | $318.68 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $44.86 | $358.91 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Kannapolis
Based on $33.91/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $33.91/hr, a dietitian and nutritionist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Kannapolis, NC can expect to earn approximately $70,539 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $40,696. With a cost-of-living index of 93.60 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Kannapolis.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Kannapolis
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,356.52 | $5,878 | $70,539 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $813.91 | $3,527 | $42,323 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $542.61 | $2,351 | $28,216 |
Compare DN Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dietitian and Nutritionist (Kannapolis) | $33.91 |
| 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 Kannapolis, NC earn a median of $70,531 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.15% lower than the national median of $79,380 and 0.90% above the North Carolina state average of $69,902.
Dietitian and Nutritionist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $33.91/hr = $42,323/year (purchasing power: $45,217).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $70,539/year (purchasing power: $75,362).
CoL index: 93.6 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$26.18/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$32.64/hr
2026 Current Est.
$33.91/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+34.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dietitians and Nutritionists in Kannapolis (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.90% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $26.18/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $26.95/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $26.34/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $28.39/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $29.77/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $28.15/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $32.64/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $33.91/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $35.24/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dietitians and nutritionists in Kannapolis grew 24.7% from $26.18/hr (2019) to $32.64/hr (2025). At a 3.90% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $35.24/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 Kannapolis 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 Kannapolis
The potential for earning as a part-time dietitian or nutritionist varies considerably. An RDN working 24 hours a week would yield a considerable annual income, but per diem and agency work offers even more lucrative pay. Many per diem dietitian and nutritionist pay scenarios in Kannapolis can see rates between $50 and $80 per hour, particularly for specialized services like sports nutrition consulting, which can reach as high as $150 per hour. Additionally, cash-paying private practice RDNs charge between $150 and $300 for a 60-minute session, tapping into the increasing demand for individualized nutrition services. It's vital for these practitioners to weigh the benefits of lower hourly wages with employer-sponsored health insurance against the possibility of higher-paying roles that lack such benefits. Negotiating effectively in Kannapolis can require knowledge of local salary benchmarks, showcasing the importance of understanding what local employers can offer based on the dietitian and nutritionist hourly rate in NC.
More salary data for Kannapolis, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for dietitians and nutritionists in Kannapolis in 2026?
How much do part-time dietitians and nutritionists make in Kannapolis?
Are dietitians and nutritionists in Kannapolis paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time dietitian and nutritionist make per year in Kannapolis?
Do dietitians and nutritionists earn more per hour working part-time in Kannapolis?
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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 Kannapolis. 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 Kannapolis 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