Dietitian and Nutritionist Hourly Pay in Kernersville, NC: $33.30 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dietitian and nutritionist working in Kernersville, NC runs $33.30 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $69,254 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1031). Weighted against Kernersville's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.6, 6% below national), each hour of work buys what $35.58 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $41,558 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Kernersville, North Carolina, dietitians and nutritionists are projected to earn a median hourly rate of $33.30 in 2026, which is notably lower than the national hourly median of $38.16. This discrepancy suggests potential challenges for part-time or per-diem workers in the area, who may find themselves balancing flexible schedules across various practice settings. For example, working just three days a week could afford dietitians and nutritionists an average of 24 hours, leading to an annual income that still reflects regional payment structures rather than national averages. Kernersville offers a broad range, with entry-level positions starting at approximately $21.99 per hour and experienced professionals reaching up to $44.04 per hour, highlighting the variability in earnings based on skill and experience in specialized settings, such as hospitals, outpatient clinics, or private practices.
About the Kernersville 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) | $21.99 | $175.88 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $27.61 | $220.85 |
| Median (P50) | $33.30 | $266.40 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $38.61 | $308.87 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $44.04 | $352.35 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Kernersville
Based on $33.30/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $33.30/hr, a dietitian and nutritionist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Kernersville, NC can expect to earn approximately $69,264 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $39,960. With a cost-of-living index of 93.60 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Kernersville.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Kernersville
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,332.00 | $5,772 | $69,264 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $799.20 | $3,463 | $41,558 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $532.80 | $2,309 | $27,706 |
Compare DN Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dietitian and Nutritionist (Kernersville) | $33.30 |
| 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 Kernersville, NC earn a median of $69,254 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.76% lower than the national median of $79,380 and 0.90% below the North Carolina state average of $69,882.
Dietitian and Nutritionist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $33.30/hr = $41,558/year (purchasing power: $44,400).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $69,264/year (purchasing power: $74,000).
CoL index: 93.6 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$25.70/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$32.05/hr
2026 Current Est.
$33.30/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+34.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dietitians and Nutritionists in Kernersville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.90% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $25.70/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $26.47/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $25.86/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $27.88/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $29.23/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $27.64/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $32.05/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $33.30/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $34.60/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dietitians and nutritionists in Kernersville grew 24.7% from $25.70/hr (2019) to $32.05/hr (2025). At a 3.90% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $34.60/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 Kernersville 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 Kernersville
Focusing on part-time opportunities, a dietitian or nutritionist working three days a week in Kernersville might take home about $51,960 annually, considerably lower than those in full-time positions. Per diem dietitian and nutritionist pay in Kernersville often fluctuates, with many professionals billing between $50 to $80 per hour, while specialized consulting roles can command even higher rates. For instance, sports nutrition consultants might earn between $80 to $150 per hour, and cash-pay private practice RDNs often charge $150 to $300 for a single session. Differences in pay rates can stem from the type of employer, with hospitals typically offering more consistent salaries while private or corporate gigs may propose higher rates that lack benefits like health insurance. This scenario forces many dietitians to consider the trade-offs between higher pay and the stability of benefits. When negotiating hourly pay, it is advisable for professionals in Kernersville to be informed about both local rates and their own unique skill sets to maximize their earnings potential.
More salary data for Kernersville, 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 Kernersville. 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 Kernersville 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