Dietitian and Nutritionist Hourly Pay in Leland, NC: $31.20 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dietitian and nutritionist working in Leland, NC runs $31.20 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $64,903 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1031). Weighted against Leland's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.6, 6% below national), each hour of work buys what $33.33 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $38,939 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

Dietitians and nutritionists in Leland, NC, can expect to earn a median hourly pay of $31.20 in 2026, which is notably lower than the national hourly median of $38.16. This disparity implies that professionals in Leland may need to consider multiple job opportunities or part-time positions to supplement their income, especially in environments such as hospitals, outpatient clinics, and private practices. For those working part-time at about three days a week, earning $31.20 translates to approximately $24,576 annually, depending on hours worked. The hourly pay range varies significantly, from $22.13 for entry-level positions to $39.90 for experienced dietitians and nutritionists, allowing for diverse earning potential within the profession. This hourly data serves as a baseline derived from broader annual salary figures, offering insight for both new graduates and seasoned professionals contemplating their options in Leland.
About the Leland 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) | $22.13 | $177.05 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $26.92 | $215.36 |
| Median (P50) | $31.20 | $249.61 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $36.22 | $289.76 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $39.90 | $319.18 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Leland
Based on $31.20/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $31.20/hr, a dietitian and nutritionist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Leland, NC can expect to earn approximately $64,898 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $37,441. With a cost-of-living index of 93.60 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Leland.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Leland
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,248.05 | $5,408 | $64,898 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $748.83 | $3,245 | $38,939 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $499.22 | $2,163 | $25,959 |
Compare DN Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dietitian and Nutritionist (Leland) | $31.20 |
| 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 Leland, NC earn a median of $64,903 per year (2026 est.), which is 18.24% lower than the national median of $79,380 and 7.10% below the North Carolina state average of $69,864.
Dietitian and Nutritionist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $31.20/hr = $38,939/year (purchasing power: $41,602).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $64,898/year (purchasing power: $69,336).
CoL index: 93.6 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$24.08/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$30.03/hr
2026 Current Est.
$31.20/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+34.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dietitians and Nutritionists in Leland (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.90% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $24.08/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $24.80/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $24.23/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $26.12/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $27.39/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $25.91/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $30.03/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $31.20/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $32.42/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dietitians and nutritionists in Leland grew 24.7% from $24.08/hr (2019) to $30.03/hr (2025). At a 3.90% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $32.42/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 Leland 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 Leland
When evaluating part-time earnings, a dietitian and nutritionist working 24 hours a week in Leland could face a considerably different financial picture than someone employed full-time. Those who work per diem or on an agency basis might find themselves earning significantly more; typical rates for per diem dietitian and nutritionist pay in Leland can range from $50 to $80 per hour. This professional flexibility could lead to a more lucrative income model, particularly for specialists in sports nutrition, who may charge upwards of $150 per session. Given the variety of employer types in the area—from hospitals to private practices—hourly rates can vary widely. Professionals often need to negotiate between slightly lower hourly pay with structured benefits and higher rates in settings without benefits. To maximize opportunities, it’s advisable to express one’s unique qualifications and expertise, especially in a competitive field nudging toward a master’s-required credential due to the recent changes by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and the Commission on Dietetic Registration.
More salary data for Leland, 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 Leland. 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 Leland 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