Dietitian and Nutritionist Hourly Pay in Raleigh, NC: $34.57 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dietitian and nutritionist working in Raleigh, NC runs $34.57 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $71,909 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1031). Weighted against Raleigh's regional price level (BEA RPP 98.2, 2% below national), each hour of work buys what $35.22 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $43,140 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Dietitians and nutritionists practicing in Raleigh, NC, can expect to earn a median hourly rate of $34.57 in 2026, which is notably lower than the national median of $38.16 per hour. This hourly compensation reflects the financial landscape for both full-time employees and those working part-time or per diem. For individuals working three days a week, consistently clocking 24 hours, this would translate into an annual income of approximately $43,000—somewhat modest given the comprehensive nature of the roles. The hourly range for the profession spans from $20.51 for entry-level positions up to $43.39 for the highest earners. These figures are drawn from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) estimates based on 2025 data, projected to 2026, outlining salary expectations for roles commonly found in hospital clinical environments, outpatient clinics, and private practices, among others.
Dietitian and Nutritionist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $20.51 | $164.08 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $30.88 | $247.03 |
| Median (P50) | $34.57 | $276.54 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $37.95 | $303.64 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $43.39 | $347.11 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Raleigh
Based on $34.57/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $34.57/hr, a dietitian and nutritionist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Raleigh, NC can expect to earn approximately $71,900 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $41,481. With a cost-of-living index of 98.16 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Raleigh.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Raleigh
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,382.70 | $5,992 | $71,900 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $829.62 | $3,595 | $43,140 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $553.08 | $2,397 | $28,760 |
Compare DN Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dietitian and Nutritionist (Raleigh) | $34.57 |
| 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 Raleigh, NC earn a median of $71,909 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.41% lower than the national median of $79,380 and 2.90% above the North Carolina state average of $69,883.
Dietitian and Nutritionist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $34.57/hr = $43,140/year (purchasing power: $43,950).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $71,900/year (purchasing power: $73,250).
CoL index: 98.157 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$27.02/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$33.27/hr
2026 Current Est.
$34.57/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+32.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dietitians and Nutritionists in Raleigh (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.90% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $27.02/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $31.06/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $29.04/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $31.61/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $30.63/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $31.79/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $33.27/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $34.57/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $35.92/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dietitians and nutritionists in Raleigh grew 23.1% from $27.02/hr (2019) to $33.27/hr (2025). At a 3.90% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $35.92/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 Raleigh 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 Raleigh
When evaluating the dynamics of dietitian and nutritionist hourly pay in Raleigh, various employment circumstances can significantly affect earnings. Part-time professionals may earn less annually compared to full-timers, but flexibility comes with their work model. Per diem dietitian and nutritionist pay in Raleigh can vary widely, with many practitioners billing between $50 and $80 per hour, especially in specialized areas like sports nutrition consulting, which can command rates as high as $150 per hour. Additionally, cash-pay private practice dietitians may charge clients between $150 and $300 for a single session. This variability in pay underscores the importance of understanding employer types and the benefits trade-off. While working at hospitals and clinics may offer steady hours and health insurance, some may prefer higher hourly wages from private or per diem work despite the lack of benefits. For those navigating hourly negotiations in Raleigh, aligning personal financial goals with the employment structure and potential hourly rates can lead to more rewarding work experiences.
More salary data for Raleigh, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for dietitians and nutritionists in Raleigh in 2026?
How much do part-time dietitians and nutritionists make in Raleigh?
Are dietitians and nutritionists in Raleigh paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time dietitian and nutritionist make per year in Raleigh?
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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 Raleigh. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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