Dietitian and Nutritionist Hourly Pay in Fargo, ND: $32.50 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dietitian and nutritionist working in Fargo, ND runs $32.50 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $67,608 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1031). Weighted against Fargo's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.9, 9% below national), each hour of work buys what $35.76 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $40,560 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Fargo, North Dakota, the dietitian and nutritionist hourly pay stands at a median of $32.50. This figure reflects the unique challenges and opportunities present within the local healthcare environment, especially when compared to the national median hourly rate of $38.16. For those seeking part-time roles or per-diem opportunities in settings such as hospital clinical nutrition consultations or outpatient clinics, this wage can significantly impact their financial planning. With an hourly range from $27.48, typical for entry-level positions, to $43.24 for top earners, dietitians and nutritionists in Fargo can expect to navigate a diverse job market, including roles in long-term care, school district food services, and even sports nutrition consultations. These insights are based on projections from the 2025 BLS OEWS data, forecasting trends for 2026.
Dietitian and Nutritionist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $27.48 | $219.85 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $32.00 | $256.01 |
| Median (P50) | $32.50 | $260.00 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $40.51 | $324.08 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $43.24 | $345.95 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Fargo
Based on $32.50/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $32.50/hr, a dietitian and nutritionist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Fargo, ND can expect to earn approximately $67,600 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $39,000. With a cost-of-living index of 90.87 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Fargo.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Fargo
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,300.00 | $5,633 | $67,600 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $780.00 | $3,380 | $40,560 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $520.00 | $2,253 | $27,040 |
Compare DN Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dietitian and Nutritionist (Fargo) | $32.50 |
| 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 Fargo, ND earn a median of $67,608 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.83% lower than the national median of $79,380 and 7.40% below the North Dakota state average of $73,011.
Dietitian and Nutritionist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $32.50/hr = $40,560/year (purchasing power: $44,635).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $67,600/year (purchasing power: $74,391).
CoL index: 90.871 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$25.03/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$31.28/hr
2026 Current Est.
$32.50/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+34.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dietitians and Nutritionists in Fargo (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.90% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $25.03/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $27.10/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $28.84/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $30.13/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $31.91/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $29.80/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $31.28/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $32.50/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $33.77/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dietitians and nutritionists in Fargo grew 25.0% from $25.03/hr (2019) to $31.28/hr (2025). At a 3.90% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $33.77/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 Fargo 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 Fargo
When considering the annual potential earnings for those working part-time, a dietitian or nutritionist in Fargo, maintaining a schedule of three days a week (24 hours), can anticipate a substantially lower income compared to their full-time peers. While full-time dietitians and nutritionists might benefit from structured compensation and comprehensive benefits, those opting for per-diem work often enjoy the freedom of flexible scheduling. Per-diem dietitian and nutritionist pay in Fargo can range, with some billing upwards of $50 to $80 an hour, especially in lucrative niches like sports nutrition consulting, where rates can reach as high as $150 per hour. Additionally, private practice professionals may charge direct-pay fees from $150 to $300 for sessions, reflecting a growing trend in cash-pay practice models outside traditional healthcare settings. Ultimately, the choice between higher hourly rates without benefits versus stable employment with healthcare coverage will shape the decisions for many in the field. Local dietitians may find it beneficial to negotiate specific terms related to hourly pay, considering the varied opportunities available across different healthcare settings in the Fargo area.
More salary data for Fargo, ND:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for dietitians and nutritionists in Fargo in 2026?
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How much does a full-time dietitian and nutritionist make per year in Fargo?
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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 Fargo. 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