Dietitian and Nutritionist Hourly Pay in Ponca City, OK: $31.52 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dietitian and nutritionist working in Ponca City, OK runs $31.52 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $65,563 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1031). Weighted against Ponca City's regional price level (BEA RPP 88.9, 11% below national), each hour of work buys what $35.46 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $39,341 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Ponca City, Oklahoma, dietitians and nutritionists earn a median hourly rate of $31.52, which is notably below the national median of $38.16. This hourly figure provides a window into the financial landscape for both part-time and per-diem professionals in the field, especially those working in varied settings like hospitals, outpatient clinics, or private practices. Part-time employees, for example, working approximately three days a week can expect to take home $31.52 for every hour worked. For entry-level positions, hourly rates start at $22.38, while experienced practitioners can make as much as $40.32 per hour. As these figures derive from projected annual salary data for 2026, they help illustrate the earnings potential based on time worked throughout a week in clinical nutrition consults, community health settings, or in food service management within schools.
About the Ponca City Market
Salary estimated from Oklahoma average ($58,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Dietitian and Nutritionist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $22.38 | $179.04 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $27.21 | $217.69 |
| Median (P50) | $31.52 | $252.19 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $35.94 | $287.51 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $40.32 | $322.59 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Ponca City
Based on $31.52/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $31.52/hr, a dietitian and nutritionist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Ponca City, OK can expect to earn approximately $65,568 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $37,828. With a cost-of-living index of 88.90 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Ponca City.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Ponca City
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,260.93 | $5,464 | $65,568 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $756.56 | $3,278 | $39,341 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $504.37 | $2,186 | $26,227 |
Compare DN Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dietitian and Nutritionist (Ponca City) | $31.52 |
| 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 Ponca City, OK earn a median of $65,563 per year (2026 est.), which is 17.41% lower than the national median of $79,380 and 7.10% below the Oklahoma state average of $70,574.
Dietitian and Nutritionist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $31.52/hr = $39,341/year (purchasing power: $44,253).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $65,568/year (purchasing power: $73,755).
CoL index: 88.9 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$24.33/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$30.34/hr
2026 Current Est.
$31.52/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+34.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dietitians and Nutritionists in Ponca City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.90% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $24.33/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $25.05/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $24.48/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $26.39/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $27.67/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $23.03/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $30.34/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $31.52/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $32.75/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dietitians and nutritionists in Ponca City grew 24.7% from $24.33/hr (2019) to $30.34/hr (2025). At a 3.90% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $32.75/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 Ponca City 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 Ponca City
The earning potential for a part-time dietitian and nutritionist in Ponca City can be quite different from full-time practitioners. If someone works 24 hours a week, their annual income would be considerably less than what full-time professionals earn, limiting financial benefits and potential career growth. Those in per-diem positions, particularly 1099 RDNs, often cite billing ranges of $50-$80 per hour, and specialized roles in sports nutrition consulting can command rates anywhere from $80 to $150. Cash-pay services in private practice can charge even higher rates, sometimes ranging from $150 to $300 per hour. Different employer types—like hospitals, WIC clinics, and corporate wellness programs—offer varying hourly rates, creating a trade-off between higher pay and employee benefits such as health insurance. Dietitians in Ponca City should be aware of their worth in negotiations and consider the full range of benefits when assessing job opportunities, especially in a competitive field transitioning to increased academic rigor following recent changes instituted by the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR).
More salary data for Ponca City, OK:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for dietitians and nutritionists in Ponca City in 2026?
How much do part-time dietitians and nutritionists make in Ponca City?
Are dietitians and nutritionists in Ponca City paid hourly or salary?
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Do dietitians and nutritionists earn more per hour working part-time in Ponca City?
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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 Ponca City. 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 Ponca City 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