Dietitian and Nutritionist Hourly Pay in Erie, PA: $33.33 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dietitian and nutritionist working in Erie, PA runs $33.33 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $69,332 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1031). Weighted against Erie's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.0, 9% below national), each hour of work buys what $36.65 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $41,597 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Erie, Pennsylvania, dietitians and nutritionists earn a median hourly rate of $33.33, which is notably below the national median of $38.16. This difference implies that professionals working in various settings—such as hospitals, long-term care facilities, outpatient clinics, and private practices—may have to manage expectations regarding their hourly earnings. For those opting for part-time work at three days a week, this rate supports incomes while allowing flexibility. Entry-level positions might expect hourly wages around $21.93, whereas more experienced professionals can earn up to $44.31 per hour, making the field accessible yet also competitive depending on experience and specific job roles within Erie’s healthcare landscape. Official BLS data forecasts these rates for 2026, suggesting the area may remain stable in its compensation expectations.
Dietitian and Nutritionist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $21.93 | $175.47 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $27.44 | $219.52 |
| Median (P50) | $33.33 | $266.65 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $39.72 | $317.77 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $44.31 | $354.51 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Erie
Based on $33.33/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $33.33/hr, a dietitian and nutritionist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Erie, PA can expect to earn approximately $69,329 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $39,997. With a cost-of-living index of 90.95 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Erie.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Erie
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,333.24 | $5,777 | $69,329 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $799.95 | $3,466 | $41,597 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $533.30 | $2,311 | $27,731 |
Compare DN Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dietitian and Nutritionist (Erie) | $33.33 |
| 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 Erie, PA earn a median of $69,332 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.66% lower than the national median of $79,380 and 0.90% above the Pennsylvania state average of $68,714.
Dietitian and Nutritionist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $33.33/hr = $41,597/year (purchasing power: $45,736).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $69,329/year (purchasing power: $76,227).
CoL index: 90.95 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$28.61/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$32.08/hr
2026 Current Est.
$33.33/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+21.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dietitians and Nutritionists in Erie (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.90% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $28.61/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $29.12/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $28.90/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $31.44/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $28.40/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $31.56/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $32.08/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $33.33/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $34.63/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dietitians and nutritionists in Erie grew 12.1% from $28.61/hr (2019) to $32.08/hr (2025). At a 3.90% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $34.63/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 Erie 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 Erie
Exploring the potential earnings for dietitians and nutritionists reveals disparities between full-time and per-diem opportunities. A part-time dietitian working three days a week for a total of 24 hours will take home an annual income that likely falls short of those in full-time positions, particularly as full-timers can benefit from healthcare and other benefits. Per-diem dietitians can often bill between $50 and $80 per hour, especially for roles in specialized fields like sports nutrition, where rates can soar to between $80 and $150 per hour. Interestingly, cash-pay private practice RDNs charge clients directly, with fees reaching $150 to $300 per hour, thus reflecting the growing segment of this sector driven by personal client needs. While some dietitians may accept positions with lower hourly pay for job security and health benefits, others may prioritize higher hourly rates without benefits in settings like corporate wellness programs or independent practice. Negotiating hourly pay effectively involves understanding these various employer types and valuing one’s unique skill set within the evolving demand and landscape in Erie’s health and nutrition services.
More salary data for Erie, PA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for dietitians and nutritionists in Erie in 2026?
How much do part-time dietitians and nutritionists make in Erie?
Are dietitians and nutritionists in Erie paid hourly or salary?
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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 Erie. 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