Dietitian and Nutritionist Hourly Pay in Wilkes-Barre, PA: $32.51 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dietitian and nutritionist working in Wilkes-Barre, PA runs $32.51 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $67,620 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1031). Weighted against Wilkes-Barre's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.4, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $33.38 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $40,573 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Dietitians and nutritionists in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, can expect to earn a median hourly rate of $32.51, which is lower than the national median of $38.16. This rate reflects the local economic environment and can significantly impact part-time work schedules, such as those who work three days a week, engaging in various roles across clinical, community, and private settings. For those interested in per-diem work, this hourly rate can influence their earnings when they conduct nutrition consultations in hospitals, outpatient clinics, or even sports nutrition environments. Entry-level positions may start around $20.96, while those with more experience can earn as much as $42.57 per hour, providing a wide range of opportunities for professionals in this field.
About the Wilkes-Barre Market
Salary estimated from Pennsylvania average ($68,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Dietitian and Nutritionist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $20.96 | $167.65 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $26.68 | $213.45 |
| Median (P50) | $32.51 | $260.08 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $37.44 | $299.48 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $42.57 | $340.54 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Wilkes-Barre
Based on $32.51/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $32.51/hr, a dietitian and nutritionist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Wilkes-Barre, PA can expect to earn approximately $67,621 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $39,012. With a cost-of-living index of 97.40 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Wilkes-Barre.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Wilkes-Barre
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,300.41 | $5,635 | $67,621 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $780.25 | $3,381 | $40,573 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $520.16 | $2,254 | $27,049 |
Compare DN Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dietitian and Nutritionist (Wilkes-Barre) | $32.51 |
| 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 Wilkes-Barre, PA earn a median of $67,620 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.81% lower than the national median of $79,380 and 1.60% below the Pennsylvania state average of $68,720.
Dietitian and Nutritionist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $32.51/hr = $40,573/year (purchasing power: $41,656).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $67,621/year (purchasing power: $69,427).
CoL index: 97.4 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$25.09/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$31.29/hr
2026 Current Est.
$32.51/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+34.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dietitians and Nutritionists in Wilkes-Barre (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.90% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $25.09/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $25.84/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $25.25/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $27.21/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $28.54/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $31.34/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $31.29/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $32.51/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $33.78/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dietitians and nutritionists in Wilkes-Barre grew 24.7% from $25.09/hr (2019) to $31.29/hr (2025). At a 3.90% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $33.78/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 Wilkes-Barre 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 Wilkes-Barre
In exploring the potential income of dietitians and nutritionists in Wilkes-Barre, part-time professionals who work 24 hours a week could anticipate an annual take-home pay significantly lower than full-time counterparts. For instance, while per diem positions and private practice may come with higher rates—often between $50 and $80 per hour—these jobs may lack benefits like health insurance. Those in cash-pay private practices might charge clients anywhere from $150 to $300 for a 60-minute session, reflecting the growing cash-pay trend among RDNs amid the transition to master's-level credentialing requirements by 2024 from the CDR. The disparity in hourly rates can vary based on employer type, with clinical roles typically offering more stable benefits but possibly lower pay than consulting roles in sports nutrition or private practice. Negotiating hourly rates becomes crucial for workers, especially in a city like Wilkes-Barre where job offers can balance smaller paychecks against preferable benefits.
More salary data for Wilkes-Barre, PA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for dietitians and nutritionists in Wilkes-Barre in 2026?
How much do part-time dietitians and nutritionists make in Wilkes-Barre?
Are dietitians and nutritionists in Wilkes-Barre 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 Wilkes-Barre. 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 Wilkes-Barre 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