Dietitian and Nutritionist Hourly Pay in Summerville, SC: $33.30 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dietitian and nutritionist working in Summerville, SC runs $33.30 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $69,258 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1031). Weighted against Summerville's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.5, 8% below national), each hour of work buys what $36.39 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $41,558 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Summerville, SC, the projected hourly pay for dietitians and nutritionists is $33.30, which is noticeably lower than the national hourly median of $38.16. This rate influences various employment scenarios, particularly for those working part-time or in per-diem settings, as these professionals often engage in roles across hospital clinical nutrition consultations, outpatient clinics, and WIC counseling offices. The hourly pay range in 2026 spans from $22.27 for entry-level positions to as much as $46.58 for experienced practitioners. For part-time workers, such as those working three days a week, the ability to maintain a flexible schedule can be beneficial, although it may impact overall earnings compared to full-time roles.
About the Summerville Market
Salary estimated from South Carolina average ($60,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Dietitian and Nutritionist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $22.27 | $178.13 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $27.90 | $223.18 |
| Median (P50) | $33.30 | $266.40 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $39.91 | $319.26 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $46.58 | $372.63 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Summerville
Based on $33.30/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $33.30/hr, a dietitian and nutritionist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Summerville, SC can expect to earn approximately $69,264 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $39,960. With a cost-of-living index of 91.50 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Summerville.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Summerville
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,332.00 | $5,772 | $69,264 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $799.20 | $3,463 | $41,558 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $532.80 | $2,309 | $27,706 |
Compare DN Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dietitian and Nutritionist (Summerville) | $33.30 |
| 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 Summerville, SC earn a median of $69,258 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.75% lower than the national median of $79,380 and 2.10% below the South Carolina state average of $70,743.
Dietitian and Nutritionist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $33.30/hr = $41,558/year (purchasing power: $45,419).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $69,264/year (purchasing power: $75,698).
CoL index: 91.5 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$25.70/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$32.05/hr
2026 Current Est.
$33.30/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+34.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dietitians and Nutritionists in Summerville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.90% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $25.70/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $26.47/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $25.86/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $27.88/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $29.23/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $25.84/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $32.05/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $33.30/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $34.60/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dietitians and nutritionists in Summerville grew 24.7% from $25.70/hr (2019) to $32.05/hr (2025). At a 3.90% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $34.60/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 Summerville 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 Summerville
The earning potential for dietitians and nutritionists working in a part-time capacity, those averaging 24 hours weekly, would translate to an annual income significantly lower than their full-time counterparts. Many professionals in Summerville boost their income through per-diem or freelance opportunities, billing $50 to $80 per hour, especially in specialized areas like sports nutrition, where fees can soar to $150 per hour. This diversity in hourly pay hinges largely on the type of employer, with hospital settings generally offering a steadier income but lower rates, while corporate wellness or cash-pay private practices may provide higher compensation but often lack benefits. Thus, many dietitians may find themselves weighing the trade-offs between the security of health benefits in salaried positions versus the higher hourly pay of independent consulting roles. To maximize earnings, negotiating hourly rates proactively based on experience and expertise is essential, particularly given the growing cash-pay market trends in Summerville and the shift towards private practice avenues.
More salary data for Summerville, SC:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for dietitians and nutritionists in Summerville in 2026?
How much do part-time dietitians and nutritionists make in Summerville?
Are dietitians and nutritionists in Summerville paid hourly or salary?
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Do dietitians and nutritionists earn more per hour working part-time in Summerville?
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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 Summerville. 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 Summerville 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