Dietitian and Nutritionist Hourly Pay in El Paso, TX: $38.38 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dietitian and nutritionist working in El Paso, TX runs $38.38 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $79,826 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1031). Weighted against El Paso's regional price level (BEA RPP 89.9, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $42.69 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $47,899 per year.
Official BLS data · View source

Dietitians and nutritionists in El Paso, TX, command a median hourly rate of $38.38, slightly above the national median of $38.16. This competitive pay structure allows professionals in the region to thrive, whether they work part-time, perhaps just three days a week, or take on per-diem roles covering various customer settings. Typical employment venues range from hospital clinical nutrition consult rounds and long-term care dining rooms to outpatient clinics and school district kitchens, all reflecting the diversity in work arrangements available. For beginners, the hourly wage starts around $26.55, while seasoned professionals can earn up to $47.21, emphasizing the potential for growth within this fulfilling career in the local market. All figures stem from the official Bureau of Labor Statistics data, which outlines these hourly expectations for 2026.
Dietitian and Nutritionist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $26.55 | $212.37 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $30.28 | $242.21 |
| Median (P50) | $38.38 | $307.05 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $39.48 | $315.86 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $47.21 | $377.70 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in El Paso
Based on $38.38/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $38.38/hr, a dietitian and nutritionist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in El Paso, TX can expect to earn approximately $79,832 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $46,057. With a cost-of-living index of 89.91 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in El Paso.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in El Paso
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,535.23 | $6,653 | $79,832 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $921.14 | $3,992 | $47,899 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $614.09 | $2,661 | $31,933 |
Compare DN Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dietitian and Nutritionist (El Paso) | $38.38 |
| 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 El Paso, TX earn a median of $79,826 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.56% higher than the national median of $79,380 and 8.30% above the Texas state average of $73,709.
Dietitian and Nutritionist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $38.38/hr = $47,899/year (purchasing power: $53,273).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $79,832/year (purchasing power: $88,789).
CoL index: 89.912 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$30.55/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$36.94/hr
2026 Current Est.
$38.38/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+30.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dietitians and Nutritionists in El Paso (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.90% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $30.55/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $33.80/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $28.42/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $29.48/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $31.26/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $30.48/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $36.94/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $38.38/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $39.88/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dietitians and nutritionists in El Paso grew 20.9% from $30.55/hr (2019) to $36.94/hr (2025). At a 3.90% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $39.88/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 El Paso 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 El Paso
Part-time dietitians and nutritionists working 24 hours a week in El Paso can expect a substantial income, amounting to roughly $47,977 annually, compared to their full-time counterparts who can earn significantly more. Per-diem and agency-employed RDNs can also capitalize on lucrative pay rates, billing between $50 and $80 per hour, with specialists in sports nutrition charging upwards of $150 for consulting sessions. Hourly wages vary according to employer type, with positions in hospital nutrition departments typically offering lower rates compared to cash-pay private practices or corporate wellness programs. In some cases, dietitians may accept lower hourly rates in exchange for benefits such as health insurance. It's advisable for professionals in the field to negotiate carefully; understanding local salary expectations and being aware of the growing cash-pay model can empower them to find the right balance between salary and benefits in the El Paso area. With the emergence of intuitive eating and Health at Every Size (HAES) approaches, cash-pay opportunities in private practice continue to rise, inviting a range of earning possibilities for dedicated RDNs.
More salary data for El Paso, TX:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for dietitians and nutritionists in El Paso in 2026?
How much do part-time dietitians and nutritionists make in El Paso?
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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 El Paso. 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