Dietitian and Nutritionist Hourly Pay in Radford, VA: $36.42 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dietitian and nutritionist working in Radford, VA runs $36.42 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $75,752 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1031). Weighted against Radford's regional price level (BEA RPP 103.2, 3% above national), each hour of work buys what $35.29 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $45,448 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Radford, Virginia, the projected median hourly pay for dietitians and nutritionists in 2026 is $36.42, which is notably lower than the national hourly median of $38.16. This hourly rate suggests that professionals working part-time or in per-diem capacities may earn significantly different amounts depending on their employment settings. For instance, in typical environments such as hospitals, outpatient clinics, or school kitchens, part-time roles covering three days a week (approximately 24 hours) could yield around $875 to $1,000 per week, depending on the hours worked and specific duties performed. With an hourly range stretching from $24.41 at the lower end to $45.17 for the top earners, the variety in jobs available allows for flexibility and adaptability, catering to needs across employee and employer expectations.
About the Radford Market
Salary estimated from Virginia average ($66,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Dietitian and Nutritionist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $24.41 | $195.25 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $31.93 | $255.43 |
| Median (P50) | $36.42 | $291.34 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $40.64 | $325.08 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $45.17 | $361.32 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Radford
Based on $36.42/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $36.42/hr, a dietitian and nutritionist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Radford, VA can expect to earn approximately $75,747 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $43,700. With a cost-of-living index of 103.20 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Radford.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Radford
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,456.68 | $6,312 | $75,747 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $874.01 | $3,787 | $45,448 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $582.67 | $2,525 | $30,299 |
Compare DN Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dietitian and Nutritionist (Radford) | $36.42 |
| 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 Radford, VA earn a median of $75,752 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.57% lower than the national median of $79,380 and 4.40% below the Virginia state average of $79,239.
Dietitian and Nutritionist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $36.42/hr = $45,448/year (purchasing power: $44,039).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $75,747/year (purchasing power: $73,399).
CoL index: 103.2 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$28.11/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$35.05/hr
2026 Current Est.
$36.42/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+34.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dietitians and Nutritionists in Radford (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.90% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $28.11/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $28.94/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $28.28/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $30.49/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $31.97/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $31.32/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $35.05/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $36.42/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $37.84/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dietitians and nutritionists in Radford grew 24.7% from $28.11/hr (2019) to $35.05/hr (2025). At a 3.90% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $37.84/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 Radford 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 Radford
When considering the earning potential for part-time dietitians and nutritionists in Radford, working three days a week translates to annual earnings that could fall short of full-time income but still maintain a reasonable standard of living, especially with increased demand for cash-pay practices. Per-diem arrangements can offer enticing rates, as many dietitian and nutritionist professionals bill between $50 to $80 per hour, with specialized consulting in sports nutrition fetching $80 to $150 per hour. Furthermore, those engaged in private practice may charge $150 to $300 per 60-minute session. Variation in hourly rates primarily stems from the type of employer, with those in hospital settings typically earning less than those in private practice or corporate wellness roles. This trade-off between hourly pay and employment benefits, like health insurance, makes it critical for practitioners to weigh their options carefully. Effective negotiation skills also play a key role in securing favorable pay, emphasizing the need for awareness of local employment trends and compensation benchmarks within Radford's health and wellness community.
More salary data for Radford, VA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for dietitians and nutritionists in Radford in 2026?
How much do part-time dietitians and nutritionists make in Radford?
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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 Radford. 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 Radford 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