Dietitian and Nutritionist Hourly Pay in Roanoke, VA: $34.86 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dietitian and nutritionist working in Roanoke, VA runs $34.86 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $72,501 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1031). Weighted against Roanoke's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.6, 6% below national), each hour of work buys what $37.23 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $43,503 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Roanoke, Virginia, the dietitian and nutritionist hourly pay stands at a median rate of $34.86. This figure lags behind the national hourly median of $38.16, indicating a significant dependency on the local healthcare ecosystem and its economic conditions. For professionals seeking part-time opportunities, such as those working three days a week, this hourly rate translates into a reliable income while allowing for flexibility in both personal and professional pursuits. With entry-level positions starting at about $24.22 per hour and top earners reaching up to $47.56, the hourly range reflects various settings in which dietitians and nutritionists operate, including hospitals, outpatient clinics, school districts, and private practice. This official hourly data derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) illustrates the pay structure well for those considering various roles within the field.
Dietitian and Nutritionist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $24.22 | $193.75 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $29.65 | $237.22 |
| Median (P50) | $34.86 | $278.87 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $38.91 | $311.28 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $47.56 | $380.44 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Roanoke
Based on $34.86/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $34.86/hr, a dietitian and nutritionist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Roanoke, VA can expect to earn approximately $72,506 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $41,830. With a cost-of-living index of 93.62 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Roanoke.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Roanoke
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,394.34 | $6,042 | $72,506 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $836.60 | $3,625 | $43,503 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $557.74 | $2,417 | $29,002 |
Compare DN Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dietitian and Nutritionist (Roanoke) | $34.86 |
| 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 Roanoke, VA earn a median of $72,501 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.67% lower than the national median of $79,380 and 8.50% below the Virginia state average of $79,237.
Dietitian and Nutritionist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $34.86/hr = $43,503/year (purchasing power: $46,469).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $72,506/year (purchasing power: $77,448).
CoL index: 93.618 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$26.59/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$33.55/hr
2026 Current Est.
$34.86/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+36.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dietitians and Nutritionists in Roanoke (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.90% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $26.59/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $27.12/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $28.52/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $30.41/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $33.04/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $33.90/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $33.55/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $34.86/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $36.22/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dietitians and nutritionists in Roanoke grew 26.2% from $26.59/hr (2019) to $33.55/hr (2025). At a 3.90% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $36.22/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 Roanoke 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 Roanoke
When assessing the earning potential for a dietitian and nutritionist working part-time in Roanoke, a three-day workweek totaling 24 hours would yield approximately $43,000 annually, which contrasts sharply with full-time colleagues earning around $72,501 yearly. Additionally, many in the profession capitalize on per diem opportunities or agency work, with per diem dietitians and nutritionists often billing between $50 to $80 per hour. Notably, specialists in sports nutrition can command even higher fees, ranging from $80 to $150 per hour, while cash-pay private practice RDNs may charge between $150 and $300 for individual sessions. Hourly pay varies significantly across employer types in Roanoke—dietitians in hospitals may earn lower rates compared to those in corporate wellness programs or private practices, which often offer fewer benefits but higher hourly wages. This creates a trade-off where some professionals accept lower pay in exchange for health insurance and job stability. For those negotiating hourly pay in Roanoke, emphasizing specialized skills or certifications can lead to better compensation.
More salary data for Roanoke, VA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for dietitians and nutritionists in Roanoke in 2026?
How much do part-time dietitians and nutritionists make in Roanoke?
Are dietitians and nutritionists in Roanoke 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 Roanoke. 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