Dietitian and Nutritionist Hourly Pay in Mountlake Terrace, WA: $36.49 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dietitian and nutritionist working in Mountlake Terrace, WA runs $36.49 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $75,900 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1031). Weighted against Mountlake Terrace's regional price level (BEA RPP 107.4, 7% above national), each hour of work buys what $33.98 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $45,539 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In 2026, the dietitian and nutritionist hourly pay in Mountlake Terrace, WA is projected to be $36.49, slightly below the national median of $38.16. This rate offers competitive opportunities for both part-time professionals and those seeking per-diem work, which is especially common in various settings such as hospitals, outpatient clinics, and school districts. For part-time employment, a dietitian working three days a week could expect to earn around $36,000 annually based on this hourly rate, which can complement freelancers who may work less consistently. Within the field, hourly compensation ranges from $25.69 for entry-level roles up to $47.69 for experienced practitioners, reflecting the diverse roles found in clinical nutrition, sports nutrition, and private practice. Thus, understanding the local pay scale is crucial for those entering the profession in Mountlake Terrace as they transition to master's-level requirements for registered dietitian nutritionists.
About the Mountlake Terrace Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($80,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Dietitian and Nutritionist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $25.69 | $205.56 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $31.34 | $250.69 |
| Median (P50) | $36.49 | $291.92 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $42.22 | $337.80 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $47.69 | $381.52 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Mountlake Terrace
Based on $36.49/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $36.49/hr, a dietitian and nutritionist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Mountlake Terrace, WA can expect to earn approximately $75,899 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $43,788. With a cost-of-living index of 107.40 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Mountlake Terrace.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Mountlake Terrace
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,459.59 | $6,325 | $75,899 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $875.75 | $3,795 | $45,539 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $583.83 | $2,530 | $30,359 |
Compare DN Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dietitian and Nutritionist (Mountlake Terrace) | $36.49 |
| 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 Mountlake Terrace, WA earn a median of $75,900 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.38% lower than the national median of $79,380 and 7.40% below the Washington state average of $81,965.
Dietitian and Nutritionist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $36.49/hr = $45,539/year (purchasing power: $42,401).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $75,899/year (purchasing power: $70,669).
CoL index: 107.4 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$28.16/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$35.12/hr
2026 Current Est.
$36.49/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+34.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dietitians and Nutritionists in Mountlake Terrace (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.90% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $28.16/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $29.00/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $28.34/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $30.55/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $32.03/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $38.24/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $35.12/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $36.49/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $37.91/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dietitians and nutritionists in Mountlake Terrace grew 24.7% from $28.16/hr (2019) to $35.12/hr (2025). At a 3.90% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $37.91/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 Mountlake Terrace 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 Mountlake Terrace
Per-diem and agency dietitians often take home significantly more, with many billing between $50 to $80 per hour, which diverges from traditional roles that might offer health benefits but lower hourly compensation. Consider a 24-hour work week: full-time dietitians in Mountlake Terrace might have more predictable earnings, but many skilled practitioners chase high-demand gigs in sports nutrition, where rates can reach $150 per hour or more for specialty consultations. For those in the private practice sector, a cash-pay structure can lead to rates of $150-$300 per 60-minute session, which is reflective of the trend towards customer-payer models in nutrition therapy. Understanding how hourly rates correlate to different employment types, from clinical services to corporate wellness settings, will help new entrants make informed decisions around potential earnings. Furthermore, when negotiating contracts or hourly rates, professionals should assess non-monetary benefits such as health insurance, retirement plans, and job security against the enticing allure of higher hourly pay in Mountlake Terrace's diverse nutrition landscape.
More salary data for Mountlake Terrace, WA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for dietitians and nutritionists in Mountlake Terrace in 2026?
How much do part-time dietitians and nutritionists make in Mountlake Terrace?
Are dietitians and nutritionists in Mountlake Terrace paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time dietitian and nutritionist make per year in Mountlake Terrace?
Do dietitians and nutritionists earn more per hour working part-time in Mountlake Terrace?
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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 Mountlake Terrace. 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 Mountlake Terrace 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