Dietitian and Nutritionist Hourly Pay in Madison, WI: $37.59 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dietitian and nutritionist working in Madison, WI runs $37.59 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $78,185 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1031). Weighted against Madison's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.3, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $38.64 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $46,914 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Madison, Wisconsin, the projected dietitian and nutritionist hourly pay stands at $37.59, slightly below the national median of $38.16. This hourly rate is a significant consideration for those in part-time positions, including a typical three-day workweek scenario, where a dietitian may effectively earn around $2,080 per month before taxes. Such roles often exist in various settings like hospitals, outpatient clinics, and educational institutions, catering to clinical nutrition consults, meal planning, and dietary counseling. For those just starting or at the top of their field, the hourly compensation ranges from $31.73 to $49.10, offering a clear pathway for career growth and financial stability based on experience and specialization.
Dietitian and Nutritionist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $31.73 | $253.85 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $32.81 | $262.49 |
| Median (P50) | $37.59 | $300.73 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $41.15 | $329.24 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $49.10 | $392.83 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Madison
Based on $37.59/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $37.59/hr, a dietitian and nutritionist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Madison, WI can expect to earn approximately $78,189 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $45,109. With a cost-of-living index of 97.29 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Madison.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Madison
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,503.64 | $6,516 | $78,189 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $902.18 | $3,909 | $46,914 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $601.46 | $2,606 | $31,276 |
Compare DN Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dietitian and Nutritionist (Madison) | $37.59 |
| 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 Madison, WI earn a median of $78,185 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.51% lower than the national median of $79,380.
Dietitian and Nutritionist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $37.59/hr = $46,914/year (purchasing power: $48,222).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $78,189/year (purchasing power: $80,370).
CoL index: 97.287 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$29.15/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$36.18/hr
2026 Current Est.
$37.59/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+34.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dietitians and Nutritionists in Madison (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.90% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $29.15/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $29.23/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $29.83/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $30.14/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $32.04/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $33.30/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $36.18/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $37.59/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $39.06/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dietitians and nutritionists in Madison grew 24.1% from $29.15/hr (2019) to $36.18/hr (2025). At a 3.90% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $39.06/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 Madison 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 Madison
Understanding the potential earning dynamics reveals intriguing facets for part-time and per-diem professionals in the field. A dietitian working 24 hours a week might take home approximately $49,920 annually, compared to full-timers who typically earn more. Many per diem dietitian and nutritionist positions can bill between $50 and $80 per hour, with niche areas like sports nutrition consulting allowing for rates between $80 and $150 per hour. In Madison, varying employer types, from clinical settings to long-term care and private practice, expose dietitians to different pay scales; some choose lower hourly wages for the security of benefits while others pursue higher hourly rates without medical insurance. When negotiating hourly pay, it's crucial to consider both immediate compensation and long-term career goals, especially in a city like Madison that boosts a cost of living index below the national average.
More salary data for Madison, WI:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 Madison. 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