Dietitian and Nutritionist Hourly Pay in Fresno, CA: $46.69 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dietitian and nutritionist working in Fresno, CA runs $46.69 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $97,115 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1031). Weighted against Fresno's regional price level (BEA RPP 102.2, 2% above national), each hour of work buys what $45.71 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $58,272 per year.
Official BLS data · View source

Dietitians and nutritionists in Fresno, California, command a median hourly rate of $46.69, which notably exceeds the national hourly median of $38.16. This higher pay reflects the regional demand for these professionals, allowing various work arrangements—from part-time shifts of three days a week to per-diem positions with flexible rotations. In typical work environments such as hospital clinical settings, outpatient clinics, schools, and private practices, Fresno-based dietitians can find themselves earning between $24.12 at entry-level positions and up to $55.50 as top earners. Such a competitive hourly pay structure makes the profession quite appealing for both new entrants and seasoned experts looking to navigate different healthcare specialties or consulting opportunities. This information derives from official 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected for 2026.
Dietitian and Nutritionist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $24.12 | $192.92 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $37.84 | $302.72 |
| Median (P50) | $46.69 | $373.54 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $50.82 | $406.54 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $55.50 | $444.03 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Fresno
Based on $46.69/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $46.69/hr, a dietitian and nutritionist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Fresno, CA can expect to earn approximately $97,121 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $56,031. With a cost-of-living index of 102.16 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Fresno.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Fresno
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,867.71 | $8,093 | $97,121 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,120.62 | $4,856 | $58,272 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $747.08 | $3,237 | $38,848 |
Compare DN Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dietitian and Nutritionist (Fresno) | $46.69 |
| 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 Fresno, CA earn a median of $97,115 per year (2026 est.), which is 22.34% higher than the national median of $79,380 and 4.50% below the California state average of $101,691.
Dietitian and Nutritionist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $46.69/hr = $58,272/year (purchasing power: $57,041).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $97,121/year (purchasing power: $95,069).
CoL index: 102.158 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$35.20/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$44.94/hr
2026 Current Est.
$46.69/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+37.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dietitians and Nutritionists in Fresno (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.90% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $35.20/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $37.35/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $37.12/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $38.21/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $38.71/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $41.63/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $44.94/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $46.69/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $48.51/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dietitians and nutritionists in Fresno grew 27.7% from $35.20/hr (2019) to $44.94/hr (2025). At a 3.90% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $48.51/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 Fresno 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 Fresno
Exploring the income potential for those opting for part-time work as a dietitian or nutritionist reveals significant earnings, especially for those working three days a week, totaling around 24 hours per week. Such a schedule can yield roughly $58,936 annually, contrasting sharply with full-time colleagues who benefit from benefits tied to a more conventional schedule. For professionals engaging in per-diem or agency work, the situation can be even more lucrative, with reports of billing rates between $50 and $80 per hour, primarily for short-term contracts. Sports nutrition consultants often charge even higher, with fees of $80 to $150 per session, while cash-pay private practice RDNs may collect between $150 and $300 for 60-minute consultations. Hourly rates significantly fluctuate depending on the employer type in Fresno, including hospitals, long-term care facilities, public health clinics, and corporate wellness programs. This disparity often leads dietitians to weigh the trade-offs between higher hourly rates that lack benefits versus more stable employment that offers health insurance. For those negotiating hourly rates in Fresno, understanding the value of their services relative to various settings is crucial for achieving the best compensation possible.
More salary data for Fresno, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for dietitians and nutritionists in Fresno in 2026?
How much do part-time dietitians and nutritionists make in Fresno?
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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 Fresno. 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