Dietitian and Nutritionist Hourly Pay in Fort Collins, CO: $37.23 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dietitian and nutritionist working in Fort Collins, CO runs $37.23 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $77,437 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1031). Weighted against Fort Collins's regional price level (BEA RPP 101.1, 1% above national), each hour of work buys what $36.81 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $46,460 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Dietitians and nutritionists in Fort Collins, Colorado, earn a median hourly rate of $37.23, which slightly trails the national median of $38.16. This hourly wage presents viable earning potential for both part-time professionals working three days a week and per-diem workers. Typical environments for dietitians and nutritionists, such as hospital clinical nutrition consult rounds, outpatient clinics, and private practice setups, allow for flexible scheduling, which can be particularly appealing to those looking to balance work with other commitments. For entry-level positions, hourly rates begin around $30.99, while experienced professionals can exceed $49.98, showcasing a range that reflects varying skill levels and specializations in this growing field.
Dietitian and Nutritionist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $30.99 | $247.95 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $32.25 | $258.00 |
| Median (P50) | $37.23 | $297.82 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $41.95 | $335.64 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $49.98 | $399.81 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Fort Collins
Based on $37.23/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $37.23/hr, a dietitian and nutritionist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Fort Collins, CO can expect to earn approximately $77,433 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $44,673. With a cost-of-living index of 101.13 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Fort Collins.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Fort Collins
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,489.09 | $6,453 | $77,433 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $893.46 | $3,872 | $46,460 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $595.64 | $2,581 | $30,973 |
Compare DN Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dietitian and Nutritionist (Fort Collins) | $37.23 |
| 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 Fort Collins, CO earn a median of $77,437 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.45% lower than the national median of $79,380 and 1.80% below the Colorado state average of $78,856.
Dietitian and Nutritionist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $37.23/hr = $46,460/year (purchasing power: $45,942).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $77,433/year (purchasing power: $76,569).
CoL index: 101.128 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$29.97/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$35.83/hr
2026 Current Est.
$37.23/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+29.1%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dietitians and Nutritionists in Fort Collins (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.90% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $29.97/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $24.31/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $29.58/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $30.36/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $32.96/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $35.84/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $35.83/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $37.23/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $38.68/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dietitians and nutritionists in Fort Collins grew 19.6% from $29.97/hr (2019) to $35.83/hr (2025). At a 3.90% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $38.68/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 Fort Collins 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 Fort Collins
When considering the financial implications of working part-time versus full-time, a dietitian and nutritionist dedicated to a 24-hour work week may find their annual earnings significantly different from those of full-time colleagues. Commonly, per-diem professionals in Fort Collins charge between $50 and $80 an hour, particularly for more specialized services such as sports nutrition consulting, which can command rates of $80 to $150 per hour. The hourly rates can differ based on employer types; for instance, positions in hospital settings often offer benefits but may come with lower pay compared to private practice, which can provide higher hourly rates without additional perks. Therefore, practitioners must weigh the trade-offs between salary and benefits, particularly when negotiating their pay. Understanding local market conditions, such as the demand for nutrition counseling or corporate wellness programs, is crucial for those seeking to maximize their dietitian and nutritionist hourly pay in Fort Collins, CO.
More salary data for Fort Collins, CO:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for dietitians and nutritionists in Fort Collins in 2026?
How much do part-time dietitians and nutritionists make in Fort Collins?
Are dietitians and nutritionists in Fort Collins 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 Fort Collins. 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