Dietitian and Nutritionist Hourly Pay in Frankfort, KY: $33.38 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dietitian and nutritionist working in Frankfort, KY runs $33.38 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $69,438 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1031). Weighted against Frankfort's regional price level (BEA RPP 89.3, 11% below national), each hour of work buys what $37.38 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $41,662 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Frankfort, Kentucky, a dietitian and nutritionist can expect to earn a median hourly rate of $33.38, which is notably lower than the national median hourly rate of $38.16. This figure offers insight into the earnings potential for part-time workers in this field, such as those working three days a week in settings like hospital clinical nutrition consult rounds or outpatient clinic counseling rooms. For part-time or per-diem roles, this hourly pay translates into a comfortable wage, allowing for flexibility in scheduling and work-life balance. Entry-level dietitians may earn as little as $21.40 per hour, while more experienced professionals can command rates up to $45.47, reflecting the wide variation in pay based on experience and specific work environments within Frankfort's healthcare and wellness sectors.
About the Frankfort Market
Salary estimated from Kentucky average ($60,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Dietitian and Nutritionist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $21.40 | $171.23 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $27.21 | $217.69 |
| Median (P50) | $33.38 | $267.06 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $38.26 | $306.05 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $45.47 | $363.73 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Frankfort
Based on $33.38/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $33.38/hr, a dietitian and nutritionist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Frankfort, KY can expect to earn approximately $69,437 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $40,060. With a cost-of-living index of 89.30 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Frankfort.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Frankfort
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,335.32 | $5,786 | $69,437 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $801.19 | $3,472 | $41,662 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $534.13 | $2,315 | $27,775 |
Compare DN Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dietitian and Nutritionist (Frankfort) | $33.38 |
| 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 Frankfort, KY earn a median of $69,438 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.52% lower than the national median of $79,380 and 2.00% below the Kentucky state average of $70,856.
Dietitian and Nutritionist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $33.38/hr = $41,662/year (purchasing power: $46,654).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $69,437/year (purchasing power: $77,757).
CoL index: 89.3 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$25.77/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$32.13/hr
2026 Current Est.
$33.38/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+34.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dietitians and Nutritionists in Frankfort (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.90% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $25.77/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $26.53/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $25.93/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $27.95/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $29.30/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $25.23/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $32.13/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $33.38/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $34.69/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dietitians and nutritionists in Frankfort grew 24.7% from $25.77/hr (2019) to $32.13/hr (2025). At a 3.90% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $34.69/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 Frankfort 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 Frankfort
When considering annual earnings, a dietitian and nutritionist working part-time for 24 hours a week in Frankfort would take home considerably less than their full-time counterparts. Those engaged in per diem or agency work often see a different financial reality, billing $50 to $80 per hour for general consultations, and even higher for specialized services such as sports nutrition consulting, which can reach up to $150 per hour. In terms of employer variation, hourly rates can differ significantly across settings such as long-term care facilities, outpatient clinics, and private practices. While some may opt for positions with lower hourly fees due to benefits like health insurance, others pursue higher-paying, yet less stable, roles in private practice or cash-pay environments. Negotiation plays a critical role for hourly workers, where understanding the local market and personal value can help secure competitive rates in Frankfort’s dietetics community.
More salary data for Frankfort, KY:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Career Resources
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 Frankfort. 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 Frankfort 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