Dietitian and Nutritionist Hourly Pay in Alexandria, LA: $37.73 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dietitian and nutritionist working in Alexandria, LA runs $37.73 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $78,465 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1031). Weighted against Alexandria's regional price level (BEA RPP 85.7, 14% below national), each hour of work buys what $44.03 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $47,082 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Dietitians and nutritionists in Alexandria, Louisiana, can expect a median hourly pay of $37.73, which is slightly below the national median of $38.16. This hourly rate reflects the earning potential in various settings, including clinical roles, outpatient counseling, and community health initiatives. For part-time workers, such as those working three days a week, the income can be significant, translating to $33,238 annually based on a 24-hour workweek. The hourly pay also varies considerably; entry-level positions start at $26.97, while top earners in the field can command rates up to $51.64 per hour. These figures are based on projected data derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data, projecting the trends for 2026.
Dietitian and Nutritionist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $26.97 | $215.78 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $29.12 | $232.99 |
| Median (P50) | $37.73 | $301.81 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $41.93 | $335.47 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $51.64 | $413.11 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Alexandria
Based on $37.73/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $37.73/hr, a dietitian and nutritionist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Alexandria, LA can expect to earn approximately $78,470 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $45,271. With a cost-of-living index of 85.69 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Alexandria.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Alexandria
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,509.04 | $6,539 | $78,470 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $905.43 | $3,924 | $47,082 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $603.62 | $2,616 | $31,388 |
Compare DN Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dietitian and Nutritionist (Alexandria) | $37.73 |
| 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 Alexandria, LA earn a median of $78,465 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.15% lower than the national median of $79,380 and 5.10% above the Louisiana state average of $74,658.
Dietitian and Nutritionist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $37.73/hr = $47,082/year (purchasing power: $54,947).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $78,470/year (purchasing power: $91,579).
CoL index: 85.686 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$27.72/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$36.31/hr
2026 Current Est.
$37.73/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+41.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dietitians and Nutritionists in Alexandria (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.90% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $27.72/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $29.11/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $29.40/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $30.76/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $33.85/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $37.37/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $36.31/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $37.73/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $39.20/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dietitians and nutritionists in Alexandria grew 31.0% from $27.72/hr (2019) to $36.31/hr (2025). At a 3.90% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $39.20/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 Alexandria 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 Alexandria
In terms of part-time earnings, a dietitian and nutritionist working 24 hours a week might realistically earn less than their full-time counterparts, who benefit from a more consistent workflow and related benefits. Per diem dietitian and nutritionist pay in Alexandria can offer lucrative opportunities, with many professionals billing between $50 and $80 per hour for agency or locum work. For those specializing in sports nutrition, rates can soar to between $80 and $150 per hour, while cash-pay private practice RDNs might charge up to $300 for a session. Rates can fluctuate depending on the employer; hospital clinical nutrition departments and long-term care facilities often pay lower hourly rates compared to private practices and sports performance settings. Many professionals must weigh the benefits of some positions that offer health insurance against higher pay rates in private practice contexts. For hourly workers in Alexandria, negotiating for fair compensation is key, particularly as the profession shifts with changes such as the new master's degree requirement by 2024 under the CDR guidelines.
More salary data for Alexandria, LA:
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 Alexandria. 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