Dietitian and Nutritionist Hourly Pay in Charlotte, NC: $37.44 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dietitian and nutritionist working in Charlotte, NC runs $37.44 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $77,852 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1031). Weighted against Charlotte's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.3, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $38.45 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $46,719 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Charlotte, North Carolina, dietitian and nutritionist hourly pay stands at a median rate of $37.44, which slightly trails behind the national median of $38.16. This rate reflects the competitive nature of the field in a city where dietitians often find work in varied settings such as hospitals, outpatient clinics, long-term care facilities, and private practices. For those seeking part-time roles, such as working three days a week, earnings can be particularly attractive. Entry-level professionals may start around $28.35 per hour, while seasoned experts can command up to $49.48 per hour, showcasing a diverse salary range based on experience and specialization. Dietitian and nutritionist hourly rates in NC offer a solid career foundation for both full-time and per-diem workers, reflecting the evolving demands of the profession.
Dietitian and Nutritionist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $28.35 | $226.83 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $31.78 | $254.26 |
| Median (P50) | $37.44 | $299.48 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $41.00 | $327.99 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $49.48 | $395.82 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Charlotte
Based on $37.44/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $37.44/hr, a dietitian and nutritionist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Charlotte, NC can expect to earn approximately $77,865 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $44,922. With a cost-of-living index of 97.35 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Charlotte.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Charlotte
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,497.41 | $6,489 | $77,865 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $898.44 | $3,893 | $46,719 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $598.96 | $2,596 | $31,146 |
Compare DN Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dietitian and Nutritionist (Charlotte) | $37.44 |
| 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 Charlotte, NC earn a median of $77,852 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.92% lower than the national median of $79,380 and 11.40% above the North Carolina state average of $69,885.
Dietitian and Nutritionist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $37.44/hr = $46,719/year (purchasing power: $47,992).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $77,865/year (purchasing power: $79,986).
CoL index: 97.348 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$27.59/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$36.03/hr
2026 Current Est.
$37.44/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+41.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dietitians and Nutritionists in Charlotte (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.90% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $27.59/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $27.36/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $29.50/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $30.17/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $31.24/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $32.56/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $36.03/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $37.44/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $38.90/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dietitians and nutritionists in Charlotte grew 30.6% from $27.59/hr (2019) to $36.03/hr (2025). At a 3.90% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $38.90/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 Charlotte 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 Charlotte
Focusing on the earning potential for part-time roles reveals more nuance in the dietitian and nutritionist field. A dietitian and nutritionist working just three days a week could bring home a considerable income, especially compared to full-time positions. Many per-diem dietitians and nutritionists in Charlotte operate as independent contractors, billing rates between $50 to $80 per hour, with some specializing in sports nutrition consulting earning anywhere from $80 to $150 per hour. Additionally, cash-pay private practice dietitians might charge $150 to $300 per 60-minute session, making these roles particularly lucrative. Various employment settings lead to different hourly pay structures; for instance, while hospital-based roles often offer lower hourly wages, they provide benefits that private practice may not. Understanding this trade-off can help candidates negotiate effectively in Charlotte's job market, especially as the requirement for master's degrees becomes the standard for the RDN credential by 2024.
More salary data for Charlotte, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for dietitians and nutritionists in Charlotte in 2026?
How much do part-time dietitians and nutritionists make in Charlotte?
Are dietitians and nutritionists in Charlotte paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time dietitian and nutritionist make per year in Charlotte?
Do dietitians and nutritionists earn more per hour working part-time in Charlotte?
Related Pages
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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 Charlotte. 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