Dietitian and Nutritionist Hourly Pay in Knoxville, TN: $33.13 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dietitian and nutritionist working in Knoxville, TN runs $33.13 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $68,917 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1031). Weighted against Knoxville's regional price level (BEA RPP 92.6, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $35.79 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $41,351 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Dietitians and nutritionists in Knoxville, TN, earn a median hourly rate of $33.13, significantly lower than the national median of $38.16. This rate presents a practical consideration for part-time professionals, such as those working three days a week, who will likely earn a total of approximately $1,067 over a typical 24-hour workweek. In settings like outpatient clinics, long-term care facilities, and schools, the hourly range for dietitians and nutritionists ranges from about $23.90 for entry-level positions to $44.60 for top earners, reflecting the demand and scope of services provided. Official data from 2025, projected to 2026, indicates that this salary structure supports roles in diverse environments, giving career flexibility that can benefit both full-time practitioners and per-diem workers seeking varied opportunities.
Dietitian and Nutritionist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $23.90 | $191.18 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $26.73 | $213.87 |
| Median (P50) | $33.13 | $265.07 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $37.02 | $296.16 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $44.60 | $356.83 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Knoxville
Based on $33.13/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $33.13/hr, a dietitian and nutritionist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Knoxville, TN can expect to earn approximately $68,918 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $39,760. With a cost-of-living index of 92.57 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Knoxville.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Knoxville
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,325.35 | $5,743 | $68,918 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $795.21 | $3,446 | $41,351 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $530.14 | $2,297 | $27,567 |
Compare DN Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dietitian and Nutritionist (Knoxville) | $33.13 |
| 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 Knoxville, TN earn a median of $68,917 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.18% lower than the national median of $79,380 and 1.90% below the Tennessee state average of $70,252.
Dietitian and Nutritionist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $33.13/hr = $41,351/year (purchasing power: $44,670).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $68,918/year (purchasing power: $74,451).
CoL index: 92.569 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$26.45/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$31.89/hr
2026 Current Est.
$33.13/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+30.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dietitians and Nutritionists in Knoxville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.90% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $26.45/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $25.86/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $24.05/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $25.80/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $28.66/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $30.77/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $31.89/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $33.13/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $34.43/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dietitians and nutritionists in Knoxville grew 20.6% from $26.45/hr (2019) to $31.89/hr (2025). At a 3.90% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $34.43/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 Knoxville 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 Knoxville
For those contemplating part-time work, the financial outlook diverges notably from full-time employment. Assuming a part-time dietitian and nutritionist operates at 24 hours per week, they may earn around $52,000 annually, which falls short of their full-time colleagues. On the other hand, per-diem and agency roles can vastly increase earning potential; practitioners billing between $50 and $80 per hour can capitalize on flexible service offerings in private practice or sports nutrition consulting. While many professionals in Knoxville may accept lower hourly salaries for the stability of health benefits, others opt for higher pay rates to eliminate the insurance trade-off. Negotiating effectively can lead to opportunities that align more closely with personal financial goals and work-life balance. The evolving landscape — particularly with the 2024 shift to a master’s degree requirement for RDNs — marks a transformative moment in the profession, with cash-pay practices becoming more mainstream, presenting another avenue for increased hourly earnings.
More salary data for Knoxville, TN:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for dietitians and nutritionists in Knoxville in 2026?
How much do part-time dietitians and nutritionists make in Knoxville?
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How much does a full-time dietitian and nutritionist make per year in Knoxville?
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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 Knoxville. 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