Registered Dietitian jobs in Fort Smith, AR
The median registered dietitian pay in Arkansas is $29.20 per hour ($60,740 a year), with the typical range running from $26.40 to $34.11. That is 18% below the U.S. median of $35.50 per hour. The CMS hospital directory lists 2 hospitals in Fort Smith. Tell us your role and we email current openings near Fort Smith.
- $29.20median pay per hour, Arkansas
- $26–$34typical range per hour
- 86cost of living index (U.S. = 100)
Registered Dietitian pay in Fort Smith, AR
Nationally the median is $35.50 per hour. BLS counts about 690 dietitians and nutritionists employed in Arkansas.
| Level | Per hour | Per year | Compared with U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lowest 10% | $22.12 | $46,010 | 38% below U.S. median |
| Lower quartile | $26.40 | $54,910 | 26% below U.S. median |
| Median | $29.20 | $60,740 | 18% below U.S. median |
| Upper quartile | $34.11 | $70,950 | 4% below U.S. median |
| Top 10% | $42.38 | $88,150 | 19% above U.S. median |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024, Dietitians and Nutritionists (SOC 29-1031), all industries. This is what employers report paying, not an offer for a specific role.
What your pay buys in Fort Smith
- Overall prices in Fort Smith run 14% below the U.S. average (index 85.9, U.S. = 100).
- Housing is the biggest driver: 47% below the U.S. average (index 53.4).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024. Prices are for the metro area, not for a single neighborhood.
Get the Fort Smith Registered Dietitian pay report
Named employers near Fort Smith, what they pay and the roles open now. Free for candidates, email only.
Get my free pay reportEstimate your Fort Smith paycheck
- Per year: $52,560
- Per month: $4,380
Gross pay before taxes and benefits, from BLS pay levels for Arkansas. For take-home pay use the take-home pay calculator.
Travel assignment per diem in Fort Smith
| Item | Federal rate |
|---|---|
| Lodging per night | $110 |
| Meals and incidentals per day | $68 |
| Per week (7 nights, 7 days) | $1,246 |
| 13-week assignment | $16,198 |
Travel registered dietitian assignments commonly pay housing and meals stipends. The GSA per diem is the federal benchmark for what those stipends can be tax-free (this is the standard rate that applies here). Whether a stipend is tax-free for you depends on keeping a valid tax home, so confirm with your recruiter and a tax professional. Compare with your offer in the travel pay calculator.
Source: U.S. General Services Administration per diem rates, fiscal year 2026 (average across months).
Hospitals in Fort Smith
CMS lists 2 hospitals in Fort Smith, 0 of the 2 rated ones with 4 or 5 stars. Hospitals are a major employer of registered dietitians.
| Hospital | Type | Ownership | CMS rating | Emergency |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mercy Hospital Fort Smith Fort Smith, AR | Acute care | Nonprofit | 3 of 5 | Yes |
| Baptist Health - Fort Smith Fort Smith, AR | Acute care | Nonprofit | 2 of 5 | Yes |
Source: CMS Hospital General Information, public data. A directory of hospitals, not a list of our clients.
Registered Dietitian pay in nearby cities
| City | Distance | Median pay | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fayetteville, AR | 51 mi | $30.91/hr | 103,134 |
| Springdale, AR | 59 mi | $30.91/hr | 89,368 |
| Rogers, AR | 68 mi | $30.91/hr | 75,639 |
| Bentonville, AR | 70 mi | $30.91/hr | 61,791 |
| Broken Arrow, OK | 92 mi | $34.00/hr | 122,756 |
| Tulsa, OK | 101 mi | $34.00/hr | 415,154 |
Registered Dietitian jobs in Arkansas · Registered Dietitian jobs nationwide
License and tax basics in Arkansas
RD credential from the CDR. Credentials are issued state by state, so confirm what Arkansas requires for your role with the Arkansas licensing board and with your recruiter before you commit to a start date.
Arkansas taxes wage income. Use your own rates in the take-home pay calculator.
Other healthcare roles in Fort Smith
Fort Smith city guide: hospitals, employers and licensing
Common questions
How much do registered dietitians make in Fort Smith, AR?
Registered Dietitians in Arkansas have a median pay of $29.20 per hour, about $60,740 a year. The middle half earn between $26.40 and $34.11 per hour (BLS, May 2024).
Where do registered dietitians work in Fort Smith?
CMS lists 2 hospitals in Fort Smith, led by Mercy Hospital Fort Smith. Ask for the free report to see current openings and pay.
Do I need a Arkansas license to work in Fort Smith as a registered dietitian?
RD credential from the CDR. Credentials are issued state by state, so confirm what Arkansas requires for your role with the Arkansas licensing board and with your recruiter before you commit to a start date. Confirm with the board before you accept a role.
What is the per diem for a travel assignment in Fort Smith?
The federal per diem benchmark in Fort Smith is $110 a night for lodging and $68 a day for meals and incidentals, about $1,246 a week (GSA, fiscal year 2026). Your actual stipend depends on the assignment and your tax home.
Does Valorem Health place registered dietitians in Fort Smith?
Yes. We place healthcare staff in Fort Smith and across Arkansas. Tell us your profession and we email the roles open near Fort Smith.
What do employers near Fort Smith pay registered dietitians? Get the report.
Tell us your role and city. Within 24 hours you get an email with three things, by employer name. It costs you nothing, because employers pay us.
- 1Pay for your role at other hospitals
The hourly pay at named employers near you, so you see who pays most.
- 2What they are offering now
The pay range and median across current postings, and how many were posted this month.
- 3Roles open for you right now
Every current opening near you with pay, shift and start date. Reply with one click.
Get your free pay report
20+ Registered Dietitian roles in Arkansas, sent free by email
Tell us who you are and what you do. We email the report within 24 hours on business days.
Your Dietitian pay reportTop-paying hospitals shown · your Arkansas list by name comes with the full report
1Pay for your role at other hospitals
- CommonSpirit HealthSTOCKTON, CA · 8 postings$49.30/ hr$39–$64
- Emanate HealthWest Covina, CA · 3 postings$42.76/ hr$34–$62
- Sentara HealthcareHarrisonburg, VA · 3 postings$42.75/ hr$35–$60
- Central Maine Healthcare CorporationAnaheim, CA · 7 postings$42.00/ hr$28–$55
Median posted pay per hour, with the range each employer published. Request your Arkansas list
2What they are offering now
181 Dietitian postings with published pay in the US, 140 of them posted in the last 30 days. Month-by-month history by employer comes with your full report.
3Open Dietitian roles
Open Dietitian roles near Fort Smith, AR, each with pay, shift and start date, arrive with your report.