How Much Do Dietitians Make with Insurance? Let’s Break Down That $100/Hour Myth
It’s your girl, Amy P., The Reimbursement Dietitian, and you know my mission — to make the reimbursement process for dietitians and CNSs simple, profitable, and repeatable.
day, we’re diving into a question I get all the time:
“How much do dietitians actually make with insurance?”
You’ve probably heard the hype: 💰 “You can make $100/hour as a dietitian!”
Heck, I’ve said it too — because it’s technically accurate. If you’re credentialed with insurance, many commercial payers reimburse $100/hour or more. A sh*t ton more. Oregon, I am looking at you.
But here’s the part most people don’t talk about…
Just because you make $100/hour doesn’t mean you keep $100/hour.
Let’s break down what that really looks like in a private practice that accepts insurance.
The Real Story Behind $100/hour
So you’re bringing home $100 per session. Sounds amazing, right?
But here’s where the hourly rate for insurance-based dietitians gets real:
After you factor in:
- Federal & state taxes
- Business software and EHR subscriptions
- Admin hours (follow-ups, scheduling, forms)
- Documentation time
- Credentialing and billing fees
- Time spent working without getting paid (emails, client prep, team meetings…)
You’re looking at closer to $60/hour in actual take-home pay. Not that is ‘bad’ by any means. It is just the truth of how business works.
Why This Still Isn’t Bad News
This isn’t meant to scare you — it’s to help you be smart. If you’re wondering how much dietitians make with insurance, the key is to look at net income, not just gross.
👉 Smart RDs track expenses
👉 Smart RDs optimize their admin time
👉 Smart RDs build systems that scale
Because what matters most isn’t just what you bill — it’s what you keep.
Want to Build a Profitable, Sustainable Practice?
If you’re ready to start or grow an insurance-based practice that pays you well and keeps your sanity intact…
My coaching program teaches you:
- How to get credentialed fast
- How to bill clean claims and get paid
- How to grow without burning out
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