Dietitian Pay

Burnsville vs Rochester: Dietitian and Nutritionist Salary (2026)

Compare dietitian and nutritionist salaries between Burnsville, MN and Rochester, MN. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Burnsville, MN
$77,106
$37.07/hr
Rochester, MN
$83,463
$40.13/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBurnsville, MNRochester, MN
Median Salary$77,106$83,463
Hourly Rate$37.07$40.13
Entry Level (P10)$52,431$66,652
25th Percentile$65,251$69,904
75th Percentile$91,502$96,076
Top Earner (P90)$105,944$100,160
Total Employed9120
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Burnsville ($77,106) and Rochester ($83,463) dietitian and nutritionist salaries.BurnsvilleRochesterMedian Salary$77,106$83,463Entry Level (P10)$52,431$66,652Top Earner (P90)$105,944$100,160US Median $79,380

Verdict

Rochester, MN offers better overall compensation for dietitians and nutritionists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Burnsville.

The salary gap between Burnsville and Rochester is $6,357 (8.24%). Rochester's median is +5.14% compared to the US national median of $79,380.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Burnsville spans $53,513,Rochester spans $33,508. Burnsville has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Burnsville
P10 (Entry)$52,431
P25$65,251
Median$77,106
P75$91,502
P90 (Top)$105,944
Rochester
P10 (Entry)$66,652
P25$69,904
Median$83,463
P75$96,076
P90 (Top)$100,160

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Rochester ($91,898 effective) pays 17.40% more than Burnsville ($78,280 effective).

Burnsville
Nominal: $77,106
CoL Index: 98.5
Adjusted: $78,280
Rochester
Nominal: $83,463
CoL Index: 90.821
Adjusted: $91,898

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Burnsville if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($105,944)
  • You prefer the Minnesota area and lifestyle

Choose Rochester if…

  • Higher median salary ($83,463/year)
  • Larger job market (120 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $91,898)
  • You prefer the Minnesota area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dietitian and nutritionist salaries in Burnsville grew 6.1% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 27.1% growth in Rochester over the same period.

Burnsville, MN

+6.1%

$69,938 (2024) → $74,212 (2025)

Rochester, MN

+27.1%

$63,220 (2019) → $80,330 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dietitian and nutritionists more: Burnsville or Rochester?

Rochester has a higher median dietitian and nutritionist salary at $83,463/year, compared to Burnsville at $77,106/year — a difference of $6,357 (8.24%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Burnsville and Rochester?

Burnsville dietitian and nutritionists earn $37.07/hr while Rochester hygienists earn $40.13/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Burnsville to Rochester as a dietitian and nutritionist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Burnsville and Rochester. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Burnsville = $78,280, Rochester = $91,898), job availability (9 vs 120 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level dietitian and nutritionists earn in Burnsville vs Rochester?

Entry-level (10th percentile) dietitian and nutritionists earn $52,431 in Burnsville and $66,652 in Rochester. The Rochester area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

AP

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.

Clinically reviewed by Carlos Gomez, RDNData verified by Emily Chen, MS, RDN

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 3.90% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

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