Dietitian Pay

Elizabeth vs Newark: Dietitian and Nutritionist Salary (2026)

Compare dietitian and nutritionist salaries between Elizabeth, NJ and Newark, NJ. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Elizabeth, NJ
$92,282
$44.37/hr
Newark, NJ
$90,204
$43.37/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricElizabeth, NJNewark, NJ
Median Salary$92,282$90,204
Hourly Rate$44.37$43.37
Entry Level (P10)$61,589$52,318
25th Percentile$77,657$75,062
75th Percentile$110,798$110,141
Top Earner (P90)$130,144$131,394
Total Employed2561
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Elizabeth ($92,282) and Newark ($90,204) dietitian and nutritionist salaries.ElizabethNewarkMedian Salary$92,282$90,204Entry Level (P10)$61,589$52,318Top Earner (P90)$130,144$131,394US Median $79,380

Verdict

Elizabeth and Newark are closely matched on overall dietitian and nutritionist compensation, each winning on different metrics.

The salary gap between Elizabeth and Newark is $2,078 (2.30%). Elizabeth's median is +16.25% compared to the US national median of $79,380.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Elizabeth spans $68,555,Newark spans $79,076. Newark has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced dietitian and nutritionists.

Elizabeth
P10 (Entry)$61,589
P25$77,657
Median$92,282
P75$110,798
P90 (Top)$130,144
Newark
P10 (Entry)$52,318
P25$75,062
Median$90,204
P75$110,141
P90 (Top)$131,394

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Elizabeth ($80,106 effective) pays 2.30% more than Newark ($78,302 effective).

Elizabeth
Nominal: $92,282
CoL Index: 115.2
Adjusted: $80,106
Newark
Nominal: $90,204
CoL Index: 115.2
Adjusted: $78,302

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Elizabeth if…

  • Higher median salary ($92,282/year)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $80,106)
  • You prefer the New Jersey area and lifestyle

Choose Newark if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($131,394)
  • Larger job market (61 employed)
  • You prefer the New Jersey area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dietitian and nutritionist salaries in Elizabeth grew 0.5% from 2024 to 2025, compared to -5.7% growth in Newark over the same period.

Elizabeth, NJ

+0.5%

$88,353 (2024) → $88,818 (2025)

Newark, NJ

+-5.7%

$92,066 (2024) → $86,818 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dietitian and nutritionists more: Elizabeth or Newark?

Elizabeth has a higher median dietitian and nutritionist salary at $92,282/year, compared to Newark at $90,204/year — a difference of $2,078 (2.30%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Elizabeth and Newark?

Elizabeth dietitian and nutritionists earn $44.37/hr while Newark hygienists earn $43.37/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Elizabeth to Newark as a dietitian and nutritionist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Elizabeth and Newark. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Elizabeth = $80,106, Newark = $78,302), job availability (25 vs 61 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level dietitian and nutritionists earn in Elizabeth vs Newark?

Entry-level (10th percentile) dietitian and nutritionists earn $61,589 in Elizabeth and $52,318 in Newark. The Elizabeth area offers higher starting salaries.
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