Dietitian Pay

Kingston vs Rochester: Dietitian and Nutritionist Salary (2026)

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

Kingston, NY
$80,751
$38.83/hr
Rochester, NY
$75,857
$36.47/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricKingston, NYRochester, NY
Median Salary$80,751$75,857
Hourly Rate$38.83$36.47
Entry Level (P10)$60,615$66,018
25th Percentile$70,631$68,595
75th Percentile$93,209$82,995
Top Earner (P90)$100,658$94,248
Total Employed30310
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Kingston ($80,751) and Rochester ($75,857) dietitian and nutritionist salaries.KingstonRochesterMedian Salary$80,751$75,857Entry Level (P10)$60,615$66,018Top Earner (P90)$100,658$94,248US Median $79,380

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Kingston and Rochester is $4,894 (6.45%). Kingston's median is +1.73% compared to the US national median of $79,380.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Kingston spans $40,043,Rochester spans $28,230. Kingston has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Kingston
P10 (Entry)$60,615
P25$70,631
Median$80,751
P75$93,209
P90 (Top)$100,658
Rochester
P10 (Entry)$66,018
P25$68,595
Median$75,857
P75$82,995
P90 (Top)$94,248

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Kingston ($80,183 effective) pays 2.57% more than Rochester ($78,175 effective).

Kingston
Nominal: $80,751
CoL Index: 100.709
Adjusted: $80,183
Rochester
Nominal: $75,857
CoL Index: 97.035
Adjusted: $78,175

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Kingston if…

  • Higher median salary ($80,751/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($100,658)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $80,183)
  • You prefer the New York area and lifestyle

Choose Rochester if…

  • Larger job market (310 employed)
  • You prefer the New York area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dietitian and nutritionist salaries in Kingston grew 12.9% from 2020 to 2025, compared to 26.0% growth in Rochester over the same period.

Kingston, NY

+12.9%

$68,830 (2020) → $77,720 (2025)

Rochester, NY

+26.0%

$57,940 (2019) → $73,010 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Kingston has a higher median dietitian and nutritionist salary at $80,751/year, compared to Rochester at $75,857/year — a difference of $4,894 (6.45%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Kingston and Rochester?

Kingston dietitian and nutritionists earn $38.83/hr while Rochester hygienists earn $36.47/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Kingston and Rochester. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Kingston = $80,183, Rochester = $78,175), job availability (30 vs 310 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) dietitian and nutritionists earn $60,615 in Kingston and $66,018 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