Dietitian Pay

Manassas vs Virginia Beach: Dietitian and Nutritionist Salary (2026)

Compare dietitian and nutritionist salaries between Manassas, VA and Virginia Beach, VA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Manassas, VA
$77,009
$37.02/hr
Virginia Beach, VA
$79,587
$38.27/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricManassas, VAVirginia Beach, VA
Median Salary$77,009$79,587
Hourly Rate$37.02$38.27
Entry Level (P10)$52,459$52,179
25th Percentile$65,042$61,176
75th Percentile$90,456$85,697
Top Earner (P90)$103,759$102,113
Total Employed9310
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Manassas ($77,009) and Virginia Beach ($79,587) dietitian and nutritionist salaries.ManassasVirginia BeachMedian Salary$77,009$79,587Entry Level (P10)$52,459$52,179Top Earner (P90)$103,759$102,113US Median $79,380

Verdict

Virginia Beach, VA offers better overall compensation for dietitians and nutritionists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Manassas.

The salary gap between Manassas and Virginia Beach is $2,578 (3.35%). Virginia Beach's median is +0.26% compared to the US national median of $79,380.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Manassas spans $51,300,Virginia Beach spans $49,934. Manassas has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Manassas
P10 (Entry)$52,459
P25$65,042
Median$77,009
P75$90,456
P90 (Top)$103,759
Virginia Beach
P10 (Entry)$52,179
P25$61,176
Median$79,587
P75$85,697
P90 (Top)$102,113

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Virginia Beach ($81,260 effective) pays 8.90% more than Manassas ($74,621 effective).

Manassas
Nominal: $77,009
CoL Index: 103.2
Adjusted: $74,621
Virginia Beach
Nominal: $79,587
CoL Index: 97.941
Adjusted: $81,260

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Manassas if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($103,759)
  • You prefer the Virginia area and lifestyle

Choose Virginia Beach if…

  • Higher median salary ($79,587/year)
  • Larger job market (310 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $81,260)
  • You prefer the Virginia area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dietitian and nutritionist salaries in Manassas grew 11.9% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 43.0% growth in Virginia Beach over the same period.

Manassas, VA

+11.9%

$66,225 (2024) → $74,118 (2025)

Virginia Beach, VA

+43.0%

$53,570 (2019) → $76,600 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dietitian and nutritionists more: Manassas or Virginia Beach?

Virginia Beach has a higher median dietitian and nutritionist salary at $79,587/year, compared to Manassas at $77,009/year — a difference of $2,578 (3.35%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Manassas and Virginia Beach?

Manassas dietitian and nutritionists earn $37.02/hr while Virginia Beach hygienists earn $38.27/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Manassas to Virginia Beach as a dietitian and nutritionist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Manassas and Virginia Beach. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Manassas = $74,621, Virginia Beach = $81,260), job availability (9 vs 310 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level dietitian and nutritionists earn in Manassas vs Virginia Beach?

Entry-level (10th percentile) dietitian and nutritionists earn $52,459 in Manassas and $52,179 in Virginia Beach. The Manassas 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