Dietitian Pay

Moorhead vs St. Paul: Dietitian and Nutritionist Salary (2026)

Compare dietitian and nutritionist salaries between Moorhead, MN and St. Paul, MN. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Moorhead, MN
$75,197
$36.16/hr
St. Paul, MN
$80,002
$38.46/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricMoorhead, MNSt. Paul, MN
Median Salary$75,197$80,002
Hourly Rate$36.16$38.46
Entry Level (P10)$52,138$50,746
25th Percentile$64,186$65,492
75th Percentile$84,653$93,427
Top Earner (P90)$102,204$117,663
Total Employed1180
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Moorhead ($75,197) and St. Paul ($80,002) dietitian and nutritionist salaries.MoorheadSt. PaulMedian Salary$75,197$80,002Entry Level (P10)$52,138$50,746Top Earner (P90)$102,204$117,663US Median $79,380

Verdict

St. Paul, MN offers better overall compensation for dietitians and nutritionists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Moorhead.

The salary gap between Moorhead and St. Paul is $4,805 (6.39%). St. Paul's median is +0.78% compared to the US national median of $79,380.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Moorhead spans $50,066,St. Paul spans $66,917. St. Paul has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced dietitian and nutritionists.

Moorhead
P10 (Entry)$52,138
P25$64,186
Median$75,197
P75$84,653
P90 (Top)$102,204
St. Paul
P10 (Entry)$50,746
P25$65,492
Median$80,002
P75$93,427
P90 (Top)$117,663

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, St. Paul ($81,220 effective) pays 6.39% more than Moorhead ($76,342 effective).

Moorhead
Nominal: $75,197
CoL Index: 98.5
Adjusted: $76,342
St. Paul
Nominal: $80,002
CoL Index: 98.5
Adjusted: $81,220

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Moorhead if…

  • You prefer the Minnesota area and lifestyle

Choose St. Paul if…

  • Higher median salary ($80,002/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($117,663)
  • Larger job market (80 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $81,220)
  • You prefer the Minnesota area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dietitian and nutritionist salaries in Moorhead grew 6.1% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 4.5% growth in St. Paul over the same period.

Moorhead, MN

+6.1%

$68,206 (2024) → $72,374 (2025)

St. Paul, MN

+4.5%

$73,718 (2024) → $76,999 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dietitian and nutritionists more: Moorhead or St. Paul?

St. Paul has a higher median dietitian and nutritionist salary at $80,002/year, compared to Moorhead at $75,197/year — a difference of $4,805 (6.39%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Moorhead and St. Paul?

Moorhead dietitian and nutritionists earn $36.16/hr while St. Paul hygienists earn $38.46/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Moorhead to St. Paul as a dietitian and nutritionist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Moorhead and St. Paul. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Moorhead = $76,342, St. Paul = $81,220), job availability (11 vs 80 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level dietitian and nutritionists earn in Moorhead vs St. Paul?

Entry-level (10th percentile) dietitian and nutritionists earn $52,138 in Moorhead and $50,746 in St. Paul. The Moorhead 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