Dietitian Pay

Newport News vs Roanoke: Dietitian and Nutritionist Salary (2026)

Compare dietitian and nutritionist salaries between Newport News, VA and Roanoke, VA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Newport News, VA
$79,819
$38.37/hr
Roanoke, VA
$72,501
$34.86/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricNewport News, VARoanoke, VA
Median Salary$79,819$72,501
Hourly Rate$38.37$34.86
Entry Level (P10)$53,101$50,381
25th Percentile$67,040$61,675
75th Percentile$95,702$80,928
Top Earner (P90)$112,346$98,913
Total Employed39100
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Newport News ($79,819) and Roanoke ($72,501) dietitian and nutritionist salaries.Newport NewsRoanokeMedian Salary$79,819$72,501Entry Level (P10)$53,101$50,381Top Earner (P90)$112,346$98,913US Median $79,380

Verdict

Newport News, VA offers better overall compensation for dietitians and nutritionists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Roanoke.

The salary gap between Newport News and Roanoke is $7,318 (10.09%). Newport News's median is +0.55% compared to the US national median of $79,380.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Newport News spans $59,245,Roanoke spans $48,532. Newport News has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Newport News
P10 (Entry)$53,101
P25$67,040
Median$79,819
P75$95,702
P90 (Top)$112,346
Roanoke
P10 (Entry)$50,381
P25$61,675
Median$72,501
P75$80,928
P90 (Top)$98,913

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Roanoke ($77,443 effective) pays 0.13% more than Newport News ($77,344 effective).

Newport News
Nominal: $79,819
CoL Index: 103.2
Adjusted: $77,344
Roanoke
Nominal: $72,501
CoL Index: 93.618
Adjusted: $77,443

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Newport News if…

  • Higher median salary ($79,819/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($112,346)
  • You prefer the Virginia area and lifestyle

Choose Roanoke if…

  • Larger job market (100 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $77,443)
  • You prefer the Virginia area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dietitian and nutritionist salaries in Newport News grew 11.9% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 26.2% growth in Roanoke over the same period.

Newport News, VA

+11.9%

$68,642 (2024) → $76,823 (2025)

Roanoke, VA

+26.2%

$55,310 (2019) → $69,780 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dietitian and nutritionists more: Newport News or Roanoke?

Newport News has a higher median dietitian and nutritionist salary at $79,819/year, compared to Roanoke at $72,501/year — a difference of $7,318 (10.09%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Newport News and Roanoke?

Newport News dietitian and nutritionists earn $38.37/hr while Roanoke hygienists earn $34.86/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Newport News to Roanoke as a dietitian and nutritionist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Newport News and Roanoke. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Newport News = $77,344, Roanoke = $77,443), job availability (39 vs 100 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level dietitian and nutritionists earn in Newport News vs Roanoke?

Entry-level (10th percentile) dietitian and nutritionists earn $53,101 in Newport News and $50,381 in Roanoke. The Newport News 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