Dietitian Pay

Newport News vs Virginia Beach: Dietitian and Nutritionist Salary (2026)

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

Newport News, VA
$79,819
$38.37/hr
Virginia Beach, VA
$79,587
$38.27/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricNewport News, VAVirginia Beach, VA
Median Salary$79,819$79,587
Hourly Rate$38.37$38.27
Entry Level (P10)$53,101$52,179
25th Percentile$67,040$61,176
75th Percentile$95,702$85,697
Top Earner (P90)$112,346$102,113
Total Employed39310
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Newport News ($79,819) and Virginia Beach ($79,587) dietitian and nutritionist salaries.Newport NewsVirginia BeachMedian Salary$79,819$79,587Entry Level (P10)$53,101$52,179Top Earner (P90)$112,346$102,113US Median $79,380

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Newport News and Virginia Beach is $232 (0.29%). 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,Virginia Beach spans $49,934. 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
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 5.06% more than Newport News ($77,344 effective).

Newport News
Nominal: $79,819
CoL Index: 103.2
Adjusted: $77,344
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 Newport News if…

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

Choose Virginia Beach if…

  • 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 Newport News grew 11.9% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 43.0% growth in Virginia Beach over the same period.

Newport News, VA

+11.9%

$68,642 (2024) → $76,823 (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: Newport News or Virginia Beach?

Newport News has a higher median dietitian and nutritionist salary at $79,819/year, compared to Virginia Beach at $79,587/year — a difference of $232 (0.29%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Newport News and Virginia Beach?

Newport News dietitian and nutritionists earn $38.37/hr while Virginia Beach hygienists earn $38.27/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Newport News and Virginia Beach. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Newport News = $77,344, Virginia Beach = $81,260), job availability (39 vs 310 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) dietitian and nutritionists earn $53,101 in Newport News and $52,179 in Virginia Beach. 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