Dietitian Pay

Ramsey vs Rochester: Dietitian and Nutritionist Salary (2026)

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

Ramsey, MN
$76,247
$36.66/hr
Rochester, MN
$83,463
$40.13/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricRamsey, MNRochester, MN
Median Salary$76,247$83,463
Hourly Rate$36.66$40.13
Entry Level (P10)$48,238$66,652
25th Percentile$64,675$69,904
75th Percentile$89,857$96,076
Top Earner (P90)$102,934$100,160
Total Employed7120
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Ramsey ($76,247) and Rochester ($83,463) dietitian and nutritionist salaries.RamseyRochesterMedian Salary$76,247$83,463Entry Level (P10)$48,238$66,652Top Earner (P90)$102,934$100,160US Median $79,380

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Ramsey and Rochester is $7,216 (9.46%). Rochester's median is +5.14% compared to the US national median of $79,380.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Ramsey spans $54,696,Rochester spans $33,508. Ramsey has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Ramsey
P10 (Entry)$48,238
P25$64,675
Median$76,247
P75$89,857
P90 (Top)$102,934
Rochester
P10 (Entry)$66,652
P25$69,904
Median$83,463
P75$96,076
P90 (Top)$100,160

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Rochester ($91,898 effective) pays 18.72% more than Ramsey ($77,408 effective).

Ramsey
Nominal: $76,247
CoL Index: 98.5
Adjusted: $77,408
Rochester
Nominal: $83,463
CoL Index: 90.821
Adjusted: $91,898

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Ramsey if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($102,934)
  • You prefer the Minnesota area and lifestyle

Choose Rochester if…

  • Higher median salary ($83,463/year)
  • Larger job market (120 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $91,898)
  • You prefer the Minnesota area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dietitian and nutritionist salaries in Ramsey grew 6.1% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 27.1% growth in Rochester over the same period.

Ramsey, MN

+6.1%

$69,158 (2024) → $73,385 (2025)

Rochester, MN

+27.1%

$63,220 (2019) → $80,330 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Rochester has a higher median dietitian and nutritionist salary at $83,463/year, compared to Ramsey at $76,247/year — a difference of $7,216 (9.46%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Ramsey and Rochester?

Ramsey dietitian and nutritionists earn $36.66/hr while Rochester hygienists earn $40.13/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Ramsey and Rochester. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Ramsey = $77,408, Rochester = $91,898), job availability (7 vs 120 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) dietitian and nutritionists earn $48,238 in Ramsey and $66,652 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