Dietitian Pay

Roanoke vs Winchester: Dietitian and Nutritionist Salary (2026)

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

Roanoke, VA
$72,501
$34.86/hr
Winchester, VA
$82,694
$39.75/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricRoanoke, VAWinchester, VA
Median Salary$72,501$82,694
Hourly Rate$34.86$39.75
Entry Level (P10)$50,381$66,569
25th Percentile$61,675$76,512
75th Percentile$80,928$108,544
Top Earner (P90)$98,913$108,544
Total Employed10040
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Roanoke ($72,501) and Winchester ($82,694) dietitian and nutritionist salaries.RoanokeWinchesterMedian Salary$72,501$82,694Entry Level (P10)$50,381$66,569Top Earner (P90)$98,913$108,544US Median $79,380

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Roanoke and Winchester is $10,193 (14.06%). Winchester's median is +4.17% compared to the US national median of $79,380.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Roanoke spans $48,532,Winchester spans $41,975. Roanoke has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Roanoke
P10 (Entry)$50,381
P25$61,675
Median$72,501
P75$80,928
P90 (Top)$98,913
Winchester
P10 (Entry)$66,569
P25$76,512
Median$82,694
P75$108,544
P90 (Top)$108,544

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Winchester ($85,738 effective) pays 10.71% more than Roanoke ($77,443 effective).

Roanoke
Nominal: $72,501
CoL Index: 93.618
Adjusted: $77,443
Winchester
Nominal: $82,694
CoL Index: 96.45
Adjusted: $85,738

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Roanoke if…

  • Larger job market (100 employed)
  • You prefer the Virginia area and lifestyle

Choose Winchester if…

  • Higher median salary ($82,694/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($108,544)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $85,738)
  • You prefer the Virginia area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dietitian and nutritionist salaries in Roanoke grew 26.2% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 19.4% growth in Winchester over the same period.

Roanoke, VA

+26.2%

$55,310 (2019) → $69,780 (2025)

Winchester, VA

+19.4%

$66,660 (2022) → $79,590 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dietitian and nutritionists more: Roanoke or Winchester?

Winchester has a higher median dietitian and nutritionist salary at $82,694/year, compared to Roanoke at $72,501/year — a difference of $10,193 (14.06%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Roanoke and Winchester?

Roanoke dietitian and nutritionists earn $34.86/hr while Winchester hygienists earn $39.75/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Roanoke and Winchester. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Roanoke = $77,443, Winchester = $85,738), job availability (100 vs 40 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) dietitian and nutritionists earn $50,381 in Roanoke and $66,569 in Winchester. The Winchester 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