Dietitian Pay

Rochester vs Savage: Dietitian and Nutritionist Salary (2026)

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

Rochester, MN
$83,463
$40.13/hr
Savage, MN
$75,598
$36.34/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricRochester, MNSavage, MN
Median Salary$83,463$75,598
Hourly Rate$40.13$36.34
Entry Level (P10)$66,652$53,074
25th Percentile$69,904$65,015
75th Percentile$96,076$88,298
Top Earner (P90)$100,160$101,035
Total Employed1209
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Rochester ($83,463) and Savage ($75,598) dietitian and nutritionist salaries.RochesterSavageMedian Salary$83,463$75,598Entry Level (P10)$66,652$53,074Top Earner (P90)$100,160$101,035US Median $79,380

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Rochester and Savage is $7,865 (10.40%). 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 Rochester spans $33,508,Savage spans $47,961. Savage has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced dietitian and nutritionists.

Rochester
P10 (Entry)$66,652
P25$69,904
Median$83,463
P75$96,076
P90 (Top)$100,160
Savage
P10 (Entry)$53,074
P25$65,015
Median$75,598
P75$88,298
P90 (Top)$101,035

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Rochester ($91,898 effective) pays 19.74% more than Savage ($76,749 effective).

Rochester
Nominal: $83,463
CoL Index: 90.821
Adjusted: $91,898
Savage
Nominal: $75,598
CoL Index: 98.5
Adjusted: $76,749

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

Which City Is Right for You?

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

Choose Savage if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($101,035)
  • You prefer the Minnesota area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dietitian and nutritionist salaries in Rochester grew 27.1% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 6.1% growth in Savage over the same period.

Rochester, MN

+27.1%

$63,220 (2019) → $80,330 (2025)

Savage, MN

+6.1%

$68,570 (2024) → $72,760 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Rochester has a higher median dietitian and nutritionist salary at $83,463/year, compared to Savage at $75,598/year — a difference of $7,865 (10.40%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Rochester and Savage?

Rochester dietitian and nutritionists earn $40.13/hr while Savage hygienists earn $36.34/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Rochester and Savage. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Rochester = $91,898, Savage = $76,749), job availability (120 vs 9 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) dietitian and nutritionists earn $66,652 in Rochester and $53,074 in Savage. 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