Dietitian Pay

Rochester vs Troy: Dietitian and Nutritionist Salary (2026)

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

Rochester, NY
$75,857
$36.47/hr
Troy, NY
$83,844
$40.31/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricRochester, NYTroy, NY
Median Salary$75,857$83,844
Hourly Rate$36.47$40.31
Entry Level (P10)$66,018$53,481
25th Percentile$68,595$68,305
75th Percentile$82,995$98,556
Top Earner (P90)$94,248$114,061
Total Employed31011
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Rochester ($75,857) and Troy ($83,844) dietitian and nutritionist salaries.RochesterTroyMedian Salary$75,857$83,844Entry Level (P10)$66,018$53,481Top Earner (P90)$94,248$114,061US Median $79,380

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Rochester and Troy is $7,987 (10.53%). Troy's median is +5.62% compared to the US national median of $79,380.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Rochester spans $28,230,Troy spans $60,580. Troy has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced dietitian and nutritionists.

Rochester
P10 (Entry)$66,018
P25$68,595
Median$75,857
P75$82,995
P90 (Top)$94,248
Troy
P10 (Entry)$53,481
P25$68,305
Median$83,844
P75$98,556
P90 (Top)$114,061

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Rochester ($78,175 effective) pays 8.06% more than Troy ($72,342 effective).

Rochester
Nominal: $75,857
CoL Index: 97.035
Adjusted: $78,175
Troy
Nominal: $83,844
CoL Index: 115.9
Adjusted: $72,342

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Rochester if…

  • Larger job market (310 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $78,175)
  • You prefer the New York area and lifestyle

Choose Troy if…

  • Higher median salary ($83,844/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($114,061)
  • You prefer the New York area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dietitian and nutritionist salaries in Rochester grew 26.0% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -11.6% growth in Troy over the same period.

Rochester, NY

+26.0%

$57,940 (2019) → $73,010 (2025)

Troy, NY

+-11.6%

$91,270 (2024) → $80,697 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Troy has a higher median dietitian and nutritionist salary at $83,844/year, compared to Rochester at $75,857/year — a difference of $7,987 (10.53%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Rochester and Troy?

Rochester dietitian and nutritionists earn $36.47/hr while Troy hygienists earn $40.31/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Rochester and Troy. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Rochester = $78,175, Troy = $72,342), job availability (310 vs 11 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) dietitian and nutritionists earn $66,018 in Rochester and $53,481 in Troy. 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