Dietitian Pay

St. Cloud vs St. Paul: Dietitian and Nutritionist Salary (2026)

Compare dietitian and nutritionist salaries between St. Cloud, MN and St. Paul, MN. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

St. Cloud, MN
$84,803
$40.77/hr
St. Paul, MN
$80,002
$38.46/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricSt. Cloud, MNSt. Paul, MN
Median Salary$84,803$80,002
Hourly Rate$40.77$38.46
Entry Level (P10)$68,034$50,746
25th Percentile$68,034$65,492
75th Percentile$92,107$93,427
Top Earner (P90)$102,206$117,663
Total Employed6080
Side-by-side bar chart comparing St. Cloud ($84,803) and St. Paul ($80,002) dietitian and nutritionist salaries.St. CloudSt. PaulMedian Salary$84,803$80,002Entry Level (P10)$68,034$50,746Top Earner (P90)$102,206$117,663US Median $79,380

Verdict

St. Cloud and St. Paul are closely matched on overall dietitian and nutritionist compensation, each winning on different metrics.

The salary gap between St. Cloud and St. Paul is $4,801 (6.00%). St. Cloud's median is +6.83% compared to the US national median of $79,380.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in St. Cloud spans $34,172,St. Paul spans $66,917. St. Paul has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced dietitian and nutritionists.

St. Cloud
P10 (Entry)$68,034
P25$68,034
Median$84,803
P75$92,107
P90 (Top)$102,206
St. Paul
P10 (Entry)$50,746
P25$65,492
Median$80,002
P75$93,427
P90 (Top)$117,663

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, St. Cloud ($96,772 effective) pays 19.15% more than St. Paul ($81,220 effective).

St. Cloud
Nominal: $84,803
CoL Index: 87.632
Adjusted: $96,772
St. Paul
Nominal: $80,002
CoL Index: 98.5
Adjusted: $81,220

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose St. Cloud if…

  • Higher median salary ($84,803/year)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $96,772)
  • You prefer the Minnesota area and lifestyle

Choose St. Paul if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($117,663)
  • Larger job market (80 employed)
  • You prefer the Minnesota area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dietitian and nutritionist salaries in St. Cloud grew 21.6% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 4.5% growth in St. Paul over the same period.

St. Cloud, MN

+21.6%

$67,140 (2019) → $81,620 (2025)

St. Paul, MN

+4.5%

$73,718 (2024) → $76,999 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dietitian and nutritionists more: St. Cloud or St. Paul?

St. Cloud has a higher median dietitian and nutritionist salary at $84,803/year, compared to St. Paul at $80,002/year — a difference of $4,801 (6.00%).

What is the hourly rate difference between St. Cloud and St. Paul?

St. Cloud dietitian and nutritionists earn $40.77/hr while St. Paul hygienists earn $38.46/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from St. Cloud to St. Paul as a dietitian and nutritionist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing St. Cloud and St. Paul. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: St. Cloud = $96,772, St. Paul = $81,220), job availability (60 vs 80 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level dietitian and nutritionists earn in St. Cloud vs St. Paul?

Entry-level (10th percentile) dietitian and nutritionists earn $68,034 in St. Cloud and $50,746 in St. Paul. The St. Cloud 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