Dietitian Pay

Milwaukee vs River Falls: Dietitian and Nutritionist Salary (2026)

Compare dietitian and nutritionist salaries between Milwaukee, WI and River Falls, WI. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Milwaukee, WI
$80,689
$38.80/hr
River Falls, WI
$73,673
$35.42/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricMilwaukee, WIRiver Falls, WI
Median Salary$80,689$73,673
Hourly Rate$38.80$35.42
Entry Level (P10)$63,898$47,817
25th Percentile$68,345$63,218
75th Percentile$88,284$85,197
Top Earner (P90)$95,817$96,206
Total Employed3605
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Milwaukee ($80,689) and River Falls ($73,673) dietitian and nutritionist salaries.MilwaukeeRiver FallsMedian Salary$80,689$73,673Entry Level (P10)$63,898$47,817Top Earner (P90)$95,817$96,206US Median $79,380

Verdict

Milwaukee, WI offers better overall compensation for dietitians and nutritionists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to River Falls.

The salary gap between Milwaukee and River Falls is $7,016 (9.52%). Milwaukee's median is +1.65% compared to the US national median of $79,380.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Milwaukee spans $31,919,River Falls spans $48,389. River Falls has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced dietitian and nutritionists.

Milwaukee
P10 (Entry)$63,898
P25$68,345
Median$80,689
P75$88,284
P90 (Top)$95,817
River Falls
P10 (Entry)$47,817
P25$63,218
Median$73,673
P75$85,197
P90 (Top)$96,206

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Milwaukee ($83,239 effective) pays 5.53% more than River Falls ($78,879 effective).

Milwaukee
Nominal: $80,689
CoL Index: 96.937
Adjusted: $83,239
River Falls
Nominal: $73,673
CoL Index: 93.4
Adjusted: $78,879

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Milwaukee if…

  • Higher median salary ($80,689/year)
  • Larger job market (360 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $83,239)
  • You prefer the Wisconsin area and lifestyle

Choose River Falls if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($96,206)
  • You prefer the Wisconsin area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dietitian and nutritionist salaries in Milwaukee grew 35.4% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 22.1% growth in River Falls over the same period.

Milwaukee, WI

+35.4%

$57,350 (2019) → $77,660 (2025)

River Falls, WI

+22.1%

$58,087 (2024) → $70,908 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dietitian and nutritionists more: Milwaukee or River Falls?

Milwaukee has a higher median dietitian and nutritionist salary at $80,689/year, compared to River Falls at $73,673/year — a difference of $7,016 (9.52%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Milwaukee and River Falls?

Milwaukee dietitian and nutritionists earn $38.80/hr while River Falls hygienists earn $35.42/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Milwaukee to River Falls as a dietitian and nutritionist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Milwaukee and River Falls. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Milwaukee = $83,239, River Falls = $78,879), job availability (360 vs 5 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level dietitian and nutritionists earn in Milwaukee vs River Falls?

Entry-level (10th percentile) dietitian and nutritionists earn $63,898 in Milwaukee and $47,817 in River Falls. The Milwaukee 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