Dietitian Pay

Minneapolis vs Moorhead: Dietitian and Nutritionist Salary (2026)

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

Minneapolis, MN
$80,813
$38.85/hr
Moorhead, MN
$75,197
$36.16/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricMinneapolis, MNMoorhead, MN
Median Salary$80,813$75,197
Hourly Rate$38.85$36.16
Entry Level (P10)$66,340$52,138
25th Percentile$70,673$64,186
75th Percentile$88,460$84,653
Top Earner (P90)$97,708$102,204
Total Employed79011
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Minneapolis ($80,813) and Moorhead ($75,197) dietitian and nutritionist salaries.MinneapolisMoorheadMedian Salary$80,813$75,197Entry Level (P10)$66,340$52,138Top Earner (P90)$97,708$102,204US Median $79,380

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Minneapolis and Moorhead is $5,616 (7.47%). Minneapolis's median is +1.81% compared to the US national median of $79,380.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Minneapolis spans $31,368,Moorhead spans $50,066. Moorhead has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced dietitian and nutritionists.

Minneapolis
P10 (Entry)$66,340
P25$70,673
Median$80,813
P75$88,460
P90 (Top)$97,708
Moorhead
P10 (Entry)$52,138
P25$64,186
Median$75,197
P75$84,653
P90 (Top)$102,204

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Minneapolis ($77,095 effective) pays 0.99% more than Moorhead ($76,342 effective).

Minneapolis
Nominal: $80,813
CoL Index: 104.822
Adjusted: $77,095
Moorhead
Nominal: $75,197
CoL Index: 98.5
Adjusted: $76,342

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Minneapolis if…

  • Higher median salary ($80,813/year)
  • Larger job market (790 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $77,095)
  • You prefer the Minnesota area and lifestyle

Choose Moorhead if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($102,204)
  • You prefer the Minnesota area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dietitian and nutritionist salaries in Minneapolis grew 26.7% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 6.1% growth in Moorhead over the same period.

Minneapolis, MN

+26.7%

$61,400 (2019) → $77,780 (2025)

Moorhead, MN

+6.1%

$68,206 (2024) → $72,374 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dietitian and nutritionists more: Minneapolis or Moorhead?

Minneapolis has a higher median dietitian and nutritionist salary at $80,813/year, compared to Moorhead at $75,197/year — a difference of $5,616 (7.47%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Minneapolis and Moorhead?

Minneapolis dietitian and nutritionists earn $38.85/hr while Moorhead hygienists earn $36.16/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Minneapolis to Moorhead as a dietitian and nutritionist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Minneapolis and Moorhead. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Minneapolis = $77,095, Moorhead = $76,342), job availability (790 vs 11 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level dietitian and nutritionists earn in Minneapolis vs Moorhead?

Entry-level (10th percentile) dietitian and nutritionists earn $66,340 in Minneapolis and $52,138 in Moorhead. The Minneapolis 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