All About Dietitians and Nutritionists
Job Description & Duties Plan and conduct food service or nutritional programs to assist in the promotion of health and control of disease. May supervise activities of a department providing quantity food services, counsel individuals, or conduct nutritional research.
Life As a Dietitian or Nutritionist
- Inspect meals served for conformance to prescribed diets and standards of palatability and appearance.
- Organize, develop, analyze, test, and prepare special meals, such as low-fat, low-cholesterol, or chemical-free meals.
- Assess nutritional needs, diet restrictions and current health plans to develop and implement dietary-care plans and provide nutritional counseling.
- Write research reports and other publications to document and communicate research findings.
- Coordinate diet counseling services.
- Manage quantity food service departments or clinical and community nutrition services.
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Dietitian or Nutritionist Skills
These are the skills Dietitians and Nutritionists say are the most useful in their careers:
Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Writing: Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Related Job Titles for this Occupation:
- Therapeutic Dietitian
- Dietary Aide
- Dietist
- Holistic Nutritionist
- Pediatric Dietician
Dietitian or Nutritionist Job Outlook
In 2016, there was an estimated number of 68,000 jobs in the United States for Dietitian or Nutritionist. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 14.6% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 9,900 new jobs for Dietitian or Nutritionist by 2026. The BLS estimates 5,400 yearly job openings in this field.
The states with the most job growth for Dietitian or Nutritionist are Colorado, Arizona, and Utah. Watch out if you plan on working in Rhode Island, Maine, or Illinois. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Do Dietitians and Nutritionists Make A Lot Of Money?
The salary for Dietitians and Nutritionists ranges between about $38,460 and $84,610 a year.
Dietitians and Nutritionists who work in California, Hawaii, or Connecticut, make the highest salaries.
How much do Dietitians and Nutritionists make in different U.S. states?
| State | Annual Mean Salary |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $55,580 |
| Alaska | $71,210 |
| Arizona | $55,060 |
| Arkansas | $58,390 |
| California | $74,060 |
| Colorado | $60,500 |
| Connecticut | $69,610 |
| Delaware | $64,590 |
| District of Columbia | $65,490 |
| Florida | $61,710 |
| Georgia | $54,550 |
| Hawaii | $69,050 |
| Idaho | $53,420 |
| Illinois | $58,020 |
| Indiana | $56,620 |
| Iowa | $47,580 |
| Kansas | $57,300 |
| Kentucky | $57,980 |
| Louisiana | $56,440 |
| Maine | $58,310 |
| Maryland | $68,760 |
| Massachusetts | $64,860 |
| Michigan | $57,000 |
| Minnesota | $61,820 |
| Mississippi | $51,690 |
| Missouri | $54,030 |
| Montana | $50,650 |
| Nebraska | $55,900 |
| Nevada | $65,710 |
| New Hampshire | $60,900 |
| New Jersey | $68,810 |
| New Mexico | $54,300 |
| New York | $68,050 |
| North Carolina | $54,810 |
| North Dakota | $56,240 |
| Ohio | $57,500 |
| Oklahoma | $56,100 |
| Oregon | $68,590 |
| Pennsylvania | $56,440 |
| Rhode Island | $61,870 |
| South Carolina | $53,690 |
| South Dakota | $55,680 |
| Tennessee | $55,120 |
| Texas | $56,550 |
| Utah | $56,390 |
| Vermont | $57,640 |
| Virginia | $61,550 |
| Washington | $65,110 |
| West Virginia | $55,180 |
| Wisconsin | $55,760 |
| Wyoming | $63,120 |
Tools & Technologies Used by Dietitians and Nutritionists
Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Dietitians and Nutritionists:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Outlook
- Web browser software
- Word processing software
- Spreadsheet software
- Database software
- Graphics software
- Google Drive
- Statistical software
- ValuSoft MasterCook
- Axxya Systems Nutritionist Pro
- Aurora FoodPro
- ESHA Research The Food Processor
- The Nutrition Company FoodWorks
- BioEx Systems Nutrition Maker Plus
- Skype
- CyberSoft NutriBase
Becoming a Dietitian or Nutritionist
Are there Dietitians and Nutritionists education requirements?
How many years of work experience do I need?
Dietitians and Nutritionists Sector
Below are examples of industries where Dietitians and Nutritionists work:
Related Careers
Those interested in being a Dietitian or Nutritionist may also be interested in:
References:
Image Credit: Senior Airman Brittany Paerschke-O’Brien via Public domain
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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