What You Need to Know About Dietitian or Nutritionist
Dietitian or Nutritionist Example 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.
A Day in the Life of a Dietitian or Nutritionist
- Develop policies for food service or nutritional programs to assist in health promotion and disease control.
- Confer with design, building, and equipment personnel to plan for construction and remodeling of food service units.
- Advise food service managers and organizations on sanitation, safety procedures, menu development, budgeting, and planning to assist with establishment, operation, and evaluation of food service facilities and nutrition programs.
- Advise patients and their families on nutritional principles, dietary plans, diet modifications, and food selection and preparation.
- Test new food products and equipment.
- Develop curriculum and prepare manuals, visual aids, course outlines, and other materials used in teaching.
Things a Dietitian or Nutritionist Should Know How to Do
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
- Menu Planner
- Clinical Dietitian
- Clinical Nutrition Manager
- Pediatric Clinical Dietician
- Food Adviser
Dietitian or Nutritionist Job Outlook
There were about 68,000 jobs for Dietitian or Nutritionist in 2016 (in the United States). 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. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 5,400 job openings in this field each year.
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.
Salary for a Dietitian or Nutritionist
The typical yearly salary for Dietitians and Nutritionists is somewhere between $38,460 and $84,610.
Dietitians and Nutritionists who work in California, Hawaii, or Connecticut, make the highest salaries.
How much do Dietitians and Nutritionists make in each U.S. state?
| 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
How to Become a Dietitian or Nutritionist
Education needed to be a Dietitian or Nutritionist:
How Long Does it Take to Become a Dietitian or Nutritionist?
Where Dietitians and Nutritionists Are Employed
The table below shows some of the most common industries where those employed in this career field work.
Similar Careers
Those thinking about becoming a Dietitian or Nutritionist might also be interested in the following careers:
References:
Image Credit: Senior Airman Brittany Paerschke-O’Brien via Public domain
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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