Dietitians and Nutritionists
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.
What it pays
Dietitians and Nutritionists earn a median of $36.73/hr — about $76,500 a year. The lowest-paid 10% earn $23.60/hr; the top 10% earn $49.87/hr. (Annual figures are approximate: hourly × 2,080.)
Dietitians and Nutritionists earn a median of $36.73/hr — about $76,500 a year. The lowest-paid 10% earn $23.60/hr; the top 10% earn $49.87/hr. (Annual figures are approximate: hourly × 2,080.)
What you'd actually do
- Assess nutritional needs, diet restrictions, and current health plans to develop and implement dietary-care plans and provide nutritional counseling.
- Evaluate laboratory tests in preparing nutrition recommendations.
- Counsel individuals and groups on basic rules of good nutrition, healthy eating habits, and nutrition monitoring to improve their quality of life.
- Advise patients and their families on nutritional principles, dietary plans, diet modifications, and food selection and preparation.
- Incorporate patient cultural, ethnic, or religious preferences and needs in the development of nutrition plans.
- Consult with physicians and health care personnel to determine nutritional needs and diet restrictions of patient or client.
How you get there
Typical entry-level education: Bachelor's degree. Overall preparation: extensive preparation (Job Zone 5 of 5).
The feel of the work
The work is mostly indoors; you're around people constantly; it rewards working independently. (Compared against the other 818 careers in the guide.)
Working for yourself
About 12.2% of dietitians and nutritionists are self-employed.
Who it tends to fit
This work tends to fit people who are people-focused, analytical and take-charge.
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Quick questions
- How much does a dietitians and nutritionist make?
- The median pay is $36.73 per hour — roughly $76,500 a year, with the real range running from about $23.60/hr (10th percentile) to $49.87/hr (90th percentile). Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
- Do you need a degree to be a dietitians and nutritionist?
- The typical entry-level education is: Bachelor's degree. Overall preparation level: extensive preparation (Job Zone 5 of 5).
- What does a dietitians and nutritionist actually do all day?
- Assess nutritional needs, diet restrictions, and current health plans to develop and implement dietary-care plans and provide nutritional counseling. Evaluate laboratory tests in preparing nutrition recommendations. Counsel individuals and groups on basic rules of good nutrition, healthy eating habits, and nutrition monitoring to improve their quality of life.
Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS. Tasks & interests: O*NET. Career pathways shown in the app are draft archetypes — verify before relying on them. Trailhead is a free career guide for students — honest numbers, no hype.
Trailhead is operated by FLEXVermont LLC. It is intended for high-school students age 13 and older, and the educators and families who support them, and is not directed to children under 13. Trailhead is provided for general informational and educational purposes only. It does not offer professional, financial, or career advice, and its wage figures and pathways are estimates that may not fit your situation — they should not be relied on as the sole basis for any decision.
Trailhead is operated by FLEXVermont LLC. It is intended for high-school students age 13 and older, and the educators and families who support them, and is not directed to children under 13. Trailhead is provided for general informational and educational purposes only. It does not offer professional, financial, or career advice, and its wage figures and pathways are estimates that may not fit your situation — they should not be relied on as the sole basis for any decision.