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.
Also called: Administrative Dietitian, Clinical Dietician, Clinical Dietitian, Clinical Nutritionist, Community Dietitian, Consultant Dietitian
Median pay
$76,400
per year, U.S.
Pay range (10th–90th)
$49,090 – $103,720
People employed
77,570
Holland code
SIE
Social · Investigative · Enterprising
Updated October 2026 · Data: O*NET 31.0 and BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
Is this career right for you?
These are the things that stand out in this job compared with other U.S. jobs (O*NET 31.0 work context). Answer honestly.
- 1.Do you want variety, with new tasks often?
- 2.Do you want a lot of freedom to make your own decisions?
- 3.Do you want to stay at 40 hours a week or less?
- 4.Do you prefer doing your own work rather than directing others?
The hard parts
- Tight deadlines are common
- Exposure to disease or infection
Dietitians and Nutritionists pay by state
Highest-paying states
Annual median pay by state (50 states and DC with published data). Source: BLS OEWS May 2025.
What dietitians and nutritionists do
- 01Assess nutritional needs, diet restrictions, and current health plans to develop and implement dietary-care plans and provide nutritional counseling.
- 02Evaluate laboratory tests in preparing nutrition recommendations.
- 03Counsel individuals and groups on basic rules of good nutrition, healthy eating habits, and nutrition monitoring to improve their quality of life.
- 04Advise patients and their families on nutritional principles, dietary plans, diet modifications, and food selection and preparation.
- 05Incorporate patient cultural, ethnic, or religious preferences and needs in the development of nutrition plans.
- 06Consult with physicians and health care personnel to determine nutritional needs and diet restrictions of patient or client.
Skills that matter most
- Critical Thinking
- Active Listening
- Reading Comprehension
- Speaking
- Monitoring
- Writing
Knowledge
- Biology
- Medicine and Dentistry
- English Language
- Therapy and Counseling
- Customer and Personal Service
Work styles that stand out
- Dependability
- Attention to Detail
- Integrity
- Intellectual Curiosity
- Cooperation
Education and first steps
Share of workers by required education, as reported to O*NET.
How people get started
- Usually needs a graduate degree (O*NET Job Zone 5).
- Related work experience: over 1 year, up to and including 2 years.
- On-the-job training: anything beyond short demonstration, up to and including 1 month.
- A professional certification is often expected.
Most common answers from O*NET 31.0 Education, Training and Experience.
Interest fit (Holland code)
O*NET occupational interest scores, scale 1–7. Take the Free Career Test to compare with your own.
Career changes
Change from dietitians and nutritionists
- Genetic Counselors87% · +31%
- Nursing Instructors and Teachers, Postsecondary81% · +5%
- Recreation and Fitness Studies Teachers, Postsecondary79% · +1%
- Health Education Specialists78% · −16%
- Psychology Teachers, Postsecondary77% · +5%
Change into dietitians and nutritionists
Jobs whose skills carry over best (skill match, their median pay).
- Nursing Instructors and Teachers, Postsecondary81% · $80,250
- Clinical Neuropsychologists80% · $110,840
- Health Education Specialists80% · $64,070
- Neuropsychologists79% · $110,840
- Recreation and Fitness Studies Teachers, Postsecondary79% · $77,270
Majors that lead here
- Foods, Nutrition, and Wellness Studies, General
- Human Nutrition
- Foodservice Systems Administration/Management
- Foods, Nutrition, and Related Services, Other
- Nutrition Sciences
- Dietetics/Dietitian
- Clinical Nutrition/Nutritionist
- Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition Services, Other
From the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk.