CFChooseField
Healthcare

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.

Visual summary of pay, outlook, skills, interests, and preparation for Dietitians and Nutritionists
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Median pay

$73,850
Median annual pay for Dietitians and Nutritionists.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024
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10-year growth

5.5%
Projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Annual openings

6,200
Projected annual openings, including growth and replacement demand.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Employment

90,900
Estimated U.S. employment for Dietitians and Nutritionists in 2024.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024
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Jobs added or lost

+5,000
Projected numeric employment change from 2024 to 2034.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Entry preparation

Bachelor's degree
Typical additional preparation: Internship/residency.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024 profile
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O*NET occupation profile

What the work involves

Strongest O*NET signals first.

Essential skills

  1. 1Active Listening
  2. 2Critical Thinking
  3. 3Reading Comprehension
  4. 4Speaking
  5. 5Monitoring
  6. 6Writing

Knowledge areas

  1. 1Biology
  2. 2Medicine and Dentistry
  3. 3English Language
  4. 4Therapy and Counseling
  5. 5Customer and Personal Service
  6. 6Psychology

Abilities

  1. 1Deductive Reasoning
  2. 2Inductive Reasoning
  3. 3Oral Comprehension
  4. 4Oral Expression
  5. 5Problem Sensitivity
  6. 6Speech Clarity

Career interests

  1. 1Social
  2. 2Investigative
  3. 3Enterprising
  4. 4Conventional
  5. 5Realistic
  6. 6Artistic

Work styles

  1. 1Attention to Detail
  2. 2Dependability
  3. 3Cooperation
  4. 4Empathy
  5. 5Integrity
  6. 6Social Orientation

Work activities

  1. 1Assisting and Caring for Others
  2. 2Getting Information
  3. 3Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
  4. 4Documenting/Recording Information
  5. 5Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others
  6. 6Working with Computers

Work context

  1. 1E-Mail
  2. 2Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
  3. 3Telephone Conversations
  4. 4Indoors, Environmentally Controlled
  5. 5Contact With Others
  6. 6Freedom to Make Decisions

Representative tasks

  • 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.
  • Record and evaluate patient and family health and food history, including symptoms, environmental toxic exposure, allergies, medication factors, and preventive health-care measures.
  • Develop recipes and menus to address special nutrition needs, such as low glycemic, low histamine, or gluten- or allergen-free.

Software and tools

Microsoft Office software · hot technologyMicrosoft Word · hot technologyMicrosoft PowerPoint · hot technologyMicrosoft Excel · hot technologyMicrosoft Outlook · hot technologyThe Nutrition Company FoodWorksSureQuest Systems Square 1Statistical softwareSkypeReadyTalkPICS DietMate ProfessionalNutrient analysis software

Sources

BLS provides national pay, employment, and projections. O*NET provides skills, interests, preparation, tasks, work context, and tools.

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