What You Need to Know About Dietitian or Nutritionist
Career Description 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 Do Dietitians and Nutritionists Do On a Daily Basis?
- 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.
- Coordinate recipe development and standardization and develop new menus for independent food service operations.
- Purchase food in accordance with health and safety codes.
- Plan, conduct, and evaluate dietary, nutritional, and epidemiological research.
- Inspect meals served for conformance to prescribed diets and standards of palatability and appearance.
- Assess nutritional needs, diet restrictions and current health plans to develop and implement dietary-care plans and provide nutritional counseling.
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What Skills Do You Need to Work as a Dietitian or Nutritionist?
Below is a list of the skills most Dietitians and Nutritionists say are important on the job.
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
- Diet Counselor
- Nutritionist
- Diet Therapist
- Sports Nutritionist
- Food Supervisor
What Kind of Dietitian or Nutritionist Job Opportunities Are There?
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. 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.
Dietitian or Nutritionist Average Salary
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 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 |
What Tools do Dietitians and Nutritionists Use?
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
Are there Dietitians and Nutritionists education requirements?
What work experience do I need to become a Dietitian or Nutritionist?
Where Dietitians and Nutritionists Are Employed
Dietitians and Nutritionists work in the following industries:
Other Jobs You May be Interested In
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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